soda water

Orange Basil Rum Punch

Feeling glum?

Well there is no better spirit than rum to lift your "spirits". It can bring a little sunshine to that dark mood of yours.

Now, I have spent quite a bit of time in the Caribbean. So I know a thing or two about rum. First off it's not just for coke. Rum is very versatile. People don't really believe me when I say that, but it's true.

It's made from cane sugar and is the drink of the islands. It comes in many shades, from clear to almost black. Each offering something special. This chromatic diversity is a big part of its versatility, because the color affects flavor. It makes rum work in so many situations.

The color depends on the aging process and how caramelized the cane is during processing. Rum has a complex nose and is usually described as having fruity aromas.  There should be a good balance between alcohol, sugar and spice. The flavors often run the gamut. White rums can be soft and floral. The golden hues bring honey and vanilla to the mouth, with a nice balance of tropical fruit flavors like banana and orange. The very dark rums can taste like roasted toffee. Good rum should be smooth and soft. Like velvet. Which means tropical Technicolor machinations are not the only mix that works. In fact some rums should be sipped and given the same respect as a fine cognac.

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Orange Basil Rum Punch

Orange Basil Rum Punch
Prep time: 60
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 2 c sugar
  • 1 c water
  • 1 c packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1 (750ml) bottle white rum
  • 2 oranges, sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 0.5 c fresh lime juice
  • 1 c loose basil leaves
  • 0 club soda to taste
  • 0 garnish of your choice

Directions

Basil Syrup: Place the sugar and the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to help dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved remove the syrup from the heat. Add the basil leaves to the saucepan. Allow the syrup to sit for at least 1 hour before straining through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the basil leaves. Store the syrup in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Syrup will keep, refrigerated, for several weeks. Cocktail: In a large pitcher combine basil syrup, rum, orange slices, and lime juice. Let the mixture sit for about one hour so that the flavors may come together. Just before serving add the basil leaves to the pitcher. To Serve: Fill a festive party glass with ice cubes and pour about 6 ounces of the rum mixture into the glass. Top with club soda to taste. Garnish with sprigs of basil, orange or lime slices according to your preference.
silver fizz

I am still trying out classic gin cocktails.

Today it is the Gin Fizz, and its many hybrids. The Gin Fizz is the best-known cocktail in the full Fizz family. It contains gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. It is served in a 6-8 oz highball glass with precisely two ice cubes. That's right, 2 ice cubes! More ice cubes means we are talking about one of the Gin Fizz offshoots of which I will try and discuss several.

Now the ingredients in a Gin Fizz may bring to mind a Tom Collins. Which is a type of sparkling lemonade made from gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. The confusion is understandable, because the ingredient list is exactly the same. The only difference between the two drinks I can find is proportion and process.

But, if you want to get technical, the original Tom Collins was strictly made with "Old Tom Gin". Which is a sweetened variety of gin. It is properly served in a tapered 10-14 oz glass, with plenty of ice.

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