Don’t call it a comeback, but rum is having a moment. Mixologists are embracing the signature spirit of pirates of days past and bringing it firmly into the future. As we embrace the waning days of summer, kick back with one of these rum cocktails to help you savor the season.
The Tides Beach Club, Kennebunkport, Maine
Tiki-themed rum is served in whimsical glasses — along with intoxicating views of Goose Rocks Beach. Dive into the shareable Urchin Bowl made with Cruzan rum, Flor de Caña, Laird’s applejack brandy, pineapple, passionfruit, citrus, and orgeat and served in a handmade, ceramic urchin, it serves two to four mermaids. Make a reservation at The Tides Beach Club.
Pilar Cuban Eatery, Brooklyn, New York
Chef-owner Ricardo Barreras brings his rum-centric cocktail program to Bed Stuy. Rum from 10 Caribbean and Latin American countries is served neat, in cocktails, or the Cuban way — as a Saoco with coconut water and lime. The Flor de Cana Negroni with Flor de Caña, Campari, and Carpano is a popular sip. Make a reservation at Pilar Cuban Eatery.
Havana 1957—Espanola Way, Miami Beach, Florida
The name is your first clue that authentic Cuban mojitos are poured here. The signature sip is made with fresh spearmint leaves, lime halves, simple syrup, Bacardi Light, club soda, and ice muddled together, shaken, and garnished with a lime wedge, mint sprig, and fresh sugarcane. Salud! Make a reservation at Havana 1957-Espanola Way.
ArtBar, Cambridge, Boston, Massachusetts
Rum with a view. For a healthier summer sip, order the Kombucha Mojito and you’ll get a cocktail made with Real McCoy rum, Maca-Berry kombucha, lime juice, and organic raw syrup, along with a stirring view of all the boating action on the Charles River. Make a reservation at ArtBar.
Bill’s Bar and Burger, New York, New York
Five curated rum sips are served here, including the Tide is High, made with Bacardi banana rum, Captain Morgan coconut rum, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, Myer’s Dark rum, Liber & Co. pineapple gum syrup, Angostura bitters, and ginger beer. It’s available at both Manhattan locations. Make a reservation at Bill’s Bar and Burger.
The Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois
Aye, pure liquid treasure (without the skull and bones), the Captain Bluebeard cocktail stars Ron Barcelo anejo rum, amaro montenegro, housemade blueberry/basil shrub, lemon, pineapple, and tiki bitters served over crushed ice. Make a reservation at The Dearborn Tavern.
Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida
Chocolate bitters bring out the rum in the Zacapa Old Fashioned, the bar’s signature sip that pays homage to Miami’s Latino roots. It’s made with Ron Zacapa 23 Rum, simple syrup, and chocolate bitters and is crowned with a grapefruit peel and shaved dark chocolate. Make a reservation at Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
Bambara, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Victory in a glass. The Three Dots & a Dash cocktail is made with Rhum Clemente VSOP, Privateer Amber Rum, tiki spice, honey, and citrus—and is served with three cherries and a pineapple spear, meant to represent Morse code’s three dots and a dash, which translates to the letter V for Victory. Make a reservation at Bambara.
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Laurie Bain Wilson is a Boston-based journalist, author, and essayist who writes often about travel, food, and baseball. Find her on Twitter @laurieheather.
Photo credits: Michael Tulipan (Pilar); Peter Holmgren (Bambara); Brian Samuels Photography (ArtBar).