I'm Amazed What Can be Done with Well Rums

     The Rum Lab opened yesterday to the roar of inexpensive rums and liqueurs to create quality cocktails.     This was the mission of the day and we were very pleasantly surprised with the results.     We started with a everyday inexpensive white rum, some liqueurs, and some flavored rums that all were in the range of $10 to $20 a bottle.     This is where the fun really begins, now we must use our creativity to make flavorful drinks without the assistance of very flavorful quality rums.     First we invited three bartenders from here in Key West to be out "Lab Mice" for the day and it was off to work again to create some new and flavorful cocktails.

     I'm finding that a swizzle format is great for the inexpensive cocktail, because the crushed ice smooths and expands the flavors of these rums.    Not usually being a fan of flavored rums, I was pleasantly surprised with the results we got using them in the swizzles.

Tropical Daiquiri or Swizzle

• 1 1/2 oz. Spiced Rum
• 1 oz. Banana Liqueur
• 1 oz. Pomegranate Liqueur
• 3/4 oz. Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz. Cane Syrup or Honey

Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake till chilled.  Strain into a martini galas for a daiquiri or strain into a cocktail glass filled with crushed ice for a swizzle.   Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wheel.

Bubbly Daiquiri

• 1 oz. White Rum
• 1 oz. Lime Rum
• 1 oz. Mango Liqueur
• 3/4 oz. Lime Juice
• 3/4 oz. Ginger Beer
• Splash of Soda

Place all ingredients except the Ginger Beer and the Soda in a shaker with ice and shake til chilled.   Strain into a frosted martini glass (2/3full) and the ginger beer and a splash of Soda.   Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Spicy Coconut

• 1 1/2 oz. Coconut Rum
• 1 1/2 oz. Spiced Rum
• 2 oz. Ginger Beer
• Splash of Lime Juice

Place all ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice and shake lightly or stir.  Garnish with a lime or sprig of mint.

     These are three ways to enjoy some really tasty cocktails on a very small budget .    Don't be afraid to experiment with the stuff you find in your liquor cabinet, there is often a treasure trove of flavors that your would not usually put together, but they do work.    ;o)