After three days of rain and clouds it is time to snap out of this blah I'm in. Today is going to be a sunny day even if I have to create the sunshine myself. Last night my local hangout the Hurricane Hole even slammed it's doors and didn't open, so the gang of us went to the Hogfish Bar and Grill, another local seaport bar and grill for our evening out. This is a great place to hang out, but because I can not dinghy over to the bar it seriously limits the enjoyment of any more than one cocktail. The food at the Hogfish is fabulous, the house specialty, the "Killer Hogfish Sandwich", which is truly a delicacy on a roll. Hogfish is a unique fish that has flavors that are heavenly to the palate. This is a great location and is the true picture of eclectic Old Key West. It's waterfront location across the harbor from the shrimp boats makes it an ideal location for lunch or dinner with pure atmosphere.
Today I've decided to go ahead and have another Rum Lab, manufactured sunshine, plus some fun with a good group of Lab Mice. At this time I'm not sure of what we will be working with, but some of the cocktails from last week used Aguardiente, an anise flavored "rum" from Columbia, although it is produced is many areas of Central and South America, it is one of the things that I would like to try as an additional "rum" to a few of my existing cocktails. I will be curious as to how the responses of the Lab Mice will be to this.
This Rum is made by the fermentation of a combination of one or more of the following, Sugar cane, sugared musts (orange or banana), aniseed, or vegetable maceration ( beet or potato). The most popular of these is one made in the Adean region of Columbia. Aguardiente is similar to Cachaca, which is sweeter and does not contain anything other than sugar cane syrup. The flavor of the Aguardiente varies with the country and region in which it is produced. Some is fruitier, and from Brazil it has more of a rum flavor, depending on which ingredients were placed in the fermentation tank.
They say that it is generally served chilled or on the rocks as an aperitif or a digestif, but we will try to put it to work as a mixer to bring some life into other cocktails. I feel that it will only take a small amount of this to alter the flavor profile of these cocktails. The very strong flavor of the anise can over power a cocktail in short order, and it will take a careful balance to prevent this from happening.
I'll let you know tomorrow how this has all worked out. ;o)
It was surly a blast for all of us involved from the Start of Goombay to the Fat Lady Sang at La Te Da last night. It was a great party that took the stuffing out of most of us that were involved, but worth every minute that we spent out and about in the sunshine and the rain. Thanks for all the memories. ;o)
Last night brought the 2011 Fantasyfest to an end here in Key West with a incredible parade and day of street frolic. The 2011 Fantasy fest showed little of the tight economy, but rather the need for people to shake the bonds of stress and gloom and party until you can't party anymore.
There are a couple of Rum Events happening next week that I need to let you know about. First, next Thursday there is a Denizen Rum Cocktail Special event at the Rum Bar at 1117 Duval Street from 1 til 5pm. There is a Ron Centenario Event also at the Rum Bar on Friday from 1 til 5pm. Both of these event sill feature special cocktails made with these very fine rums and all of them will be sold for only $5 each. I'll be behind the bar mixing you special Rum Lab created cocktails for you, so make sure that you get by to see us while you are out and about for the Meeting of the Minds events.
The idea of a Pirate Rum Party this time of year is one that really can't be beat. The weather is getting cool, Halloween is just over the horizon and it is time for the first real party of the fall season. Pirate Rum Party's have all the potential for a great fun night or afternoon. Take a group of friends dressed in pirate garb, punch bowl full of rum punch of some sort, great pirate games, and it is underway.
For a rainy day it was a fun one in the Rum Lab and getting out on the water for and adventuresome trip to the Hurricane Hole for a few after lab cocktails with our bartender friends Nicole and Paul. The weather "forced us to stay a bit longer than we planed, but it lifted just in time and we scurried back home for some much needed dinner and rest from the day. By the way it is still raining for the fourth day in a fow here in Key West this morning. Blaaaaaaaaaaaaah. ;o)
This Rum is made by the fermentation of a combination of one or more of the following, Sugar cane, sugared musts (orange or banana), aniseed, or vegetable maceration ( beet or potato). The most popular of these is one made in the Adean region of Columbia. Aguardiente is similar to Cachaca, which is sweeter and does not contain anything other than sugar cane syrup. The flavor of the Aguardiente varies with the country and region in which it is produced. Some is fruitier, and from Brazil it has more of a rum flavor, depending on which ingredients were placed in the fermentation tank.
Jack Terry, bartender at Bagatelle was announced the winner of the Tommy Bahama Rumologist Search . See the complete story of this three month competition at http://rumconnection.com/uncategorized/winner-5/ . Congratulations to Jack Terry for his tremendous effort and I hope he enjoys his year in the limelight.
Yesterday was a day off, and it was my pleasure to jump into the dinghy on such a beautiful day and just roam the water ways to see what was going on. I found my way into the Key West Bight and found some beautiful and scenic images of boats and people and buildings as I roamed around. The bight is filled with very colorful and impressive boats to see, as well as people and buildings. The dinghy is the perfect vessel to wander through these harbor waterways, because you are low and small and can get in and out of all of the nooks and crannies easily to take the pictures and see what is happening.
The Waterfront is dotted with all kinds of sights to rouse your interest, from waterfalls and art to the fantastic yachts you can see there. You never seem to be lacking for something to see or do there. If it is food you are looking for there are sophisticated to the funky little places that all present you palate with great culinary delights. Whether it is swimming, fishing, parasailing, dining, drinking and music, you can find it in the area in and around the Key West Historic Seaport. 
Historic is the best word to describe what this port has seen in it's history and today is no exception. You to can be a part of the old history when you sail on the one of the historic old schooners or party at Schooner Wharf.
