Yo ho ho and a bottle of...

That's right, kids. August 16 is National Rum Day. Which is why the Weekend section on Thursday contains a rum-addled line-up of Pinellas beach bars. Think I missed the best one? Bring it...

But before we get embroiled in beach bars, I'd like to pause a moment to consider rum.

First, best use of rum in a refreshment?

1. Mojito
2. Daiquiri
3. Mai Tai
4. Zombie
5. Piña Colada (thank you, Rupert Holmes)
6. Hot buttered rum
7. Cuba Libre

Rum refreshments I like the sound of but have never seen personally (you bartenders out there, think about bringing some of these old chestnuts back):

1. Barkis is Willing
2. Blighter Bog
3. The Immaculata
4. Elephant Lips

New rum product that piques my curiosity:

267 Infusions mango- or pineapple-infused Barbados plantation virgin rum. It evidently won a Gold Award at the 2007 World Beverage Competition. That sounds like a seriously good spin on a mojito.

Alright, now, about those beach bars. What did I get wrong?

 

Comments

[Janet Keeler]

These days, I am a sucker for Malibu rum and pineapple juice. Is that a wimp drink or what?

[Michelle]

Not wimpy at all in steamy hot Florida...try Bacardi Coco rum with pineapple and pomegranate over crushed ice...yummy!

[Rebecca]

Howsabout a Painkiller! Also, check out the lore related to Pusser's Rum. Fascinating (hic).

[Jimmydawalker]

I think you missed some intresting spots . Especially in Clearwater. The best way to do this is on foot seems better that way considering the new wolf pack industry operated by local law enforcement. The first one you missed was Cinncinatti Chile This little bar is on the second floor right next door to Frenchys South. It could have a better view than Rockaway and Michelle and her team are friendly! The second place I think you missed is the Mandaly Beach bar a very unique bar with open seating outside or you can sit inside and watch the action on Mandalay Ave. Live entertainment all the time with locally popular jimmy Savoy and others. You probally missed this because you were trying to get through the Roundabout with out injury. By the time you recover your allready past the bar. The last one would have to be the Palm Pavillion if you include Frenchys Rockaway seems only right to include the Palm . I really think it is more locally popular than The French persons place!! .

[KS]

For a truly schmaltzy beach bar experience, I think you have to hit the revolving bar atop the Grand Plaza Hotel (nee Holiday Inn, nee Hilton - the Elizabeth Taylor of St. Pete Beach hotels). It takes about an hour to do a full circle, so if you choose your seat carefully, you can hit the gulf-side view right at sunset.

[Ed C.]

Don't forget the Swizzle! A concotion from Bermuda that's worth a try. One mix is...
-2 oz dark rum
-1 oz lime juice
-1 oz pineapple juice
-1 oz orange juice
-1/4 oz falernum (whatever that is)

That's my second favorite rum drink. My favorite is the Painkiller, so I'm with Rebecca, above.

[The Mouth]

Ed, love the idea of the Swizzle (and great name), but what on god's green earth is falernum? The wikipedia entry doesn't help much: "used in cocktails in a manner similar to orgeat syrup."

Ah, yes, orgeat.

And Rebecca, I had to look up the Painkiller. Sounds totally fabu:

2 oz Pusser's dark rum
1 oz cream of coconut
4 oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice

[Ed C.]

Mouth--If you can't buy Falernum try...

Untested recipe for Falernum

Marinate...
-zest from 10 limes
-10 cloves
-1/4 teaspoon almond extract
with 1 liter white rum. Then mix 8 oz. of rum marinade w/ 1 qt. simple syrup.

http://www.drinkboy.com/LiquorCabinet/Syrups/Falernum.html

Since this can be apparently made w/o rum might be able to let ingredients infuse syrup w/o the rum marinade.

Or forget it and use grenadine instead.

[The Mouth]

Dude, am I going to make homemade falernum in my spare time, after my daily needlepoint fractal or pencil troll project fashioned from fimo and Gulf of Mexico kelp? I need ready-made falernum (www.velvetfalernum.com), and I need it now.

[Ed C. is falernum it]

Mouth--

Okay, seeing as National Rum Day was slipping away I couldn't wait for USPS to bring my mail-order falernum. I made it like this because I didn't want gallons of the stuff...

--3 lime rinds
--3 cloves
--3 drops almond extract
--3 cups water
--1 cup sugar

Simmer until sugar dissolves and strain. I'm now drinking my Swizzle over ice. From the ingredients it sounds too sweet, but isn't: Yum.