Three of our favourite warm-weather rum cocktails!
Summer is here, and we’re all rushing outside in shorts and flipflops the second it hits twenty degrees for those few hours of sunshine. Everyone in Britain is suddenly happier and more colourful, ready to drink cocktails and socialise outside. No longer confined to the corner of a dingy pub, rain lashing the windows and the only atmosphere to speak of being Match of the Day murmuring away in the background.
Hotter days are just around the corner, and our feeds are filling up with ways to enjoy the weather. Since the aftermath of lockdowns, people have taken even greater pleasure in their own back gardens and local parks. Spirit brands have woken up to the demand for customers wanting to make cocktails at home that dance on the tongue, sparking conversation and fun.
Rum cocktails evoke escapism and remind people of that cocktail they had on holiday. V Rum are here to give you the best cocktails to enjoy at home this summer, to impress friends and family. You can purchase all the ingredients you need from our friends over at Master of Malt, fresh ingredients from your local supermarket, and of course our Premium V Rum here.
Cocktail 1: The Old Cuban
A good Mojito requires crushed ice to churn it so the drink chills and dilutes properly, and making a dozen of them can lead to them over diluting and ending in a watery mess on the table. This modern classic doesn’t require crushed ice or churning away. It takes the humble mojito, spikes it with Angostura bitters and is lengthened with fizz for a twist that will impress all your guests.
Kit you’ll need
- Shaker
- Fine strainer (Tea strainer will do)
- Cubed Ice
- Coupe/Champagne saucer or if you don’t have either, a rocks glass will work well.
- Jigger for measuring
Ingredients
- 50ml V Rum
- 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 25ml Lime
- 25ml Sugar syrup (2 cups of sugar to one cup of water in a pan on the hob till dissolved)
- Mint (10 medium size mint leaves)
Top with Fizz (Ideally Crémant or Champagne, but Extra Dry Prosecco works well)
Method
Shake the first 5 ingredients with ice in the shaker hard for 8–10 seconds. When you open the shaker you should see all the mint broken up into tiny pieces. Finely strain directly into the glass and top with fizz. Garnish with a mint sprig, slapping the mint spring before you put it into the glass to make the room smell extra minty!
Cocktail 2: Pina Colada
Do you like Pina Colada? A guilty pleasure for many, this version is vegan and delicious. You can make this in two ways: You can shake up 1–2 at a time for best results, or you can multiply the ingredients by 20 and pop it into a big urn to share.
Kit you’ll need
- Shaker
- Cubed Ice
- Tall glass or Hurricane glass if you have one.
- Drinks Dispenser for making a large amount
Ingredients (x20 for large dispenser approx 5 litre capacity)
- 50ml V Rum
- 25ml Coconut Syrup
- 25ml Coconut Cream
- 10ml Lime
- 50ml Pineapple Juice
Method
Add all ingredients to shaker, shake for 6–8 seconds and strain into a glass with ice. If making in a drinks dispenser, add all ingredients to the dispenser with ice 20 minutes before guests arrive. Fill glasses with ice and pineapple leaves and people can help themselves and pour away!
Cocktail 3: Mai-Tai
Trader Vic, the creator of the cocktail made this drink for friends at his beach house. One exclaimed “Mai Tai-Roa Aé”, meaning ‘Out of this World’, and this cocktail has not stopped it’s popularity ever since. From tiki bars to high end hotel bars: short, strong, nutty-sweet, and sour, this cocktail packs a punch!
Kit you’ll need
- Shaker
- Cubed Ice
- Rocks Glass
Ingredients
- 25ml V Rum
- 25ml Appleton 12
- 10ml Smith and Cross Jamaican
- 15ml Cointreau
- 25ml Lime
- 20ml Orgeat Syrup
Method
Shake all ingredients for 6–8 seconds and strain into rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel or mint sprig if you like and enjoy!
