617858 Wed May 06 17:55:42 -0700 2009 17 36 Spirits 0 4660853 I am a neat scotch and dry martini (with bitters) gal, and the fruitiest I can go is a mojito. With that established, I have a bottle of Appleton Estate 12 yr that I carried all the way from Jamaica. And it is just sitting there. I thought I can just sip it, but it is just too abrasive (and yet cloying) to drink by itself. I think I just am not a rum person considering that I can sip scotch, tequila, mezcal and gin by themselves. What can I do to salvage this bottle? I really really really hate to mix it with OJ. I tried and didn't like it. Other citrus (lime/lemon) are fine but sweet drinks make me gag. If nothing works, please direct me to home cooking board, where I can flambe my butt off. Merci! Wed May 06 17:55:42 -0700 2009 53259 emerilcantcook 1 4660934 And I have a nice selection of scotch (gifts) and never even cracked 'em open because I'm a rum kinda gal! ;) The Appleton (one of my favorites) is great in a mojito. I also enjoy it mixed with seltzer and a squeeze of lime. Wed May 06 18:23:13 -0700 2009 4660853 244497 VictoriaL 2 4660953 We should meet somewhere and exchange re-gifts. I've never tried dark rum in a mojito. Do you prepare it as usual? Wed May 06 18:27:21 -0700 2009 4660934 53259 emerilcantcook 1 4660968 Have you ever tried a Dark 'n Stormy? Dark rum and ginger beer. I guess sweetness would depend on the ginger beer (not ginger ale!) you get. Wed May 06 18:32:09 -0700 2009 4660853 256243 sonia darrow 2 4660977 I think I might love it with something like Reeds. Assertive over assertive kind of deal. Not sure if they are available here (MTL) though, but noted. Wed May 06 18:35:28 -0700 2009 4660968 53259 emerilcantcook 3 4662034 Reeds Dark n Stormies are great! Thu May 07 07:00:51 -0700 2009 4660977 16728 kenito799 4 4669248 I drink my D&S with Reed's. Reed's and Gosling's or Reed's and Cruzan Black Strap, it's the bomb! Even Sailor Jerry's will do in a pinch. Sat May 09 14:38:47 -0700 2009 4662034 159754 ed1066 1 4664942 For a quick apéro or if I run out of mint, I simply drink my rum with some tonic water and maybe a splash of lime. I find that the aroma of the rhum comes through very nicely. I also find that mojitos are better with dark rhum. Thu May 07 22:30:24 -0700 2009 4660853 95785 Soufi 1 4665028 Mai Tais, done the way Trader Vic invented 'em back in 1944. He originally used the 17-year rum from J. Wray & Nephew, which now bottles under the label Appleton Estate. It's well-balanced, and quite strong. Juice of a large lime 1/2 ounce orgeat syrup 1/4 ounce simple syrup (you might want to leave it out. Maybe.) 3/4 ounce orange curaçao 2 ounces Appleton Estate Extra (the 12-year rum you have) Shake everything like hell with crushed ice. Pour into a double rocks glass, and garnish with a sprig of mint and a spent lime shell. It's heaven in a glass, I tell ya. Fri May 08 00:32:17 -0700 2009 4660853 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester 2 4669029 sippin one now. THis is one of the best uses of rum that i have found. I using the cheap stiff bow so i imagine appleton 12 would be heaven. If you want to go the extra mile make your own orgeat and be sure to get quality orange liquor - i've been using rhum clement creole shrub lately Sat May 09 12:48:54 -0700 2009 4665028 13330 quazi 1 4670578 mojitos are really "fruity", although they are generally (too) sweet. I would try something like Dale DeGroff's Anejo Highball. Añejo Highball 1 1/2 ounce añejo rum 1/2 ounce orange curaçao 1/2 ounce lime juice 2 dash Angostura Bitters 1 ounce ginger beer Garnish: Lime wedge, orange wedge. Build in a highball glass. Source: Dale DeGroff Sun May 10 08:09:45 -0700 2009 4660853 11892 tommy 1 4670967 Just go easy on the sugar in a rum swizzle recipe like this: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10327 The bitters can add body and take off a sweet edge. The above is akin to the 'official' Bermuda Rum Swizzle, but has less fresh fruit juice and you mentioned you don't like 'fruity'... this is what the closest-thing-to-official looks like: http://www.swizzleinn.com/treasure_hunt_2.htm And it's really supposed to have Gosling's Black Seal rum. Sun May 10 11:28:38 -0700 2009 4660853 40486 Cinnamon 1 4671119 I recently started making Manhattans with rum instead of whisky. A tasty twist on a classic cocktail. There's some sweetness there (I mix 'em 3:1), but it isn't overwhelming. Sun May 10 12:56:37 -0700 2009 4660853 58743 alanbarnes 2 4671166 You bring up an interesting point. Obviously, that's no longer a "Manhattan". But, when I have a spirit, and am looking for something new, I just substitute the liquor into another drink. Taking a margarita and subbing whiskey or rum isn't odd, or bad, at all. That type of subbing is generally a good start. Experiment! With 750 mls, you've got a bunch of chances to get it right! Or, at the very least, to your liking. Sun May 10 13:21:32 -0700 2009 4671119 11892 tommy 3 4671400 The name I found for the drink is a Cuban Manhattan, although "Pirate's Cocktail" also came up. IMHO, neither name is a winner, but the drink is. For now I'll just call it a "rum Manhattan." If people can order "vodka martinis," that's gotta be allowed. Sun May 10 15:21:49 -0700 2009 4671166 58743 alanbarnes 4 4671639 you can call it an "alanbarnes" for all i care. as long as it's good! Sun May 10 17:13:14 -0700 2009 4671400 11892 tommy 5 4671689 Reminds me of a joke... http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/615160#4654872 Sun May 10 17:34:12 -0700 2009 4671639 58743 alanbarnes 1 4671341 Wow, this is a weird coincidence. Rum isn't my liquor of choice, but it's one of my boyfriend's favorites. Yesterday a friend of ours bought him a bottle of Appleton Estate as a graduation present. Sun May 10 14:46:36 -0700 2009 4660853 256243 sonia darrow