Rum traditionally has a reputation as a summery drink, showing up in a frozen, fruity concoction next to the pool. In autumn, it might turn up for a cameo in apple cider. But if you’re keen on ordering sophisticated cocktails when you’re out for a night on the town, there’s still a place in your rotation for rum — and no, we don’t mean a quick mix with Coke. “Brugal is a rum for all seasons,” informs bartender/mixologist Scott Fitzgerald. “[I] have found it easy to create both warmer, spicier winter cocktails, as well as refreshing, bright and fresh cocktails. … Brugal has the ability to pair brilliantly with fresh fruits and herbs without losing the key elements of its flavor profile.”
The Brugal family, which originated and continues to oversee the namesake rum company, welcomes drinkers to consider a new take on one of the more overlooked liquors — and they do so by creating a product that’s worthy of that merit. The rum is lovingly crafted and packaged entirely in the Dominican Republic: from the sugar cane fields to the molasses refinery, from the triple-distillery process to the government-regulated White American Oak aging casks.
For your own taste of autumn, try the new Brugal Especial Extra Dry (aged 2-5 years) and the sip- worthy 1888 (6-8 years in medium-toasted American Oak Casks, followed by 2-4 years in ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks) named for the year the company was founded. At $20 or $50 respectively per bottle, the price point won’t kill your wallet like some higher-end whiskeys — to which Brugal’s taste and quality is comparable.
Try these spicy sips
To reacquaint with rum this season, try these original cocktail recipes created by Fitzgerald at NYC’s Mulberry Project (
www.mulberryproject.com):
Spice Cask 2 oz. Brugal 1888
.75 oz. Ramazotti liqueur
.25 oz. cinnamon syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
1 dash angostura bitters
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients in an iced cocktail tin. Strain over a large piece of ice and garnish with a large orange peel and a maraschino cherry.
Autumn in Manhattan
2 oz. Brugal Especial Extra Dry
1 oz. Antica Formula
1 dash of gin-barrel aged orange bitters
Instructions:
Shake ingredients and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a slice of red bell pepper on the rim.
Where to go
“In most of the world, Rum
is one of the most celebrated spirits,” says Fitzgerald. “Unfortunately
in the USA, there is a lack of education regarding rum’s diverse
profile.” Luckily, Brugal is easy to find throughout the city at venues such as:
Rum House Ward III Saxon + Parole The Hurricane Club Pegu Club
