Rum Old Fashioned

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Who doesn’t love a fresh take on an old favorite? At Queen Bee Mixology, we’re all about shaking things up, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with this Rum Old Fashioned. So, set the bourbon aside and grab your favorite dark rum because we’re about to stir up a delicious twist on the classic of all classics! Old Fashioned purists are going to need to make some room at the table for this one!

While there are pros and cons to both purism and innovation, I believe the best way forward is to learn how to strike a balance. We have to remember and respect the origin of things while also expanding on them. If we don’t maintain some traditions, we lose the history and things like the classic Old Fashioned would be lost. If we don’t grow, learn, adapt, or push the envelope, many wonderful things wouldn’t exist today, like fusion cuisine, peanut butter whiskey or this dreamy Rum Old Fashioned.

Step 1: Add the rum, demerara syrup, allspice dram and both bitters into an Old Fashioned glass.

What are bitters? Bitters are a common ingredient used in many different recipes– but what purpose do they actually serve? Well, bitters is alcohol that’s infused with different botanicals to create a bitter or bittersweet flavor. They are added to cocktails to create a more complex flavor profile– balancing out the taste of your sip.

Step 2: Then carefully place a large ice ball in your glass.

Why use an ice sphere? There are a few reasons behind using a round ice ball as opposed to normal ice in your Old Fashioned.

The shape of the ice allows for slower melt. This makes for a less diluted drink.
Spheres have the least amount of surface area than any other ice. Allowing for more volume of ice in your drink– meaning your drink is chilled at a slower rate with less water in the cocktail.

Step 3: Stir until well-chilled and garnish with an orange peel laced with cherries.

And we’re expanding on more than just the Old Fashioned recipe with this one! Rum oftentimes feels tied to fruity, tropical drinks that are sweet and not as spirit forward as I sometimes like my drinks to be. This cocktail recipe does away with any notion that rum is a one-trick pony. A nice oaky dark rum blends perfectly with the slight toffee flavor of the demerara syrup and the hint of orange brightens it all up.⁠ There’s no place to hide here, so be sure to select a dark rum you wouldn’t mind sipping neat.⁠

Rum Old Fashioned

Ingredients

2 oz. — Dark Rum
0.5 oz. — Allspice Dram
1 Teaspoon — Demerara Syrup
2 Dashes — Orange Bitters
2 Dashes — Angostura Bitters

Instructions

Step 1 – Add the rum, demerara syrup, allspice dram and both bitters into an Old Fashioned glass.
Step 2 – Then carefully place a large ice ball in your glass.
Step 3 – Stir until well-chilled and garnish with an orange peel laced with cherries.