Celebrate National Rum Day: Bring On The Drinks

Did you know that August 16th is the official National Rum Day? It seems every day has become officially a day to celebrate something and who are we to argue with another day to party? And who doesn’t like rum?

But before you can celebrate rum, you should know a bit about its history. Or at least enough to share anecdotally over drinks. The first distillation of rum took place on the sugarcane plantations of the Caribbean in the 17th century. Plantation workers first discovered that molasses, a byproduct of the sugar refining process, could be fermented into alcohol. Further distillations of these alcoholic byproducts concentrated the alcohol and removed impurities, producing the first true rums. Although tradition suggests rum first originated on the island of Barbados, it has quickly spread to other Caribbean and Latin American countries. Finally, the popularity of the spirit quickly grew when it was brought back to North America on ships.

We rounded up the latest and greatest rum punch recipes to help you celebrate with you and yours. Moreover, what is great about a punch is that it easy it to make a big batch and not worry for the rest of the evening. So while you are regaling your guests with rum trivia, then can top up their own drinks. So stop by and pick up these items on your way home today and celebrate National Rum Day with your friends.

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Bacardi Citrus Party Punch

1 oz. Bacardi Limon
1 oz. Bacardi Grapefruit
2 oz. orange juice
1 oz. grapefruit juice
2 lime wedges squeezed into drink
Garnish: organ slice

Combine all ingredients in a large vessel and serve chilled in small glasses.

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Baron Samedi Rum Punch

1 part Baron Samedi Spiced Rum
0.5 part Aperol
0.5 part Fresh Lemon Juice
0.5 part Honey Syrup (1:1 water to honey)
1 part Fresh Grapefruit Juice.
2 parts Lavender Tea*
Dillon’s Absinthe to taste and garnish with grapefruit wheels

Add all ingredients to a large vessel and serve chilled in small glasses with no ice.

(Lavender Tea: 2L water, 10g whole white pepper, 1g dried lavender, 2 orange pekoe tea bags. Brew tea, add spices. Infuse in fridge for 3 hours. Fine strain).

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Bacardi Red Rum Punch