Rum joins the sour family in this tart, crisp, and bold-tasting cocktail.
In the video game The Secret of Monkey Island, we follow hapless wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood’s adventures on a variety of oddly named islands throughout the Caribbean. Guybrush sought fame, fortune and glory… as well as someone thinking he’s old enough to drink. A big part of being a pirate, at least in this world, was swilling massive amounts of grog. When Threepwood asks the Pirate Leaders what the drink is made of, they respond with “kerosene, propylene glycol, artificial sweeteners, sulfuric acid, rum, acetone, red dye #2, scumm, axle grease, battery acid and/or pepperoni.” As you can imagine, a mug didn’t hold this beverage for very long. It was actually used to melt a prison lock.
But that, of course, is not what grog really is. PLEASE don’t attempt to make or drink that, no matter how tasty axle grease sounds. The real thing, known as Navy Grog, was a concoction of rum, water, and often limes that sailors in the 1700s would imbibe on long sea journeys, mostly to fight off scurvy. The ratio of rum to lime juice was a little lighter back then, as sea captains didn’t want a bunch of drunken sailors steering their ships. Over time, this mixture evolved into a number of cocktails we enjoy today, one of them being the Rum Sour.
If you’re searching for a treasure to satisfy your thirst on a hot day as you lounge beachside, or after defeating the Sword Master of Mêlée Island, the Rum Sour will hit those sweet and tangy spots on your taste buds. And it won’t burn a hole in anything.
What is the Best Rum to Use in a Rum Sour?
The recipe we’re using today calls for a dark rum to be used, and with flavors and hints of caramel, vanilla, and other spices, your Rum Sour will be fairly robust. One of the best things about this spirit is the selections that are out there. White rum, gold rum… they’re each so similar and so different from each other that playing around with the many styles and flavors offered will give your cocktails some fascinating-tasting profiles.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- Lemon slice, maraschino cherry, and mint sprig to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour in the dark rum, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 to 45 seconds.
- Strain the mixture over fresh ice into a rocks glass. If desired, garnish with a lemon slice, maraschino cherry, and a sprig of mint.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Enjoy your cocktail in a rocks glass, filled with ice and garnished with a slice of lemon, a maraschino cherry, or a sprig of mint. You can use all three if you like.
What’s the difference between this and a Daiquiri?
While the Rum Sour traditionally includes dark rum, lemon juice, and simple syrup, the Daiquiri is made with white rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Similar Cocktails to the Rum Sour
Rum and sour cocktails go hand-in-hand, and the Rum Sour is delicious proof. For more beverages that feature the spirit or have flavors that favor the drink we made today, Twist & Toast has a variety of recipes you can try at home. Be careful, as they might all become your next favorite.
- Classic Daiquiri – Close to the Rum Sour, but with a tart and tangy flavor all its own.
- Cranberry Whiskey Sour – The perfect Christmas cocktail, sure to make all your New Year’s wishes come true.
- Gin Sour – Gin goes well with just about everything, and it makes a pretty perfect sour tipple.
- Pisco Sour – Another popular sour that can be made anytime of the year.
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