Old Fashioned Rican

As I mentioned on my last post, I spend a week in Puerto Rico in late January. What I did not mention was how crazy I went buying booze. By the end of that week I had bought 6 bottles of wine, 1 bottle of fruit wine, 1 bottle of chocolate liqueur, and 2 bottles of rum. It’s not like I needed to be hammered 24/7 like an “all-inclusive” brat, but all of these beverages were Puerto Rican made and let’s face it: we all need a souvenir to remember our trips. For a couple of years now, I’ve been intrigued by the appearance of Puerto Rican made (or at least Puerto Rican bottled) wines, and I must admit I’ve been, for the most part, pleasantly surprised. And they are inexpensive too; I’m talking 4-5 dollars per bottle. It reminded me of those days in Spain when I could go and buy quality wine for 3-5 euros. Oh, the good old days.

But let not kid ourselves; Puerto Rico’s best booze comes in rum form. You must have heard of Ron Bacardí, as it is world famous (and yummy). But in Puerto Rico, Bacardí is not even the top selling rum; Don Q is the local favorite. While is true that the sugar cane industry is dead and unlikely to resurrect anytime soon, there’s a resurgence of the more interesting, artisanal rums brought in vogue by the recent “legalization” of the centuries old pitorro, homemade rum aged underground and often cured with fruits. Although most of the pitorro and other rums I’ve tried are absolutely delicious, I still consider Ron del barrilito (Rum from the small barrel) the best rum in the country. Ron del barrilito has been around since the 1880s, but I must confess that I was introduced to it by a Spanish friend in Madrid. Since then, this rum and I have been the best of friends. Ron del barrilito is aged in old (and I mean more than a century kind of old) barriles de Jerez, (sherry barrels) for 6-10 years. It has an amazing aroma that reminds me of Cognac, and a great taste with notes that remind me of oak, vanilla, spices and fruits. Of course, I say this based on my taste, and in the taste of the countless bottles I’ve drunken, but you can read a more detailed (and educated) description here.  

 

Old Fashioned Rican

While is best to just drink this Puerto Rican masterpiece on its own, THIS PUERTO RICAN MASTERPIECE decided to use it in a cocktail to shoosh the winter chills away. I actually made two versions of this drink I’ll call the Old Fashioned Rican: The Old Fashioned Rican, and the Old Fashioned Rican light. The former, is a full bodied luxurious cocktail; the latter, is a refreshing drink that I will definitely make again during the summer months. Either way, the complex flavors of the rum carry through, and both drinks made me really happy (wink, wink). The chills may still here, but they don’t bother me anymore. 

Old Fashioned Rican Light

On the road shortcut

Old Fashioned Rican

¾ teaspoon sugar

3 dashes Angostura bitters

3 ounces Ron del barrilito

Ice

Add sugar to an Old Fashioned glass (note, I'm not using an old fashioned glass here). Add the bitters, and mix. Add the rum, and stir. Add ice to fill the glass. Garnish with an orange slice, and a cherry.

Old Fashioned Rican Light

Old Fashioned Rican

¾ teaspoon sugar

3 dashes Angostura bitters

1.5 ounces Ron del barrilito

1.5 ounces carbonated water (or club soda)

Ice

Add sugar to an Old Fashioned glass (note, I'm not using an old fashioned glass here). Add the bitters, and mix. Add the rum and the water, and stir. Add ice to fill the glass. Garnish with an orange slice, and a cherry.