Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1787
" Tiki cocktails are a liquid vacation . . . I am not afraid of the parasol," quips Honolulu native turned mas- ter mixologist Julie Reiner during the recent Food & Wine Classic, held in Aspen, Colorado. The Rocky Mountains aren't exactly the first place to come to mind when one thinks of rum-based cocktails. As it turns out, however, the land-locked Centennial State is mixing up an impressive array of these easy island spirits this sum- mer. At The Little Nell's Montagna Bar in Aspen, there's the Sand Between Your Toes (Flor de Caña and Myers's rums, fresh lemon, ginger beer and turbinado sugar). Crested Butte's Dogwood Cocktail Cabin combines Bacardi with muddled grapes, coconut and jasmine es- sence for their Jezebel. And Denver's new TAG restau- rant is pouring the Jalapeño-Kumquat Mojito (Cruzan, kumquats, jalapeños, mint, lime and sugar), which is both tasty and business savvy: "There's just enough heat that you want to take another sip right away," explains Beverage Director Mike Henderson. Whether it's grapes, jalapeños or more traditional tropical fruits, rum has long been a summer darling. "You can smell the banana, vanilla, sweet grass notes— and rum wants to be with all of those things; it's in its soul," muses Bryan Dayton, Bar Manager at Boulder's Frasca restaurant and founding President of the U.S. Rum Rum, Rockies-Style Colorado bars and restaurants mix sunny rum cocktails for summer Mai Tai Happy Noodle House, Boulder Mixologist James Lee makes the beloved Trader Vic's cocktail with Cruzan. "We blind tasted four rums and the Cruzan won," he remembers. Lee lets the winning rum shine, keeping the cocktail to its original four ingredients rather than adding the pineapple juice and grenadine sometimes found in a modern-day Mai Tai. 1½ oz. Cruzan aged dark rum ½ oz. orgeat syrup ½ oz. triple sec ¾ oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice Pour all ingredients into a shaker and add ice. Shake until well combined and strain into a chilled cocktail or Old Fashioned glass. Here are some all-time favorite rum classics that are coming out of Colora- do's Front Range this summer. story and photos by Stacey Brugeman Mixologist James Lee makes the beloved Trader Vic's cocktail with Cruzan. 82 / the tasting panel / august 2009