The keys are known for their iconic cocktails. The hot tropical climate and beautiful sunsets go perfectly with a refreshing drink. Rum is often the key ingredient because rum was once very abundant. Rum running was a common occupation during prohibition when ships from Bimini and the western Bahamas transported cheap Caribbean rum to Florida speakeasies. Tavern owners combined the sweet liquor with things that were readily available on the islands, sugar, citrus and other tropical fruits. Belly up to one of the local bars and order a Rumrunner, Pina Colada, Painkiller, Margarita or Cubre Libre, better yet, follow our recipes and make your own.
The Rumrunner
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 Ounces Rum – Captain Morgan’s is a great one.
1/2 an ounce of Banana Liqueur – Torani’s Creme De Banana is a good one.
1/2 ounce of grenadine
1/2 ounce of pineapple juice
1/2 ounce of lime juice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Add crushed ice, blend until smooth.
Pour into a tall glass.
The Mojito
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) fresh lime juice.
2 heaping teaspoons sugar.
1 cup crushed ice.
12 fresh mint leaves, plus 5 small sprigs for garnish.
2 ounces of white rum – Bacardi is a good one.
1 ounce of club soda.
Directions:
In 10-ounce glass (such as Collins or highball), stir together lime juice and sugar until sugar dissolves. Add 1/4 cup crushed ice. Rub mint leaves over rim of glass, then tear leaves in half and add to glass. Gently stir for 15 seconds, then add rum, remaining crushed ice, and club soda. Gently stir for 5 seconds, then tuck mint sprigs into top of glass and insert tall straw.
The Cubre Libre
Ingredients:
1/2 ounces of spiced rum – Captain Morgan’s is a great one.
The juice of one lime.
Coke or Diet Coke
Directions:
In a tall glass, combine rum and lime juice.
Add ice.
Top with Coke or Diet Coke and stir.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
The Margarita
Ingredients:
Ice cubes
3 ounces tequila
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce Simple Syrup, (sugar dissolved in water)
Kosher salt
Directions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, Simple Syrup and orange liqueur. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds. Place kosher salt on a plate. Press the rim of a chilled rocks or margarita glass into the mixture to rim the edge. Strain margarita into the glass
The BBC -Bailey’s, Banana and Cream
Ingredients:
1/2 cup ice
1/2 cup cream of coconut or just heavy cream
2 ounces Baileys Irish Cream
Directions:
Combine the banana, ice, cream and Bailey’s in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass. Top with whipped cream.
