Rum is a distilled alcoholic drink made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels. For a different kind of party have a rum bar. Just pick your 3 – 5 favorite cocktails that are simple to make and be sure their ingredients are represented, then write the recipes somewhere noticeable. Make sure all the ingredients and equipment, glasses etc. are there and let your guests DIY. Or let your guests be creative! Below is a list of ingredients you might include – pick and choose.
- Several kinds of Rum: dark, light, spiced, or flavored
- Assorted Liqueurs: Orange Curaçao, Brandy, Banana Liqueur, Peach Brandy. Apricot Liqueur, Triple Sec
- Assorted Fruit Juices: Orange, Rose’s Lime Juice, Lemon, Pineapple, Pomegranate
- Assorted Cut Fruit: Lemons, Oranges, Watermelon, Cherries
- Simple Syrup
- Orgeat Syrup
- Creme Of Coconut
- Bitters
- Grenadine
- Mint
- Sugar, Brown Sugar
- Club Soda
- Ice – lots of ice!
TOOLS TO SET OUT – more than one of each if it is a party of more than 6 or 8.
- Cocktail shaker and strainer
- Cocktail umbrellas, toothpicks
- Drink stirrers
- Straws
- Cutting board and knife
- Muddler
- Several different sizes of glasses
SUGGESTED RECIPES TO POST ON THE BAR (write these nearby on a chalkboard or butcher paper. You may need to simplify them to serve one drink):
- Corolo Cocktail
- Bee’s Knees
- Dark and Stormy
- Aunt Agatha
- Jamaican Breeze
Don’t forget EANAB – Equally Attractive Non Alcoholic Beverage
- Ice teas: caffeinated, uncaffeinated, flavored
- Flavored water
- Rum flavoring
The 5 Essential Rules of Any DIY Drink Bar
- Squeeze a lot of citrus juice in advance and set it out in squeeze bottles.
- Give people instructions and a way to measure. Whether you say “1 part this, 1 part that” or give specific ounces or tablespoons, make sure your measuring utensil will make sense to your guests. And give a recipe that makes one drink at a time.
- Always set out sparkling water. Not everyone wants to get smashed, and bubbles improve many cocktails.
- Set out lots of ice. You can’t make a good cocktail without ice. An ice bucket is helpful.
- Label things! Whether you use plastic squeeze bottles, recycled salsa jars or pretty sling top glass bottles, slap some masking tape on there and write the contents with a Sharpie.
And, just a reminder:
It’s never a good idea nor a safe idea to drink and drive. But if you do, you’d better know your limits.
- ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE IN BEVERAGE
(Beer ~ 4-4.5% Wine ~ 15-20% 1 Shot ~ 30-50%)
