Rum as an alcoholic drink has been known for a long time. But they were warmed by the blood of pirates and peasants on the islands of the Caribbean. Until the middle of the 19th century, not only ladies but also gentlemen of high society wrinkled their nose contemptuously at the word “rum”. His taste was too harsh and tart, and he gave the bouquet with a fuselian scent. But everything has changed since 1862, when the Catalan don Facundo Bacardi Masso arrived in Santiago de Cuba with his brother Jose. They bought a small distillery and began experimenting with distillation, coal filtration and Cuban rum recipes . As a result, the brothers managed to get a drink that in its taste was radically different from the previously known. It was after this that the question arose of with what and how to drink Bacardi rum. After all, the brothers managed to offer their drink to the richest and most famous people.
Brand development
Soon the bat on the bottle label (a trademark of the Bacardi company) began to appear frequently on the tables of the seniors of Cuba. And then it gained popularity all over the world. Already in 1888, the Bacardi company supplied its rum to the royal court of Spain. And ten years later, the first cocktail based on this distillate was invented. Since then, the company's products began to be produced not only in large quantities, but also diversified the name of the brands. Each of them has its own taste nuances. Therefore, you need to use them in different ways. How to drink Bacardi rum correctly, our article will tell. We will also give recipes for the most famous cocktails based on this distillate.
A brief overview of the company's products
Despite the variety of brands, Bacardi rums can be grouped into three categories.
- Light varieties. They can be absolutely transparent, like vodka, silvery, just golden, like white wine. Light rum differs from his brothers not only in color. It has a sweeter, but also less characteristic taste, which secured the glory of a "ladies' drink". Since light varieties are almost neutral, it is not customary to use them in their pure form. With what they drink white rum "Bacardi", we will tell later.
- Golden varieties. Color ranges from light amber to dark honey. In addition to a beautiful shade, the drinks are distinguished by a characteristic vanilla note in a complex bouquet, as well as a slightly caramel taste. Such a Bacardi is drunk chilled.
- Dark varieties. Almost black color is achieved due to long aging in barrels. This rum is especially popular. They drink it in its pure form, mix it with cocktails and use it in cooking. Only black “Bacardi” makes hot alcoholic beverages such as grog. These varieties have a very rich characteristic taste that cannot be confused with anything.
Bacardi Superior
This drink also has another name - “Blank Card”, which means “White Page”. Rum is colorless. With vodka it is related not only by the lack of color, but also by a strength of 40% vol. Since this distillate has a mild taste, it is used in cocktails. How to drink white Bacardi rum correctly? To answer this question, you need to ask another: "In what situation are you going to use it?" The fact is that Bacardi Superior is acceptable to serve as an aperitif. Then they drink it in its pure form, slightly chilled. Canapes with caviar, seafood on skewers or low-fat meat cuts are served as an accompaniment. During a meal from the Bacardi Superior or other light rum, simple mixes are prepared. In a tall glass, mix one share of the distillate and two - non-alcoholic component. It can be berry and fruit juices, Coca-Cola, soda water, various syrups and even coconut milk.
The legendary Bacardi Map Blanca cocktail - Cuba Libre
Light rum is an excellent base for alcohol mixes. The most famous cocktail with the participation of Bacardi Superior is Cuba Libre. The drink was invented in 1878 to mark the end of the war of independence (according to another version, in 1900). To make one glass of Free Cuba, 50 ml of Bacardi white rum is required. How to drink this smoothie? The International Association of Bartenders characterizes it as a “long drink”. A cocktail is served in highball glasses. First, ice cubes are poured into the container. Then lime juice (10 ml) is squeezed, light rum is poured. The glass is filled with cola (about 120 ml). The edges of the glass are decorated with a slice of lime. The Cuba Libre cocktail has many variations. Coca-Cola can be replaced by soda, and white rum can be a fortified dark counterpart.
Ready-made cocktails in the Bacardi collection
There are no less legendary mixes based on the “Map of the Form”. These are Mojito, Daiquiri and Pina Colada. They are considered complex cocktails, the preparation of which is possible only for professional bartenders. Therefore, the company "Bacardi" launched the production of finished drinks. Their strength is 15% vol. The proportions of the ingredients are the most ideal. Now it’s enough to unscrew the bottle cap and pour a cocktail based on light Rum “Bacardi” into glasses.
How to drink Mojito? Put ice cubes in a tall glass - they will refresh the taste and make it more convex. Add a cocktail. Garnish with a slice of lime and three mint leaves. “Pina Colada” and “Daiquiri” are usually drunk through a straw. Cocktails are poured into glasses with wide edges.
Overview of the amber brands of Rum “Bacardi”
These distillates get their cognac color due to the long (at least five years) aging in oak barrels. The most common brand of this type is “Bacardi Reserve”. How to drink amber-colored rum? With "Reserve" you can make mixes, interfering with soda, cola, juices and syrups. But most often the amber Bacardi drink solo, throwing a few ice cubes into the glass. This applies, first of all, to expensive brands of golden rum - “Gold” (or “Oro”), “Oakhart” (“Heart of Oak”), “1873 Soler”, “Anyeho”. The exception is Bacardi 151. The strength of this rum is 75.5% vol. This brand is designed to recall the brutal drink of pirates of past centuries. If you do not want to burn your throat, dilute Bacardi 151 with soda or other soda.
Amber Rum Cocktails
As we have already said, golden Bacardi are good and pure. For long drinks, we only add ice to make the distillate taste more faceted, convex and refreshing. And with what is better to drink Amber Bacardi rum? Here is the recipe for the original cocktail. You can call this drink a mix with a stretch. After all, a glass of Spice & Ice cocktail contains only ice cubes and rum. Separately, dried fruits (washed and scalded) are served on a saucer. This is prunes and dried apricots, but you can replace them with a tropical composition - dates and figs. Golden "Bacardi" can be consumed in those cocktails where light rum is indicated in the recipe. Caramel and vanilla notes of distillate will give the whole composition a slightly Caribbean hue.
What do they drink black Bacardi rum with?
The dark varieties of the collection have a refined taste, pleasant aroma. Therefore, gourmets prefer to drink such drinks without any snack, like cognac. But unlike the last distillate, which is customary to warm in the palms, rum, on the contrary, is very cold. This drink is poured into glasses with a thick bottom and walls. So it will stay cold longer. The most famous representative of the dark collection of the company is Bacardi Black. With what to drink rum of this brand? It can be served as a digestif at the end of the meal, with tropical fruits. Gourmets usually decorate the edge of a glass with a slice of lime. This rum (it is also called “Bacardi Map of Negra”) has an excellent taste, which combines all the flavors of the tropical islands of the Caribbean - flowers, spices, notes of unprecedented fruit and wood. To interrupt such splendor with something else is not worth it. Serve separately light snacks: dessert cheeses, nuts, fruits.
Rum "Bacardi Card Negra": what is drunk with cocktails?
Nevertheless, gourmets have come up with several recipes for mixtures in which the notorious dark “Black” is the main component. This is, above all, a hot grog. Bakkardi Karta Negra is mixed with hot water (but not boiling water), cane sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. The grog is poured into wide circles with a ring instead of a handle. There is a shot with Bacardi Black. To prepare it, a well-chilled grog is poured into a small glass. Served with a mug of orange sprinkled with ground cinnamon. First rum is drunk, and then snack on flavored citrus.