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Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum.
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Rum is boiled down from sugar cane to molasses, which is fermented and distilled. Normally 80 proof in both light and dark rums.
Light rums are produced in Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Barbados. Six months to one year of aging is all that is generally needed. Color of Light rum is clear to pale gold.
Dark rums come from Jamaica, Haiti and Martinique. Aged from three to tweleve years, and sometimes with caramel added. Dark rums are colored from amber to dark mahogany. The best of the dark rums can be enjoyed as if it was a fine brandy.
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151 proof rums are to be found, which are excellent for drinks and desserts that require flaming, the lighting on fire of the food or beverage.
Specialty rums are being introduced, with flavorings from fruits, spices and even coconut. These are a great twist to an old favorite.
Rum is the base for most all exotic or tropical cocktails. Bartenders may garnish these with orchids, paper parasols and plastic monkeys. Also served with fruit juices or in odd glasses, such as the coconut shell.
Taking a trip to Martinique? Look for a special rum punch when ordering a drink. "One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak." Remember the formula, as one is only handed a jug, a slice of lime, a bottle of syrup, a bottle of rum and finally, a bottle of water. Get it right and enjoy.
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The British Royal Navy in the mid-1600s had a daily ration of a half-pint of rum. This allowance was only phased out in 1970. However, in 1740, one Admiral Vernon had the ration diluted with water. This outraged the crews, causing them to call their watered rum "Grog" after Admiral Vernon's nickname, which came from his choice of coat, made from grogham.
The Daiquiri has two stories about its origins. One is very simply, by a barman in Havana, Cuba in the early 1900s. The other is that the daiquiri is named after Daiquiri, Cuba. Reportedly, in 1898 the town's doctors would use rum as malaria medicine, where American engineers would add lime juice and sugar to make the medicine go down a bit easier.
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