Expert: Clint Pitts - 2/1/2008

Question
Hi,
I'm going to the bahamas next week, where there will be lots of rum drinking going on.  I'm not too particular about mixers (I'll use orange, lemon, lime, pineapple juice, sprite, whatever) but my travel partner doesn't like sweet drinks.  Can you recommend a rum drink to try?

Answer
I would recommend a traditional daiquiri.  There are so many versions out today (peach, banana, strawberry, just about any flavor you can imagine).  However the original recipe is lime flavored.  The recipe does contain sugar, but the pure lime juice balances it out well so that it is not overwhelmingly sweet.  I think you travel partner will enjoy.

Here is a recipe from La Florida Cafe in Havana, Cuba that I found.

1 jigger of light rum (about 1.25-1.5 oz)
1 oz of lime juice
1 tsp of sugar

ingredients should be shaken over shaved or cracked ice and served in an  old fashioned glass with ice.

I would also recommend for both you and your friend to sample some of the local rums without mixers at all.  Being in the Bahamas will allow you access to some rums that are not available in the US, as well the ability to try some higher end rums for fairly cheap.

Hope this helps.  Enjoy the trip.