Hello and happy long weekend Friday everyone. I’m checking in from Forward Operating Base: Cape Cod this week. I’ve been isolating here since I went to Las Vegas for a bachelor party last week. Given that Sharkette isn’t vaccinated yet (looking at you FDA. You have Moderna data, review it!) I felt it wise to hang out here to make sure I don’t have the ‘rona. California contingent, I promise the next time I’m that far West, I’ll make sure to head out your way.

The party itself was a lot of fun. It felt somewhat normal to be back out there and doing Vegas things again. I had a really good drink at a bar out at the end of Freemont street that I wanted to re-create for this week, however, it requires falernum, and that apparently isn’t a thing in my neck of the Cape. Not even for delivery. So, the Vegas cocktail will have to wait for next week’s post.

The drink I wanted to make involved a base of overproof rum, so I wanted to keep that as a base because I’ve been derelict on my use of rum in this space. Some internet sleuthing had me come across Jasper’s Rum Punch from the Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails book by Ted Haigh. So, I feel like I’ve been able to use my own library, despite not having access to the collection so hooray internet!

Jasper’s Rum Punch

1.5 oz. Wray and Nephew overproof rum

1.5 oz. Jasper’s Secret Mix*

Cherry to top

Nutmeg Grated on top

*Jasper’s Secret Mix scaled down to make one drink (hat tip to Kaiser Penguin for the adjustment)

.75 oz Lime juice

.5 oz 2:1 simple syrup mix

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

First observation, this drink is COLD. The glass is nice and frosty, in spite of being at room temperature when I added the crushed ice. The aroma is mostly nutmeg. My one dash was a little more than I wanted to top with, so hopefully it doesn’t affect the flavor too much. I get a little bit of the bitters scent in there too, which adds a little tropical theme to this. It is a rum based drink, so it might be a little bit of power of suggestion to make me think tropics, but I get that impression off the top.

The flavor itself is sour up front, with a little bit of nutmeg on the back end to help offset some of the sour flavor. Apparently my worries of using too much were unfounded. The lime juice and the bitters really carry the flavor all the way through. The rum is a secondary player here, which is a bit surprising given the overproof style in play here. I figured I would be able to get a little bit of a boozy flavor from it but I can’t detect any.

This is a great summer sipper, perfect for the unofficial start of summer. This will be a very refreshing beverage to consume on a hot day outside. Though I would suggest enjoying one. Not just for the overproof rum at work here, but the sour flavor profile going on, I don’t know if I could have more than one of these in a sitting. Maybe two if I nursed it along. Have fun and enjoy the weekend!

(Banner image found here)