The 10 best rum cocktails around the country
It's national rum day on Wednesday
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Proving that no space is wasted in London, Tower Bridge’s latest hot spot is a public conveniences turned 1930s speakeasy bar. Bermondsey Arts Club has stripped out most signs of its former life to create a basement bar whose cocktails are just as pretty as its art-deco interiors. Made using ingredients from nearby Borough Market, the drinks menu is a floral and citrus affair, changing seasonally. Order a Rocket Daiquiri: white rum, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, sugar and wild rocket leaves, for a bitter take on an old classic.
‘Golden Bride – Rhiannon’ at The Dead Canary - Cardiff
Taking inspiration from The Mabinogion, a collection of some of Britain’s earliest prose, The Dead Canary’s cocktail list is an original selection of drinks that focus on natural herbs and spices. Its rum-based offering, “Golden Bride – Rhiannon” (an important figure in Celtic mythology) mixes Bacardi Heritage with kumquat liqueur, mascarpone, quince tea, and lemon. Concealed behind fire exit doors, the bar might not look like much from the outside, but it certainly makes that up for that inside with low lighting, speakeasy vibes and live music.
‘Blake’s Swizzle’ at Bobby Fitzpatrick - London
From the same group behind Exmouth Market’s renowned Coin Laundry comes Bobby Fitzpatrick, a shag pad of 1970s good times. The West Hampstead bar is inspired by the fictional Fitzpatrick, an Austin Powers-esque figure: expect tropical vibes in the form of rum cocktails, a celebrity wall of fame and drinks named after lost loves and life experiences. Try Blake’s Swizzle, with chilli-infused rum, triple sec, lime and vanilla sugar.
Piña colada at Cane & Grain - Manchester
The day would not be complete without sipping on a legendary piña colada. So step up Cane & Grain in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter. You’ll have to clamber to the top floor of this restaurant to try the classic cocktail which is served in dedicated tiki bar, The Liars Lounge, which has all the kitsch you need when drinking a piña colada, from a straw-hut style bar through to fluorescent posters and those stick umbrellas.
The Westwood at Dandelyan - London
Dandelyan on Southbank has had all sorts of weighty titles thrown at it, most recently being named the world’s best bar by Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Indulge your National Rum Day cravings with one of the crafted tipples. The Westwood is a good bet as it infuses caña brava rum, Diplomatico rum, pineapple sherbert and yellow chartreuse for a drink that is as punchy as its namesake, Vivienne Westwood.
Glen Coco at Island Bar - Birmingham
Stocking more than 70 types of rum, the quirky little Brummie spot that is the Island Bar shakes cocktails inspired by The Simpsons. The Flamin Moe, made from orange liqueur, cotton candy syrup and Wray & Nephew rum, is short and sweet, and is – as the name suggests – set on fire. But for something slightly cooler, the Glen Coco is made from rum, chocolate liqueur, coconut puree, cream and milk.
Naughty Gingerbread Man at Demon, Wise & Partners - London
National Rum Day may be in August, but this basement spot is putting a wintry twist on offerings with their Naughty Gingerbreadman cocktail. Mixing Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, coconut milk, ginger syrup, and creme de cacao, Demon, Wise & Partners’s cocktail is a nightcap in a glass.
Mister Mistoffelees at Kelvingrove Cafe - Glasgow
Kelvingrove Cafe’s Victorian features have been restored with leather booths, a polished wood bar and chequered tiling. But if the interiors aren’t enough to get you over to Kelvingrove, perhaps their rum concoction will. Having updated their menu for summer, the spot has created a fresh list of fruity and simple mixes. We suggest Mister Mistoffelees which comes in a short glass and is a mix of rum, silver birch cocchi americano and intriguing catnip syrup.
Jungle Boogie at The Walrus Room - London
With vintage furniture, taxidermy-beast stuffed cabinets and hanging birdcages, The Walrus Room is every bit as topsy turvy as the Lewis Carroll poem that inspired it. With Alice-in-Wonderland themed drinks, step into the looking glass for a Jungle Boogie, a drink which mixes Blackwell Gold Rum, pineapple, rambutan, Amaro di Angostura and lime.
Walk the Plank at The Smugglers Cove - Liverpool
Liverpool’s Smugglers Cove will go some way to help you live out those pirate fantasies. Located on The Albert Dock, the restaurant and bar is filled with Old World style memorabilia, from vintage maps and old chests, but the real treasure, however, is the bar’s collection of rum, with more than 151 bottles. Test them out with a Walk the Plank, which is topped up with fruit beer, through to Strawberry Colada, a strawberry take on the piña colada.
For more info on what’s on in London, and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight.com or follow @DesignMyNight on Twitter
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