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Today is National Rum Day! There might not be fireworks, parades, or a day off work, but if you’re a Castaway today is a grand day worth celebrating. Why do we celebrate National Rum Day with such gusto? Because rum is as much a part of the Caribbean as the blue water and sandy beaches. It is a part of the islands we can bring back with us. It connects us to memories made on those sandy shores, and every time we take a sip we are instantly transported back to that moment in time.

Every time I drink a Painkiller I’m taken back to a gleaming white catamaran and the north shore of St. John. We snorkeled Lovango Cay, Waterlemon Cay, went ashore at Salomon Bay and sipped Painkillers and listened to Chesney’s Be As You Are album the entire time. It was a day spent with great friends and I can honestly say it might have been one of the best days of my life.  From that moment on, the Painkiller connects me to that glorious day. I have a feeling many of you can tell the same story.

To celebrate National Rum day I put together a little video celebrating the big day. In it I’ll show you a few of my favorite rums, chase after rum bottles like a thirsty pirate and other craziness. Let’s have some National Rum Day fun! Cheers!

National Rum Day – RumShopRyan Style

Being that today is all things rum, I’m going to list 5 of my favorite rum drinks. Like I mentioned above, these drinks are my favorites because they connect me to a memory. You know the Painkiller story, here are a few others. I hope you’re thirsty!

RumShopRyan’s Top 5 Rum Drinks

The Soggy Dollar Pain Killer:

  • 2 oz dark rum (Pusser’s Rum)
  • 1 oz cream of coconut
  • 4 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz orange juice

Mixing Instructions: Add all the ingredients to mixing glass. Shake well. Pour into glass with ice. Grate fresh nutmeg over the top. Raise glass and toast.

The Cruzan Rum VooDoo Juice

VooDoo Juice takes me back to the sandy floor of Iggies Beach Bar at Bolongo Bay Resort on St. Thomas. Bolongo Bay has been the location of the last two Castaways Winter Beach Bash parties. This drink represents those amazing times and the people that shared them with me.

Ingredients:

  • 1oz. Cruzan Pineapple Rum
  • 1oz. Cruzan Banana Rum
  • 1oz. Cruzan Coconut Rum
  • 1oz. Cruzan Citrus Rum
  • 0.5oz. Cruzan Dark Rum
  • 3oz. Cranberry Juice
  • 3oz. Pineapple Juice

Mixing Instructions: Fill bucket (or really large glass) with ice and pour in the Pineapple, Banana, Coconut and Citrus Cruzan rums. Then add the Cranberry and Pineapple Juice and top with Cruzan Dark rum. Raise bucket and toast.

Island Girl- Blue Chair Bay Rum

The Island Girl drink takes me back to Orlando and the Blue Chair Bay Rum launch party. We got to hang out with Kenny, not officially meet him, but he was close enough I could have tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Thanks for the music man.”

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz. Blue Chair Bay Coconut
  • 
1 oz. orange juice
  • 1 oz. pineapple juice
  • 2 oz. lemon-lime soda

Mixing Instructions: Add ingredients directly to tall glass with ice. Stir, then garnish with orange wheel and cherry. Raise glass and toast.

Bahamian Goombay Smash

Man I love this drink. Every time I drink a Goombay Smash I’m transported to Harbor Island in the Bahamas. We were at the Romora Bay Resort having lunch, I ordered one of these drinks and when I took a sip my knees nearly buckled. It was damn strong but so so good. Thank you for the memories Harbor Island.

Ingredients: (serves two)

  • 6 oz. pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup Malibu rum or other coconut-flavored rum
  • 2 oz. light rum
  • 2 oz. gold rum
  • 2 oz. dark rum
  • 2 pineapple wedges
  • 2 orange slices

Mixing Instructions:  Fill cocktail shaker with ice; add pineapple juice, orange juice, and all rum. Cover and shake until very cold. Fill 2 short glasses with ice. Strain cocktail mixture over, dividing equally. Garnish with pineapple wedges and orange slices. Raise glass and toast.

Goombay Smash

Poor Man’s Rum Punch

Sometimes (a lot of the time) I don’t fee like being fancy and mixing up a crazy complicated rum drink. I drink this one often and call it the Poor Man’s Rum Punch. I use this recipe most for tailgates and beach days.

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz. V8 Splash Berry Blend
  • 1oz. Dark Rum
  • 1 oz. Light Rum
  • Splash of Bitters

Mixing Instructions: Mix all together in red solo cup. Raise glass and enjoy.

 

RumShopRyan Rum Models

Being that today is all things rum, I wanted to share 5 of my favorite models. Nothing spices up a photo shoot like a glistening model with clean lines. They say sex sells and I have to agree with them, because when I see one of these beauties on the shelf I definitely want to pick one up. No I’m not talking about a long legged woman, I’m talking about rum.

National Rum day

National Rum day

National Rum Day

National Rum Day

Wicked Dolphin Rum National Rum day

Name Your Top 5 Rum Drinks

Some rums are great to sip on, some rums are great to mix. I’m a fan of both, but nothing makes you feel like you’re in the Caribbean quite like a rum concoction mixed fruit juices to relax away the day. Leave a comment below and tell me what your “Top 5” rum drinks are.

This post has been a celebration of rum. We’ve talked about rum recipes, rum models and I even poured “rum” over my head like a crazy person. Like I said, National Rum Day might not be the biggest holiday in the world, but to us Caribbean Castaways it’s about as big as it gets.

Have a great rum day everyone!
Cheers!
RumShopRyan

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About the Author: RumShopRyan

Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. To learn more, visit our About Us Page.