Sips & Synopsis

• This Weeks Makings

• Trivia Question

• Drink of the Week - El Presidente

• The Legend of Don Q

• Bonus Cocktails

• Mocktail Moment - Zero Proof Piña Colada

This Weeks Makings.

I’m writing this week’s newsletter from Puerto Rico, where rum is not just an ingredient. It’s history, culture, and daily life.

There is something different about drinking rum where it’s made. It tastes brighter. Fresher. More intentional.

This week we’re diving into:

• The story behind Puerto Rico’s most beloved rum

• A featured drink that lets quality rum shine

• Mojito variations with a seasonal twist

• A zero proof piña colada that proves rum is not required for paradise

Trivia Question❓

Which country produces more rum than anywhere else in the world?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

El Presidente

A classic Caribbean cocktail that highlights aged rum with elegance.

Ingredients
1.5 oz aged Puerto Rican rum
0.75 oz dry vermouth
0.5 oz orange curaçao
0.25 oz grenadine

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled and properly diluted.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

4. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.

Why this drink matters
El Presidente is refined and balanced. The rum carries warmth, vermouth adds structure, curaçao brings citrus depth, and grenadine provides subtle sweetness. It’s tropical without being sugary.

The Legacy of Don Q

In Puerto Rico, rum is not novelty. It is tradition.

One of the island’s most iconic producers is Don Q, crafted by the Serrallés family since 1865. Named after Don Quixote, the rum reflects both heritage and independence.

Unlike many mass-market rums, Don Q emphasizes clean distillation and aging precision. Puerto Rican law requires rum to be aged at least one year in oak barrels, and strict production standards ensure quality and consistency.

The climate plays a role too. Warm Caribbean temperatures accelerate aging, meaning rum develops complexity faster than it would in cooler regions. That warmth creates soft vanilla notes, subtle caramel, and a smooth finish that works beautifully in both spirit-forward cocktails and tropical classics.

Drinking rum here reminds you that terroir matters. Climate matters. Craft matters.

If you’re building your rum toolkit at home, a few simple upgrades elevate everything:

• Double jigger for accurate pours

• Lewis bag and mallet for crushed ice

• Citrus press for fresh lime juice

Good rum deserves good technique.

Bonus Cocktails

Pomegranate Mojito

Bright, juicy, and perfect for warm evenings.

Ingredients
2 oz white rum
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
0.75 oz pomegranate juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
6 to 8 fresh mint leaves
Sparkling water

Directions
Gently muddle mint with lime juice and simple syrup in a shaker. Add rum and pomegranate juice with ice and shake briefly. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with mint and pomegranate seeds.

Why it works
Pomegranate adds tart fruit depth that keeps the mojito from tasting overly sweet.

Classic Mojito

Fresh, clean, and timeless.

Ingredients
2 oz white rum
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
0.75 oz simple syrup
8 mint leaves
Sparkling water

Directions
Gently muddle mint with lime juice and syrup. Add rum and ice and stir. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. Garnish with mint.

Why it works
Rum, lime, mint, and sugar create one of the most balanced refreshing cocktails ever created.

Zero Proof Piña Colada

Creamy, tropical, and surprisingly satisfying without rum.

Ingredients
3 oz pineapple juice
1 oz coconut cream
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
1 oz coconut milk

Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with pineapple or toasted coconut.

Why it works
The richness of coconut and brightness of pineapple carry the drink. Rum adds warmth in the traditional version, but the flavor profile stands beautifully on its own.