Rum Raid

by Alex Richmond

drink tank

Spring is almost, almost here. It’s finally warm enough to accept putting winter behind us and look forward to sweating. Why not fast-forward the season to summer? It’s easy enough to do with one simple ingredient: Rum. What tastes more like summer in a glass than a mojito? The taste of fresh mint transports you forward to a welcome summer heat, which we all could use a dose of right now.

The best rum bar in town, hands down, is Cuba Libre (10 S. Second St.). It has more than 62 varieties of the stuff, from dark to gold to spiced. In honor of its third anniversary, chef Guillermo Veloso has prepared an expansive menu, dubbed "33 tastes for $33," available on Mondays, or during the week a la carte. Of course, there's a mojito trio ($10) of three mini-mojitos, which together add up to one hefty plus-sized one. The trio includes a "classic" mojito, and Sandito and passion fruit varieties. The Sandito, made with watermelon juice, is so good it's hard not to suck it down in seconds. It's sweet and savory and just perfect. The passion fruit, a new addition to Veloso's menu, is bright and wonderful. The classic is, of course, as welcome as a warm, sunny day.

If you like your rum dark and spicy, you're in luck. Philly has spawned its own hometown spiced, flavored rum, courtesy of Steve Grasse's branding talents. To round out his clothing line based on the work of the prolific American tattoo artist, there's an extremely tasty 92-proof Sailor Jerry rum. It has a strong vanilla aroma, with a spicy, fiery aftertaste. Whoo! Strong, but yummy and very drinkable. Of course, there are a slew of cocktails you can make with the Sailor Jerry rum (think giant tiki glasses and complex concoctions like the Suffering Bastard), but my favorite way is to keep it simple. Just pour it in a glass and sip slowly. Chase with a sugar-coated lime wedge and you have yourself a Keelhaul, but why be fancy? The rum has flavor that can stand strongly on its own.

The brand of Sailor Jerry rum is very carefully protected, and only placed in a select few locations. Lucky for us in Philly, Cuba Libre and other Old City spots -- Novelty, The Continental, Marmont -- carry it too. For glam travelers, Ian Schrager Hotels are another option. Though it isn't widely carried at state stores yet, you can buy it online through links at www.sailorjerry.com/rum2.php ($14.99 a bottle). Sadly, you can't buy it at the Sailor Jerry/G-Mart store (38 N. Third St.), but it's worth visiting anyway: it has been made over by photographer (and City Paper contributor) Adam Wallacavage to look like a New Orleans cathouse, with red-and-black flocked velvet wallpaper, laser-cut mirrors and cushy couches. Stop in on a First Friday and maybe you can snag a free Sailor Jerry rum cocktail.

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