I started cocktail week in 2015 as an opportunity for me to celebrate adult beverages in an approachable way. I’m not a bartender but I love to experiment and try out new things at home. You know, sort of like a home baker? But with cocktails instead. I love focusing on simple cocktails (check out one of my 5 minute cocktails) and I believe cocktails don’t have to be difficult to make at home. This year, I’m so excited to focus on WOMEN INSPIRED COCKTAILS – I can barely contain myself.
I’m not sure if every cocktail week will have a theme. Truth be told, I love a theme. Themes (especially theme parties) make life easier in my opinion. Or at least they should make life easier. No party guest wants to feel burdened by someone’s theme but for the host, they can certainly make life easier (I did have a pineapple-themed party once).
Anyway, I think if I’m hit with an idea (themed or not) for future cocktail weeks, I’ll go with it. In the meantime, I think I’m into this women inspired cocktail theme. Any thoughts on who inspired today’s cocktail? Three guesses.
ONE
TWO
THREE
Women inspired cocktails: Master of Rum
Did you guess Lena Waithe? If you did, good job.
I first became aware of Lena from the Netflix original show, Master of None with Aziz Ansari. She plays one of the best friends of Aziz’s character, Denise. Since seeing her on this show, she has become a friend in my head. Do you have any of those? I love Lena! She’s talented, very smart, funny and her relationship with her fiance is magical. Did you catch Lena on the cover of Vanity Fair recently? I pretty much pitched a fit when I couldn’t find it IMMEDIATELY in my local Publix.
Don’t worry, I found it.
There have been two seasons of Master of None so far. Not sure if a third season is coming but I hope so – it’s a really great show. On the second season (don’t worry, no spoilers), there’s an episode dedicated to Lena’s character, Denise. This episode, called the Thanksgiving episode, took place in the 90’s and shows Denise coming out to her family. The episode is so brilliantly written, funny and eye-opening. Also it’s worth noting that Angela Bassett plays her mom and it’s just wonderful.
So this cocktail is inspired by Lena Waithe specifically from the Thanksgiving episode of Master of None – hence the use of cranberry juice. This drink is perfect for casual weekend sipping. It’s not very strong and it’s rather light and tropical. Make a big batch of it and binge watch Master of None if you haven’t watched it already. Ready for the recipe?
Cocktail Week: Master of Rum
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz rum
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- Ginger beer
- Optional: rosemary (around the rim and a sprig in the drink) and charred lemon garnish
Instructions
- If you'd like to recreate the rosemary garnish around the rim, simply chop up a bit of rosemary then rub a lime (or lemon) on a portion of the glass; dip in the chopped rosemary.
- In a glass, mix the rum and both juices; add in the cranberry juice ice cubes then top with ginger beer.
