5 OF THE RUM BEST
In honour of International Rum Day tomorrow, Sally Coates finds five ways to do a pirate proud with the toast of the Coast
LOCAL BOTTLES BEENLEIGH DISTILLERY 142 DISTILLERY RD, EAGLEBY
Take in some history and wash it down with rum. Not only do these guys specialise in rum, they’re also the oldest registered distillery in Australia, established since 1884, making them the original Australian rum. Venue manager Linda McConnell says they’ve currently got eight different rums at various stages on-site, plus regular tours and tastings, so fans can experience rum in its purest form – straight from the source.
COCKTAILS CAMBUS WALLACE 4/2237 GOLD COAST HWY, MERMAID BEACH
A bar named after an old sunken ship needs a hearty rum selection. “We have a focus on rum, it can be used pretty much as any spirit – you’ve got white rum used as vodka or dark, spiced rum like whiskey,” co-owner Dave Ferry says. “You can do really good tropical sours with rum, or classic stirred cocktails like an Old Fashioned, which everybody loves.”
APPLE PIE SOPO DINING AUSTRALIA FAIR METRO, YOUNG ST, SOUTHPORT
It’s not uncommon to find rum in winter-warming desserts, and one of Southport’s own serves a sweet classic with a twist. “For our apple pie the apple is soaked in Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and served as a parcel with cranberries, vanilla-bean ice cream, ginger anglaise and black sesame praline,” owner and chef Julie Rogers says.
MOJITO CHICKEN EL PATIO DE CUBA 3240-3280 SURFERS PARADISE BLVD, SURFERS PARADISE
They say you should eat while you drink, and at El Patio de Cuba you can do both at once with the mojito chicken. For this satisfying dish, free-range chicken breast is marinated in lime, mint and rum, then chargrilled, served with a baked potato and topped with sour cream and chives and a garden salad.
BOUNTY SHAKE MAIN STREET BURGER BAR SHOP 53, OASIS SHOPPING CENTRE, VICTORIA AVENUE, BROADBEACH
The new Broadbeach addition’s Vegan Bounty shake bears an uncanny likeness to its confectionary namesake, and should your ID read 18 or over, you can give it a little extra somethin’ somethin’. The optional coconut rum blends perfectly with the Bounty flavours, allowing you to still enjoy the taste along with a slight buzz.