The Essential Summer Cocktail Spirit

Name your summer cocktail favourites: the Mojito, Pina Colada, Daiquiri and Mai Tai all have rum in common as their base spirit. Because it comes in so many styles, with different aromas and tastes, the ideal rum can really dial up each cocktail’s flavours. Find these cocktail recipes online at lcbo.com/fdearlysummer22.

MOJITO

Nearly a century ago, when Julep-loving American tourists mixed it up with sugar- and limeenhanced Cuban cocktails, this iconic drink was born. Classic (founded in 1862) Bacardi Superior White Rum (LCBO 117, $29.95) is still the best mixer.

DAIQUIRI

Another Cuban-born cocktail, this ultrasimple drink (just rum, lime juice and sugar) demands quality rum. El Dorado 3 Year Old Rum (LCBO 402859, $29.50), made in Guyana and barrel-aged for smoothness then filtered for clarity, lends coconut and vanilla notes.

PINA COLADA

Though white rum is traditional in this creamy, blended drink, juicy, barrel-aged Plantation Pineapple Rum (LCBO 512657, $39.95)— made with the peel, fruit and distillate of real pineapples—bursts out of the glass.

MAI TAI

A cocktail from the Trader Vic’s retro-lounge canon adds orange liqueur and almond syrup (orgeat) to Daiquiri flavours, with a darker rum base. Try Flor de Caña 5 Year Rum Añejo Clásico (LCBO 602920, $29.45), made in Nicaragua, which has bright orange-zest and nutty notes.