John Hinojos

Had this again for UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day. Wanted to make it a bit drier so omitted the sugar syrup and cut the vermouth by a quarter.

Made this again but using Edinburgh Gin. Edinburgh Gin is my favourite gin as it has a spice and punch that many other gins do not. The gin made this cocktail really pop. The herbal flavours pull out the floral nature of the violet, but still is not sweet. Upped my rating by 1/2 star.

I loved this cocktail, but you MUST like an angrcole rhum flavour. It will not be for everyone.
I used a Barbados gold and Neisson Rhum Agricole Blanc over proof. I chose a Barbados rum as Barbados does not allow sugar adulteration to its rum. Many Cuban, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Island rums allow added sugar. Unadulterated rum goes better with Agricole.

A great cocktail. Here are my ratios (I like to keep it simple):
2 White Rum (Plantation/Plantaray)
1 Pomegranate Juice (POM brand)
3/4 Lemon Juice
3/4 Orgeat
1/2 Egg white

Thanks for the suggestion. We followed your measurements, and added some fresh strawberries in the glass with a 151 Rum float. Wonderful.

What a wonderful cocktail. Used Jerry Sungold's adjusted recipe and used a few fresh strawberries as a garnish. As we are big rum drinkers, added a small float of 151 rum. Outstanding.

Made this again, but wanted it not as sweet.
Use St. James Martinique Acricole, Stades Barbados ambre, Neissen Martinique overproof white, Hamilton Jamaican Black. Also used Clement Creole Shrub in place of the dry curacao and Amaretto in place of the Orgate.
Result was a wonderful Agricole Mai Tai. If you like the taste of agricole rhum, try this option.

This was outstanding. But you MUST love agricole rhum or it will not taste correct for you. The grassy and funk nature of agricole works perfectly.
I used a Martinique rhum, a high proof Caribbean blend by Hamilton, and a Hamilton Black Jamaican Rum. The mixtures of the unadulterated rum from Martinique and Jamaica work wonderfully together.
On my favourites.

Thanks John. I'll be looking for those.
Having noticed how sweet Planteray Three star is I won't buy it now. Enjoying the Barbancourt 8 yr old.

If you go to the internet and search rum sweetness chart you will find a somewhat easy to use chart on how much adulterated sugar is added to the rum. I use the one from Rum Revelations. It will help you in your search for less sweet rums.

Outstanding indeed. I Just got a bottle of Hamilton 86 Demerara based on your advice to another discerning drinker re black rum a while back. Did not disappoint to say the least. If I might ask what do you recommend for a light charcoal filtered rum?

For my rum I tend toward those with less sugar adulteration. My go to rums for most mixed cocktail is Stade's gold or white. It is from Barbados which forbids sugar adulteration. I use both Stade's Rum Bond No.8 for gold; Stade's Rum Beach Vat No 1 white.

I am a rum purist and do not accept any sugar adulteration. I want the full flavour of the rum. I tend toward rums from Jamaica, Barbados, Martinique, or Haiti.

Simon. Thank you so much for this cocktail. I normally find Manhattans a bit too sweet, but this is perfect. Nicely balanced with a hint of chocolate and orange. Not overly sweet. Perfect for an evening sipper.

Had this again as an evening sipper. Used dry vermouth to cut down on the sweetness as we like our cocktails on the dry side. Perfect as always. Did add a spray of absinthe on the top of the cocktail as well as being in the cocktail

This cocktail was great. Similar to a Vesper in flavour. Did not have the Ginseng bitters so I substituted Fernet (suggestion from the internet) with a drop of orange bitters. Perfect for an aperitivo. Would definitely have again.
Thanks Simon for another winner.

Made this again, but added a small 151 Rum float. Pulls out the rum and spice flavours more. Would recommend if you do not mind a spirit forward cocktail.

Had this again, but we eliminated all the sugar syrup. Resulted in a cocktail which had a touch of sweetness, but wonderfully herbal. Very refreshing.

Had this again for St. Patrick's Day. Did cut back on the sugar syrup a little. Made it a bit drier.
I think the 5 ranking on the sweet and dry schedule is off. Should be a 7 or 8.

Wonderful for an evening sipper. Sweet enough to be interesting, but still on the drier side.

Beautiful cocktail. Flavourful and with a unctuous mouth feel. A variety of spices and tastes. A good old fashioned style cocktail. We had for an evening sipper with some amaretto biscuits.

Had again for International Women's Day. It was just a good as I remembered.

After 4 years had this again. We used an amber Barbados rum and added a 151 float. It was outstanding. Strong, but great.

Coming back to this cocktail after four years, still like it, but may back off on the Licor 43 a tad to make it a little less sweet.

Loving Absinthe and New Orleans cocktails, this was outstanding as an after dinner cocktail on Mardi Gras. It is a bit sweet and you MUST like absinthe, but it is wonderful.

Made again but used a combination of Anejo and Reposado tequila. Gives a much more prominent tequila flavour.