25Nov 2015

Amber Rum Cocktails | Rum Smash

By Tracy Chin 0 Drinks, Recipes Amber Rum Box, cocktail, cocktail party, cocktails, discount code Permalink 0

The other day, I got my first Shaker & Spoon subscription box in the mail… and I am so hooked. I’ve always wanted to make fancy cocktails for my friends but I never got into it because it was overwhelming when I thought about all the different things I had to buy. I have a bar cart at home but it hardly gets used because I haven’t curated a very useful supply of cocktail ingredients. Instead, my bar cart is filled with random liquor, maybe a bottle of bitters here and some syrup there – typically, I’m at least one ingredient short of mixing an actual, yummy-tasting cocktail.
That’s exactly why I love the Shaker & Spoon subscription box – each month, they send you all the ingredients to make 3 different kinds of cocktails, for 12 drinks! All you need to supply is the alcohol. Buying 1 ingredient sure beats having to hunt through Bev Mo for the various bitters, syrups, juices and fruit you need to make 3 different cocktail recipes. And I was so stoked that they give you enough of everything to make 12 drinks- it’s like a cocktail party in a box. The Rum Smash is the first cocktail I made out of the Amber Rum Box. I thought I’d share this first since Thanksgiving is tomorrow and this drink has cinnamon syrup in it, perfect for Fall and holiday coziness.

Here are the ingredients:

2 dashes Angostura bitters
1/8 lemon
1/2 oz cinnamon syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice (juice of 1/2 lemon)
3 mint sprigs
2 oz rum

The Amber Rum Box came with everything except the rum. Shaker & Spoon recommends Don Q Gold, a medium-quality, inexpensive rum, however, any gold or amber rum will do. To make all 12 drinks, you will need 24 oz of rum- a medium (750ml) bottle will be more than enough.

Each subscription box comes with 3 cocktail recipe cards with clear instructions on what you need to do – super easy. I love how it shows you all the different terminology if you’re not familiar. Like how this particular cocktail is served in a rocks glass… and there’s a picture. There’s even a glossary card to show you all the different barware you need. Very helpful for a beginner like me.

The Rum Smash is a drink that gets muddled and shaken.

Here’s how you mix the drink:

Add the syrup, 1 mint sprig, and 1/8 lemon to shaker. Muddle gently for 6 seconds.
Add the bitters, lemon juice, and rum. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake for 6 seconds.
Strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with cubed ice.
Garnish with mint and a straw if desired.

And that’s it! I know it’s silly but I was pretty proud of myself when I was done. I was surprised how quick and easy it was. So excited to make this drink at Thanksgiving. The Rum Smash would be delish before dinner as we’re waiting for all the yummy carbs to cook in the oven.The Rum Smash is just one of three cocktails from the Amber Rum Box. I’ll be sharing the other two recipes this week after Thanksgiving. Even more exciting, our friends at Shaker & Spoon are offering a special 15% discount to Agency Addicts readers. Use discount code: AGENCY15 to get 15% off your next Shaker & Spoon purchase.