It may not be the easiest thing to make because of the need to find black sugar; but if you’re a Black Eyed Peas fan, as we are, it’s worth the effort.

THE BACARDI V.I.PEA COCKTAIL

Ingredients

– 2 parts Bacardi Superior rum
– 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
– 2 teaspoons black sugar
– Cubed and crushed ice
– Garnish: 4 black-eyed peas on a skewer, lime slice

Preparation

1. Place all ingredients into a shaker and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Fill shaker with half cubed ice and half crushed ice. Shake vigorously until chilled.
3. Double strain into a chilled or frozen coupette glass or a martini glass.

Join the Black Eye Peas in a V.I.Pea
Cocktail. Photo courtesy Baccardi.

Black sugar, an unprocessed (raw) sugar made from pure sugar cane juice, is a common ingredient in Asian cooking. It is almost black in color.

Like other unrefined sugars (turbinado, for example), it is healthier and has more flavor than processed white sugar. The nutrition and flavor come from the molasses, calcium, iron, potassium and other minerals that are components of unrefined sugar. Compare it to other raw sugars, such as demerara, muscovado and turbinado sugar (see our Sugar Glossary for all types of sugar).

In Japan and Taiwan, lumps of black sugar are eaten as candy (as well as made into various hard and soft candies). If you’re in a restaurant that serves lumps of turbinado sugar with coffee, chew on one and you’ll get the idea. Black sugar and fresh ginger are made into a popular addition to ginger tea.

The finest black sugar is produced in Okinawa, Japan, although Taiwan and China also make it. Look for black sugar in Asian markets.