TIP OF THE DAY: Flavored Shots
 Delicious by the shot: No mixers needed! Photo courtesy Blue Chair Bay Rum. |
While spiced rum has been around since the 1940s*, the more modern trend of flavored spirits began with vodka in the 1980s.
The first flavored vodka, that inspired scores of other flavors, was Absolut Peppar, in 1986. Absolut Citron followed in 1988, and then the floodgates opened as Stolichnaya and other brands created their own versions. Absolut has launched 17 different flavors†; and newer brands like Pinnacle, Three Olives and Van Gogh focus only on flavored vodkas. Flavored tequilas arrived more quietly—first chile and coffee flavors and now, vodka-style, they’re branching out to fruit (we’re fond of El Jimador’s new Mango Mango and Mexican Lime). While the distillers of these flavored spirits provide plenty of cocktail recipes and expect bloggers and mixologists to develop many more, the plain truth is that they are delicious as shots. So today’s tip is: Enjoy flavored shots as you relax over the weekend (in moderation, of course). This weekend, we’ll be serving two tropical flavors from Blue Chair Bay, a brand created by singer Kenny Chesney. The line has four expressions: Banana Rum, Coconut Rum, Coconut Spiced Rum and White Rum (plain). |
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At 53 proof (as opposed to 80 proof or higher with conventional rum and other spirits), Blue Chair Bay Rum is made for sipping straight. All three flavors are delicious, but as an avid fan of the Piña Colada, the Banana Rum captured our fantasy. It’s rum with caramelized banana flavor, but you’ll also find hints of coconut and plenty of sweetness. †Absolut flavors, in order of launch: Peppar, Citron, Kurant, Mandrin, Vanilia, Raspberri, Apeach, Ruby Red, Pears, Mango, Berry Açaí, Wild Tea, Orient Apple, Grapevine, Cherrykran, Hibiskus and Cilantro. Note that flavored vodkas have been home-infused in Russia and elsewhere for centuries; but Absolut was the first flavored vodka sold commercially in the U.S. |
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IF YOU REALLY WANT A COCKTAIL… Blue Chair Bay enlisted the help of selected bloggers to create recipes, which they sent to us along with a sample of the rum. This ice cream cocktail, from The Blond Cook, can substitute for dessert: RECIPE: SPICED BANANA CREAM COCKTAIL, A DESSERT Ingredients For 4 Drinks 1. PLACE all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. 2. GARNISH and serve with a straw. |
 Enjoy this one for dessert. Photo courtesy TheBlondCook.com. |
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If you’d like some chocolate in your cocktail, try this one from ThePinkFlour.com: RECIPE: CHOCOLATE BANANA COCONUT COLADA Ingredients For 2 Drinks 1. PLACE all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour and serve. For dessert, serve with chocolate cookies. RECIPE: COCONUT CREAM MARTINI Ingredients For 1 Drink 1. COMBINE the rum, half and half and vanilla over ice in a shaker; shake to blend. 2. DIP the rim of the Martini glass in honey and then in coconut flakes for garnish. Add rum blend and serve.
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