Alps in the Caribbean

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 45 ml White Rum
- 30 ml Mount Rigi Aperitif
- 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 15 ml Coffee Liqueur
- 7,5 ml Simple Syrup

GARNISH:
- Lime Wheel
- Lime Twist
- Sprig of Mint

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Strain over fresh ice into a cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a lime wheel, lime twist and a sprig of mint.

I have come up with a recipe for this cocktail while trying to figure out how to use Mount Rigi Aperitif in cocktails this summer. I wanted to create a refreshing summer style drink, so what better place start than tropical rum drinks.

After some tasting I decided to go with white rum as a base spirit, some lightly aged rum could also do the trick, but nothing too funky that could overpower the delicate cherry notes of Mount Rigi. These cherry notes pair fantastically well with coffee liqueur, giving a complex deep taste to the cocktail. I like cold brew coffee liqueur Mr. Black in this cocktail, since it is not as sweet as most of other coffee liqueurs out there. Addition of fresh lime juice brings a little bit of tropical freshness to the mix, so familiar from other rum and tiki drinks. The last addition was a touch of simple syrup to make the flavors pop a little bit more and bring them all together. Garnish with some fresh mint and a lime twist which brings some extra fragrance and a nice finish to the cocktail.

Alps in the Caribbean is my way of combining European and Caribbean tastes. Bringing them together in a perhaps unusual, but complex and tasty manner. This cocktail will take you on a little journey; starting with mint and lime fragrance, then a combination of tropical tastes led by rum and lime, and eventually leaving you with some coffee cherry notes in the end.

Enjoy.