Try a classic Bacardi cocktail for a drink dating back to the 1930s. As one of the world’s most famous rum cocktails, knowing how to make a cocktail with Bacardi rum should be mandatory for amateur and professional mixologists alike.
Although you’ve likely encountered these cocktails numerous times, whether it’s a classic cocktail or a Bacardi mojito, the lineage of this old favorite might surprise you.
What is a Bacardi Cocktail?
Let’s start with the basics: What is this cocktail, and is Bacardi good for cocktails?
Bacardi is one of the few alcohol manufacturers that has become so synonymous with cocktails that it has received one named after itself. With 21.1 million nine-liter cases of Bacardi sold last year, it’s clear that this premium rum remains a favorite worldwide.
This salmon-colored, classic cocktail makes an eye-catching addition to any bar menu. As a light rum, you’ve got a cocktail that offers a smooth, easy-drinking taste. Combine with the natural assertiveness of the citrus notes, and you have a finely balanced drink straddling the border of sweet and sour.
And essentially, this cocktail is no more than a daiquiri that has been sweetened using grenadine instead of syrup.
What is Best Mixed with Bacardi?
Firstly, it depends on whether you’re using white or dark rum. Since Bacardi has extended its range of alcohol offerings, there’s a slightly different playbook for each product.
Generally, Bacardi works like most other rums, meaning it works exceptionally well with sodas, fruit juices, water, and even coffee. It can also work with other alcohols, including gin, depending on what you’re attempting to create.
The History of the Bacardi Cocktail
Most people would argue that the best Bacardi cocktail recipe is still the original. As a Cuban company, Bacardi continues to stay in touch with its roots, which is why this brand has nailed the magic of rum.
We can trace the history of this drink back to 1917 when Cuba remained a U.S. overseas territory. From here, Bacardi quickly made its way to the fancy bars of New York City before traversing the rest of the nation.
As an easy cocktail to make at home, it’s no surprise that it has endured. In fact, as a Prohibition-era cocktail, the Bacardi even found itself the subject of a Supreme Court ruling.
In 1936, the New York Supreme Court ruled that an authentic cocktail must be made using Bacardi rum, or it must be called something else.
Due to this ruling, the original Bacardi hasn’t changed since. A simple Bacardi cocktail recipe will always follow the original recipe.
Best Weed Pairings for Bacardi Cocktails
Combining marijuana with the best cocktail recipes is nothing new. Pairing cannabis with a fancy cocktail can provide an entirely new experience.
Today, 28% of Americans aged 35-50 reported marijuana use in 2022, up from 12% in 2012. So, it makes sense that you’d want the right strain for your cocktail if you’re joining the herd.
Generally, a rum kick should be paired with Indica, but you can always flip the table. It’s all about the taste. For example, fruity summer cocktails often work best with cannabis strains with fruity/citrus notes.
Here’s a rundown of some epic weed pairings for your cocktails:
· Larry OG
· Purple Punch
· OG Kush
Each weed strain is on this list for different reasons. For example, Lemon Haze pairs excellently with the sweetness of the grenadine because of its own citrus notes.
As always, stick within your limits while using cannabis with any cocktail. The general rule of thumb is that if you’re smoking, maintain a rate of one standard cocktail per hour. And if you feel like you’re getting cross-faded, give yourself a break.
Don’t forget to drink lots of water if you’re new to the scene!
Bacardi Cocktail Variations
When people think of these cocktails, they assume that any variation will involve increasing or decreasing the amounts of their ingredients. But a Bacardi-based cocktail can actually encompass any number of drinks.
Some examples include:
· Bacardi Daquiri – Rum, fresh lime juice, and sugar.
· Bacardi Rum Punch – Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine.
· Bacardi Mojito – Rum, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and soda water.
· Blue Devil Cocktail – Rum, blue curacao, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
· Cuba Libre – Rum, Coca-Cola, and lime juice.
In other words, a Bacardi variation could imply making any rum-based drink, but what about the variations related to the traditional cocktail?
Several variations of the original recipe exist, but perhaps the most famous is the Bacardi Special. With this cocktail, gin is brought into the mix.
In this case, you need only light rum, gin, lime juice, and grenadine. If you want to stick to the original recipe, this was first published in The Savoy Cocktail Book, written by legendary bartender Harry Craddock.
According to the recipe, a Bacardi special must contain Beefeater gin. But you can still recreate the same flavor if you’ve got another brand.
Bacardi Cocktail Recipe – How to Make the Perfect Bacardi Cocktail
Similar to a Painkiller cocktail, the Bacardi always follows specific instructions. Although there are some variations, like the Bacardi Special, the only way to make this cocktail is to make it as intended.
Here’s everything you need to know about making this tasty treat the way Bacardi intended:
· Prep Time – Three minutes
· Cook Time – 0 minutes
· Total Time – Three minutes
· Serves – One person
· Calories – 117 kcal
Ingredients
· Two ounces of Bacardi light rum
· ½ ounce of lime juice
· ½ ounce of grenadine
· Ice
· Lime slice
Instructions
1. Pour your rum, grenadine, and lime juice into your shaker.
2. Add ice to your shaker.
3. Shake until well-chilled.
4. Strain from your shaker into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Add garnish with a lime slice and serve.
Notes
· The ABV level of this cocktail is 23%.
· Sour mix is often used in bars instead of citrus, but fresh juice always tastes better.
· Increase/decrease your alcohol-to-citrus ratios to change the strength of this cocktail.
