Ready to Rhum-ble

Photo Credit: Luke Beard Photography

The French are superior when it comes to many beverages, from red wine to Champagne—and one type of alcohol that is commonly overlooked by the general public, rhum. No that ‘h’ is not a typo, rhum, specifically rhum agricole, is a spirit native to the West Indies whose production follows a strict set of French rules. Rhum is distilled from freshly-pressed sugarcane juice and can only be made when the sugarcane plant is at its ripest. Its more common counterpart, rum, is made from molasses, which is an industrial byproduct of sugar production. Savvy bartenders in San Francisco have been using rhum instead of rum in cocktails for years. The best place to experience the elixir was at Flip-Flop, the debut tasting experience at Over Proof, a bar within a bar at ABV.

Photo Credit: Luke Beard Photography

Over Proof offers spirit enthusiasts the chance to fully immerse themselves in one type of alcohol. At Flip-Flop, the inaugural iteration, bar-goers got to sip five different rum or rhum cocktails and each was paired with a substantial snack. The Pink Flamingo is a playful concoction with J.M. Rhum, lime juice, and a housemade Tiki-inspired aperitif. The rosy hue is from the addition of Campari. The Pink Flamingo was accompanied by a sensational shrimp ceviche served in an edible lime and compressed cucumber chip. It’s innovative and delicious. Although Flip-Flop ceased to exist on May 3 when Over Proof debuted its second whiskey-themed menu, called Double Back, we got the recipe for the Pink Flamingo, so we can enjoy our favorite rhum cocktail from the comforts of our own kitchen, whenever we want. Cheers to that!

Photo Credit: Luke Beard Photography

The Pink Flamingo
Created by Eric Ochoa

1 oz. J.M. Rhum Agricole
1 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 oz. Small Hand Foods Pineapple Gum Syrup
1 oz. Tiki-Tivo (recipe below)
1 Dash of Leopold Brothers Absinthe

In a cocktail shaker, combine all of the ingredients with ice. Shake vigorously—for about seven seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Enjoy immediately.

Tiki-Tivo Mix

1 oz. Campari
1 oz. Cappelletti Aperitivo
1/2 oz. Leopold Brothers Aperitivo

Combine all the ingredients in a small glass jar. Store in a cool dark place.