Mix it up this Father’s Day with Appleton Estate

Sunday is all about giving dads the royal treatment. So let’s mix it up on Father’s Day by lifting their ‘spirits’. Senior Blender of Appleton Estate David Morrison told Food that the best way to celebrate the special occasion is by indulging in an amazing glass of Jamaican rum.

“Father’s Day is one of the few days dads all around the world get celebrated. The versatility of the Appleton Estate rums means you can create a unique experience for every dad, catering to the flavours and tastes that they love. What better way to celebrate all the wonderful fathers than by having a drink that truly represents who they are and the things they love,” Morrison shared.

The senior blender and father of one revealed that the typical flavour profile that dads go for in a drink is one depicted in a smooth rum. The beautiful vanilla, toasted oak, orange peel, baked spices, honeyed notes of the Estate’s eight- and 12-year-old rums hold centre stage and hit the perfect spot. “I’ve recently started dabbling in my pantry trying to find different combinations of flavour that are both incredibly tasty and easy to make. My go-to mixes right now are the Appleton Estate’s eight-year-old and coconut water or with coconut water ice cubes. Mojitos with basil are awesome. Appleton Estate eight-year old Rum Gimlet is also pretty amazing - mix 2.5oz AE 8YO, 0.5oz lime juice, 0.5oz simple syrup,” Morrison told Food.

The discussion diverted to food pairings, and he made special mention of the fact that if you want to take the Father’s Day dinner up a notch, it is important to recognise that flavours in a meal and a drink should both work together in harmony to create a positive, palatable experience. This, he says, can be achieved by finding commonality between flavours or even going for tastes that are on opposite sides of the spectrum, for example, sweet and sour. “One of my favourite things to have together is a good classic Appleton Estate rum punch with jerk chicken or pork. The sweetness that comes through from the punch and the flavours of the rum form a beautiful complement to the sauce and spiciness of the meat and actually helps to balance out the heat of the spice. Another favourite for me, on the sweeter side of life, is chocolate with the Appleton Estate 21-year-old. Whether it’s a chocolate brownie or cake, have that with the 21-year-old neat and sip and taste your way to paradise,” was his recommendation.

Back to a regular mixing programming, the top five cocktails Morrison recommends for dads to have on Father’s Day: rum old fashioned with the Appleton Estate 12-year-old rare casks, rum punch, Appleton Estate eight-year-old Reserve neat (or with coconut water ice cubes), Appleton Estate 12-year-old rare casks neat, and basil and mint mojito. He has supplied quick and easy recipes for these drink mixes for you to shake and create for dad. Enjoy responsibly.

Rum Old Fashioned with the Appleton Estate 12YO Rare Casks

Ingredients

2tsp brown sugar

1 orange wedge

2oz Appleton Estate 12YO Rare Casks

Ice

Directions: In an ol- fashion glass, muddle orange and sugar. Add AE 12YO Rare Casks then ice. Stir until the glass is frosty. Garnish with orange twist.

Rum Punch

Ingredients

1 ½oz Appleton Estate Signature Blend

3oz pineapple juice

1oz orange juice

¼oz lime juice

¾oz strawberry syrup

Ice

Directions: Add all ingredients to a shaker. Shake until the tin is cold and frosty. Serve in a highball glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge and cherry.

Appleton Estate 8YO Reserve neat (or with coconut water ice cubes)

Ingredients

2oz Appleton Estate 8YO Reserve

6 Coconut water ice cubes

Directions: Add Appleton Estate eight-year-old Reserve to rock glass. Add coconut water ice cubes. Stir until chilled.

Appleton Estate 12YO Rare Casks neat

Ingredients

2oz Appleton Estate 12YO Rare Casks

Direction: Add Appleton Estate 12-year-old Rare Casks to a deep rock glass or brandy snifter.

Basil and Mint Mojito

Ingredients

6 basil leaves

6 mint leaves

2tsp granulated sugar

1oz lime juice

1 ½oz Appleton Estate Signature Blend

Club soda to fill

Ice

Directions: In a mixing glass, muddle together basil, mint, sugar, and lime juice. Add Appleton Estate Signature Blend then add ice. Grab your shaker and shake until tin frosts. Strain into an ice-filled rock glass then top off with club soda. Garnish with fresh mint sprig. (The mojito can be made with the Appleton Estate 8YO or the Signature Blend).