Our concerto of flavors this week features a variety of rum notes and offers Kraken as the main event. Kraken is a smooth, yet strong black spiced rum with flavor that both stands tall and blends super well. If I were a bettin' gal I'd bet Kraken makes more appearances this summer than any other item in our cabinet. We also attempted a rum infusion this week. Having never infused anything other than vodka, it was a true experiment in terms of ingredients and timing. I would call in a success in the sense that it worked well for the cocktail, and would add that it deserves further experimenting all around.
Ingredients for Infusion:
8 ounces silver/light rum (used Bacardi white)
40 organic sweet cherries, pitted
1 D'Anjou pear, sliced and quartered
1 Navel orange, sliced, rind left intact (this allows easy squeezing later on)
The strategy for this infusion was along the lines of a Sangria feel. Instead of a bottle, we used a Tupperware-type bowl for the fruit to be able to soak and dance along the surface of the rum for 3 days. As these are all subtle-flavored fruits, 5 days might have emboldened the flavor, but the evolving consistency of the pear was an unknown contributor this time around. On another note, the Pisco adds a lovely salty undertone that lent itself well in creating the snack plate.
Ingredients for Kracken Up:
2 shots Rum Sangria infusion (see above)
1 shot Kraken black spiced rum
1/2 shot Pisco
2-3 shots sparkling soda water depending on preference
Shake with ice, pour over ice and garnish with an orange slice and 1-2 cherries. Enjoy!
Ingredients for Kracken Snack Plate:
4 ounces plan Chevre goat cheese
4 cap-fulls (approx 2/3 ounce) Kraken black spiced rum
1 ounce dried cranberries
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Mix ingredients in a bowl and serve with your favorite crackers. We used Wheat Thins. Pistachios were a crackin' good addition to this pairing, both in keeping with the theme as well as providing salty deliciousness.
Kraken Song Pairing:
"The Rum Diary" (from the soundtrack), favorite version is the live performances and mix by Christopher Young and The Neon Popsicles. The instrument blend is so fun you'll find yourself socializing and sashaying all over your patio wondering if the orchestra takes requests.
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