Root Beer and Rum

Root Beer isn't easy to come by in this neck of the woods, it was never readily available until the expansion of American grocery websites and even still. It comes at a price and usually with hefty delivery charge attached. So when I managed to get some Dads old fashioned on offer I bought four cases and have been rationing it for a few months. 

Amazingly, it never occurred to me too mix root beer with booze until after a long day watching sports in the bar I decided to experiment with something different. I should have tried this sooner as some of the best discoveries happen after 10 pints of Irish Cider and today was no exception... 

A Google search throws up a lot of root beer and liquor recipes, some appealed, many had too many ingredients for my level of drunkeness (please drink responsibly) so dark rum mixed with root beer not only appealed but matched my level of skill

Sailor Jerry is a dark spiced rum with a smooth taste and a great, sniff the top of the bottle scent. A few years back there was uproar when the original (superior) recipe for this drink was changed and as a result those bottles are quite sought after. 

My mixology skills are, like my reviews, amateur and self taught. So in the spirit of making it up as you drink I start out with a clean Mason Jar, granted it's not really part of the recipe, but It set the Southern States  vibe I was aiming for as I listened to the new Zac Brown Band record

Next roughly fill a third of the jar with Root Beer, then pour your dark rum in, as much as you like, I went for around a measure the first time, then increased it with subsequent servings, that probably explained the banging headache. Finally top off with root beer and stir until you whip up a froth. Sit back and enjoy

The vanilla and Dr Peppery taste of Sailor Jerry mixes well with the acquired taste of root beer, which is closest in taste to sasperella.. Add a lime wedge to be smoothly upmarket 

Ice is of course optional, but I chill the root beer sufficiently that I don't need to add any, plus I don't like to water down the booze, which is what my mind always tell me I am doing... Who says drinking kills brain cells 

I think I'll try Jack and Root beer next... Sorry coke but your time is up