Here is a “rum” down of some of the tasty drinks that will be muddled, mixed, crushed and slushed during Labor Day weekend’s Summer of Rum Festival in downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park September 1 - 2.
Not all are rum-based or blended so if you crave a cold beer, hanker for a hard lemonade or just want whiskey, those beverage bases, and more, are covered as well.
Jamaican rum maker Appleton Estate will be stocking its rum shack with Stormy Valley, Epic, and Mai Tai cocktails. Stormy Valley gets its kick from spicy ginger beer, while the Epic is a more topical cocktail featuring coconut water.
American Freedom Distilled, which produces premium potables in St. Petersburg, will be selling rounds of Its Rekker rum. That brand will be showcased in a mojito while its spirited sibling will be a key ingredient in the Basil Bourbon Smash and Whiskey Mule.
Fans of Caribbean black spiced rum should be sure to visit the Kraken Rum Shack where they can wrap their hands around such dramatically named, and definitely delicious, drinks as The Perfect Storm, The Bermuda Triangle, and the Lost Island.
Lovers, not haters, should head for the Blackheart Rum Shack for some bitters and sweets. The Heartbreak Splash blends this premium spice rum with lemon-lime soda, lemon and orange juices and orange bitters. Love at First Lust combines peach liqueur and pineapple juice and Sea Cruiser mixes it up with cranberry juice.
The list of libations continues with the likes of Island Paloma, made with grapefruit juice, Island Girl, and Pineapple Slice cocktail, boasting the brand’s own pineapple rum cream, from Blue Chair Bay Rum.
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Shark Week has already come and gone but the theme lives on with Captain Morgan’s Electric Shark which boasts a distinctive Blue Curacao hue.
Cruzan Rum looks like the host with most. First, there is the Cruzan Bucket Bar where buckets of voodoo punch and rum-ritas await. Next up is the Cruz Fla-Mango Bar where pina coladas, strawberry daiquiris, and rum runners will be whipped up with the namesake rum. Finally, the Cruzan Mojito Lounge invites festival-goers to sip a classic mojito as well as blueberry, strawberry and watermelon versions of that summertime favorite.
Just when you might think the drink list could not get any better there is Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice, which produces small batches of fresh - and refreshing - nutritious juices. Natalie’s is stocking its Tiki Bar with the following: Blood Orange Mai Tais, Mango Hurricane, Hawaiian Lemonade, Freaky Tiki and Captain’s Painkiller.
Thirsty yet? If you need to know more about the music, market, fireworks and other festivities happening that weekend you can find details here. Grab your favorite rum punches, ‘rita, mojitos or mai tais and get ready to sip at the Summer of Rum in Downtown Tampa's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park this Labor Day weekend, September 1 and 2.
Want to find other fun events in Tampa? Simply register at 813area or 727area. It's easy and free!
Image courtesy of Unsplash
