We’re verging onto a very important 4-day weekend here in the land of the big red bridge. The July 4th 4-day weekend, to put a finer point on it. This weekend isn’t held dear to me by any smidge of patriotism, or because I’m a pyrotechnics nut, no.. It’s sacred because it’s my girl’s birthday weekend!

Yes, she, just like Tom Cruise’s parapliegic war hero, was born on the 4th of July. ..and there was much rejoicing.

To commemorate the distinct summeriness of the weather, 4 impending days of glittering freedom and the birth of one of my very favorite bipeds, I thought I’d christen the bottle of Flor De Cana (s’cuse the accent) rum we picked up for a song at Duty Free on the way home from vacation in Costa Rica. Below is an unfussy and very thirst-quenching little number:

Guava Rum Cooler with Palm Sugar

Wrest the zest from one lime (Pic #1). Sliver up the lime, slice a slot halfway through each sliver and set aside.

Chop the zest to a state of semi-coarseness, and shave a nice little pile of palm sugar over it. Mix it gingerly then arrange it in a circle on a folded paper towel. (Pic#2)

Mix 4 ounces guava juice or other suitably tropical juiciness, two shots of your favorite rum (I prefer mid-dark for this sort of thing), the juice of another lime and a splash of orange liquer.

Wet the rims of two glasses with a discarded lime half and daub them onto the paper towel, moving them in little circles to thoroughly coat. This rim grit doesn’t stick so readily so you’ll need to be persistent. Give it everything you’ve got. Onward, tippling soldiers!

Crush a good couple of handfuls of ice along with the remaining rim coating in your mortar and pestle or other destructive device and scoop into the glasses. (Pic #3)

Pour in the guava cooler, swirl a bit with a spoon and smile. It’s sunny outside. (maybe) Perch two of the zested lime wedges on each glass and either two-fist both (hell, you made them) or find somebody else to wow with your mixology.

The 2nd option is probably more fun.

Bon soir. Here’s wishing you a sharp Microplane and a sharper wit,
-GC

Filed under: Cocktail Hour

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