The Intoxicologist

This bottle of Bacardi Dragon Berry rum deceptively lures one into thinking it will be just another wanna be flavored spirit set to settle in a glass buried beneath soda pop.  Reading through the drink list of recipes it begins to seem that way before the crackling sound of the seal breaks on the bottle.

Single mixers: Dragon Berry plus Ginger Ale, Sprite, Lemonade, Iced Tea, Club Soda, Tonic Water or Sparkling Water. 

Pick your poison.  They are all variations on the exact same theme depending on your thirst preference. 

 

The Bacardi Dragon Berry Double Mixer, Multi-Mixer and Shot Drink recipes however vary to the degree of easily mixable to muddling, unusual ingredients, and the “Wow” factor.  Dragon Berry Rum certainly turns on the flavor sensation.  All one need do is open the lid to know Bacardi figured this one out right on the money.  Dragon Berry smells precisely like sweet ripe strawberries. 

 

Pour this liquid in a shot glass for a good look and you will notice it is a little thicker than the usual Bacardi Superior Rum.  The strawberry is definitely glossy sugared, but still appealing in its fruity aroma.  The Dragon Berry is quite sweeter than I expected even with the overwhelmingly deep strawberry scent, but this is still not sugared like liqueurs.  Bacardi Dragon Berry is neither syrupy nor saccharine in its feel or texture.  It is summery in feel, delightful and fun.  There is slight bite on the back end when taken in neat that is most likely due to the rum or the combination of rum and the hint of dragon fruit infusion.  Although I have never had the pleasure of sampling a piece of fresh dragon fruit, I have sampled dragon fruit juice.  It is a little blander than I anticipated.  Possibly it helps balance out the strawberry in this new exotic Bacardi creation.

 

To my surprise with the extensive drink list supplied by Bacardi no simple Daiquiri could be found on the entire listing.  Strawberries, rum and the Daiquiri go hand in hand. 

 

Dragon Berry Daiquiri – created by The Intoxicologist

2 ounces Bacardi Dragon Berry Flavored Rum

1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 ounce Bar Syrup

Fresh strawberry for Garnish

 

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake for fifteen seconds.  Strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with whole strawberry.

 

The fresh lime softens the flavored rum giving this a strawberry vanilla feel.  Even with the addition of bar syrup, this is not too sweet.  There is creaminess in the texture with an almost adult bubblegum feel.  If bubblegum were silky, supple, without the sugared roughness and all that remained was the fresh feeling of fun, lightness and vanilla strawberry, this would be the Dragon Berry Daiquiri.  It is also the flavored fun cocktail that is not pink. 

 

Strawberries and kiwi are two fruits that complement each other in exciting ways.  Fresh strawberry adds a little tangy tart bite while kiwi plugs in the juicy sweet. 

 

Dragon Berry Kiwi Chaos – created by The Intoxicologist

3 Fresh Strawberries – halved

1 Kiwi – peeled and quartered

1/2 teaspoon Lime Curd

1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Bar Syrup

2 ounces Bacardi Dragon Berry Flavored Rum

Fresh Strawberry for Garnish

 

Muddle fresh fruit, lime curd, lime juice and bar syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.  Add in Bacardi Dragon Berry Flavored Rum with ice.  Shake for fifteen seconds.  Strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a fresh strawberry. 

 

While this is more labor intensive than the Dragon Berry Daiquiri and possibly too time consuming for most bars in a time crunch, the Dragon Berry Kiwi Chaos is definitely worth the effort for the fresh taste alone.  The kiwi cuts through any artificial sweetness one might detect while the fresh strawberry draws out the real fruit flavor.  There is still a hint of vanilla in this cocktail although obviously none added in the recipe.  Is it the rum, the dragon fruit infusion, the flavored strawberry or another flavor added to this particular rum blend? 

 

Inspiration strikes anywhere.  My cocktail muse for the next creation was my nail technician, Kandi.  She rarely drinks alcohol at all, but listens to all the new things I have tasted and was quite intrigued when I told her about the new Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum.  She immediately told me I should try it with rhubarb; as in strawberry rhubarb pie only in cocktail form.  It took me two days to run down rhubarb locally.  Evidently this vegetable is quite popular.  Although in the produce section it is a veggie, it is found in the fruit section in frozen foods for those of you on the hunt. 

 

Whipped Strawberry Shortcake – created by The Intoxicologist

Inspired by Kandi Gallup, Omaha, NE

1-1/2 ounce Bacardi Dragon Berry Flavored Rum

1 ounce Half & Half

1/2 ounce Rhubarb Strawberry Syrup*

Fresh Strawberry for Garnish

 

Build over ice in the order given.  Garnish with Strawberry.  Insert a stir stick as this settles in the glass.  Stir.  This cocktail could perhaps be shaken over ice and served straight up as well. 

 

*Rhubarb Strawberry Syrup

12 ounces Frozen Rhubarb

6 ounces Frozen Strawberries

3 cups Sugar

3 cups Water

 

Place rhubarb, sugar and water in a large saucepan over low heat.  Slowly cook for about an hour while continuing to stir occasionally.  The mixture should never actually bubble, but heat slowly to soften the rhubarb bringing out the sweetness.  As the mixture finally heats to a degree that it does begin to bubble, place the strawberries in the saucepan.  You will need to stir more frequently.  Allow the strawberries to cook in for about fifteen to twenty more minutes before removing from the heat.  Do not allow the mixture to cool completely before beginning to strain into a tempered glass container.  As it cools it will be more difficult to strain due to the thickness.  This does not render a lot of usable syrup as much of what is left over is pulp to throw away.  After you have strained, allow the mixture to cool and refrigerate.  The syrup will stay fresh in the refrigerator in a sealed container for approximately two weeks. 

 

I have never tasted rhubarb before, nor have I ever had the pleasure of rhubarb strawberry pie.  What I can tell you is this cocktail is an ideal replica for strawberry shortcake with a huge dollop of whipped cream  on top that makes me want to sip it up and have another please…pretty please, with a strawberry and whipped cream.   I would even bat my eyes if that would help, but hey, I am making this drink and no eyelash fluttering is necessary. 

 

Yes, the syrup takes some time.  The leftover part of the syrup that is unusable for bar syrup in drinks is perfectly usable for ice cream or the foodie version of strawberry shortcake.  Take the time to make this one if you love this particular dessert.  You can have your dessert and drink it, too. 

 

While creating in the kitchen the other day I whipped up kiwi syrup as well.  Muddling is a lot of work to add in kiwi flavor.  Making syrup is too, but once made it lasts longer than one cocktail. 

 

Dragon Berry Kiwi Club – created by The Intoxicologist

2 ounces Bacardi Dragon Berry Flavored Rum

1/2 ounce Kiwi Syrup*

Club Soda to top

Strawberry & Kiwi for Garnish

 

Build in a Collins glass over ice.  Garnish with skewered strawberries and kiwi. 

 

*Kiwi Syrup

1 cup Water

1 cup Sugar

3 Kiwi – peeled & quartered

 

Add ingredients to a saucepan.  Simmer over low heat until the kiwi softens significantly (approximately 20 to 25 minutes).  Allow syrup to cool.  Strain into a glass container.  Seal and refrigerate.  Syrup should stay fresh for approximately two weeks in the refrigerator. 

 

The Dragon Berry Kiwi Club is easy, breezy, refreshing.  It is a little sweet for my taste, but the degree of syrup may be adjusted according to your taste. 

 

·         Bacardi Introduces Dragon Berry Flavored Rum

·         Bacardi Raspberry Mojito: Effortless, Quick, Refreshing

·         Get the skinny on the Naked Protein Colada

·         Ask for Bacardi by name

·         Touring Casa Bacardi Visitor Center in Cataño, Puerto Rico

 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

MIAMI (April 2, 2009) – BACARDI® today announced the launch of BACARDI® Dragon Berry™, the latest addition to the BACARDI family of Flavored Rums.  Dragon Berry offers the light, fruity flavor of strawberry, infused with the crisp, fresh flavor of dragon fruit.

 

As the leader in the flavored rum category, BACARDI is the first brand to introduce dragon fruit to the spirits category.  This unique ingredient is an emerging superfruit with a bold, tropical taste that creates a truly exceptional flavor experience when combined with strawberry.  BACARDI Dragon Berry is the perfect complement to the innovative forward thinking of BACARDI and is the next evolution in the flavors portfolio.

 

“In today’s environment, flavored rums continue to drive innovation in the rum category,” said Gordon Chisholm, brand director, BACARDI Flavored Rums. “The addition of BACARDI Dragon Berry brings together the classic taste of strawberry and enhances it with the exciting and dynamic flavor of the exotic dragon fruit. The result is a fresh, one-of-a-kind taste that builds on BACARDI’s leadership position within the flavored rum category.”

 

BACARDI Dragon Berry packaging features a distinctive label design that emphasizes the unique look and taste of this tropical fruit. With a suggested retail price of $13.99 for a 750–ml bottle, the 35% alcohol-by-volume rum also comes in 200-ml., 375-ml., 1-liter and 1.75-liter sizes.  BACARDI Dragon Berry joins such other BACARDI celebrated flavored rums such as BACARDI® LIMÓN™, the best-selling flavored rum in the world, BACARDI® O™ ,BACARDI® COCONUT™, BACARDI® RAZZ™, BACARDI® BIG APPLE™, BACARDI®  GRAND MELON™, and BACARDI®  PEACH RED™.

 

BACARDI Dragon Berry has a versatile taste that can create any cocktail using such mixers as ginger ale, lemonade and lemon-lime beverages. In addition, BACARDI Dragon Berry can be enjoyed in a wide range of specialty cocktails that include: Dragon Bite, garnished with raspberries; Dragon Daiquiri Martini, paired with Pomegranate Syrup; and Dragon Berry Lemonade which combines fresh squeezed lemon juice, cranberry juice and simple syrup, just to name a few.   

 

This strawberry rum infused with dragon fruit is designed for mixability and will be available nationwide beginning in May 2009.  For more information, please visit www.BACARDI.com.

BACARDI® DRAGON BITE

2 parts BACARDI® Dragon Berry™

1/2 part Lychee Syrup                                                                                     

1/2 part Fresh Lime Juice

1 part Pineapple Juice

1 part Cranberry Juice

 

Combine all ingredients into a tin filled halfway with ice. Shake 4-6 times and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and 3 fresh raspberries speared.

BACARDI® DRAGON DAIQUIRI MARTINI

1 part BACARDI® Dragon Berry™

1/2 part Pomegranate Syrup

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

1 part Simple Syrup

 

Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a martini glass with a sugar rim. Garnish with a lime wedge.

BACARDI® DRAGON BERRY LEMONADE

2 parts BACARDI® Dragon Berry™

1-1/2 parts Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

1-1/2 parts Simple Syrup

1 part Cranberry Juice

1 part Top with Club Soda

 

Combine all ingredients (except club soda) into a tin filled halfway with ice. Shake 4-6 times and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.

 

About BACARDI Rums

In 1862 BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardi began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum – BACARDI, the world’s favorite premium rum brand. Today, BACARDI rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo – crafted in a five step distillation process, aged in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

 

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world’s number-one selling rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the fastest-growing premium gin in the spirits industry; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; MARTINI & ROSSI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

 

For additional information:

Cortney Silverman, Senior Account Executive

Corbin & Associates, LTD.

212/246-3586 / Cortney@corbinpr.com

 

Joe Gerbino, Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Relations

BACARDI U.S.A., INC.

305/573-8600 ext. 1421 / jgerbino@bacardi.com

 

THIRSTY FOR LIFE? DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

www.bacardi.com

 

© 2009 BACARDI AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI AND COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDI U.S.A., INC., MIAMI, FL. RUM SPECIALTIES-EACH 35% ALC.BY VOL.

This cocktail is an ideal replica for strawberry shortcake with a huge dollop of whipped cream  on top that makes me want to sip it up and have another please…pretty please, with a strawberry and whipped cream on top.  

 

Yes, the syrup takes some time.  The leftover part of the syrup that is unusable for bar syrup in drinks is perfect for ice cream or the foodie version of strawberry shortcake.  Take the time to make this one if you love strawberry shortcake for dessert.  This way you can have your dessert and drink it, too. 

Whipped Strawberry Shortcake – created by The Intoxicologist

Inspired by Kandi Gallup, Omaha, NE

1-1/2 ounce Bacardi Dragon Berry Flavored Rum

1 ounce Half & Half

1/2 ounce Rhubarb Strawberry Syrup*

Fresh Strawberry for Garnish

 

Build over ice in the order given.  Garnish with Strawberry.  Insert a stir stick as this settles in the glass.  Stir.  This cocktail could perhaps be shaken over ice and served straight up as well. 

 

*Rhubarb Strawberry Syrup

12 ounces Frozen Rhubarb

6 ounces Frozen Strawberries

3 cups Sugar

3 cups Water

 

Place rhubarb, sugar and water in a large saucepan over low heat.  Slowly cook for about an hour while continuing to stir occasionally.  The mixture should never actually bubble, but heat slowly to soften the rhubarb bringing out the sweetness.  As the mixture finally heats to a degree that it does begin to bubble, place the strawberries in the saucepan.  You will need to stir more frequently.  Allow the strawberries to cook in for about fifteen to twenty more minutes before removing from the heat.  Do not allow the mixture to cool completely before beginning to strain into a tempered glass container.  As it cools it will be more difficult to strain due to the thickness.  This does not render a lot of usable syrup as much of what is left over is pulp to throw away.  After you have strained, allow the mixture to cool and refrigerate.  The syrup will stay fresh in the refrigerator in a sealed container for approximately two weeks. 

 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved