Back in the summer (ah, summer…where did you go?), I had a long lunch with a friend at Heaven’s Dog. It was my first time there and I had picked our luncheon spot specifically because of the great things I had heard about their cocktails. What did we eat? I don’t recall, except that there was pork belly involved. But the cocktails? Yes, things of beauty. After the food was consumed, we moved to the beautiful cypress wood bar and sampled a couple more of their wonderful drinks. At one point I ordered something on their menu called “Freedom from Choice”. Basically, you tell the bartender if you want a citrus-driven or spirituous cocktail and give him an idea of what liquor you might like. I said, “Citrus and rum.” What I got was a Rhum Agricole Punch. I loved it, and was told that it was on the menu at The Slanted Door (the two places are owned by Charles Phan). I asked what was in it and was graciously given the ingredients. It wasn’t until recently that I had the proper rum to make it with. I decided to mix one up and see if it was as good as I remembered. When I looked at the note in my trusty iPhone I realized that I had gotten the ingredients, but not the proportions. I tried to recreate it as well as I could, and I was very happy with the results. I hope you will be too. It’s one worth trying…
Heaven’s Dog Rhum Agricole Punch
- 2.5 oz La Favorite Rhum Agricole Ambre
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- .5 oz cane syrup
- .25 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
- Dash of Angostura bitters
- Nutmeg
Shake first 5 ingredients with ice and strain into a glass over crushed ice. Grate nutmeg over the drink and serve. Note: The proportions are my own, but the ingredients were given to me by the bartender. It tasted like I remembered, so I think it’s pretty close.