holiday drink recipes

Luxist Gift Guide 09: Cruzan Single Barrel Estate Rum

Filed under: Spirits

On a recent trip to New York's Gramercy Tavern, we discovered the perfect winter cocktail, courtesy of senior mixologist Jeremy Lawry and Cruzan Rum, the Rum Hot Toddy. Ever since discovering Cruzan Single Barrel Estate Rum, we've been substituting it for our normal whisky after-dinner drinks. Not only is this one of the most awarded rums in existence, but it's also the world's first single barrel rum, meaning it is aged in new oak casks, for one more year than usual, and bottled one cask at a time.

A bottle of Cruzan Single Barrel Estate Rum makes the perfect gift this holiday season as a new luxury staple in anyone's liquor cabinet. What makes the St. Croix delicacy unique is that it is made with very low levels of fusel oil, the liquid which is responsible for the acetone scents of most rums. As a result, Cruzan is one of the cleanest rums available. As luxury rums continues to gain popularity in the American marketplace Cruzan remains a reliable name that started the trend.

The full-bodied rum has notes of coconut and vanilla, and when enjoyed solo, it's a perfect substitute for that slice of pecan pie. But we prefer it best this winter in replacement of the traditional hot toddy, a warm balance of rum and cinnamon, recipe after the jump, courtesy of Gramercy Tavern. To stay warm, serve it in a wide tumbler you can palm and curl up next to the fireplace.

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