Ruminating on remarkable cocktails
By Jim Begley
Pineapple chipotle margarita
Who doesn’t love a partying pirate? Captain Morgan is among the most infamous of swashbucklers and his eponymous spiced rum is a favorite of many; however, his Private Stock is only one of 40 different “rhums” available at The Mirage’s Rhumbar for your imbibing pleasure.
Like your rum straight? Then try a pour of the house favorite Ron Zacapa. This Guatemalan export is aged at high mountain elevations, which some claim intensifies the barrel-induced flavoring. Enjoy a spiced liquor instead? Montecristo Spiced is a perfect foil to its sweeter, seafaring counterpart.
More interested in a take on classic cocktails? Rhumbar has handcrafted variants of some classics for you to enjoy. The Old Cuban changes up the Million Dollar Mojito; in the Cuban, the club soda is replaced with a Moët float. The inclusion of this dry champagne, along with Angostura bitters, results in a less cloying version of the popular mint-laden libation.
Old Cuban
The Latin Manhattan—a twist on what else but the Manhattan—combines Cruzan Single Barrel with falernum liqueur, a Caribbean sweet syrup endowing the drink with a myriad of flavors including clove and allspice. Mixed with ginger beer, this drink will transport you to the West Indies directly from Rhumbar’s ample outdoor patio.
Lest you think Rhumbar is a one-trick pony only capable of serving rum, be sure to check out the house cocktails. The tequila-based Spicy Lover combines cucumber, cilantro, lime juice and a splash of Tabasco—the cucumber soothes while the Tabasco bites with each sip.
Similarly, the pineapple chipotle margarita offers a wild combination of both smoky and sweet, with a hint of heat from the addition of chipotle-flavored Tabasco. Either is addictive enough to suffice for even your most arrrr!-dent rhum—or rum—loving buccaneer.
The Mirage
Noon-1 a.m. Sun.-Wed., noon-2 a.m. Thurs.-Sat. 702.792.7615
