Tico Fresco W XYZ Lounge Aloft Hotel, Chapel Hill $9 The Tico Fresco is a beautiful cocktail made with Myer’s dark rum, fresh watermelon and lime juice, and jalapenos. It is a dark-rose pink, and the flavor of watermelon comes through strongly then is chased away by the tingly heat of jalapeno. The rum and
Read more

Mexicano Mojito  Bandidos Woodcroft, Durham $5.95 There are two things you can count on a Bandidos drink being: stiff and affordable. The Mexicano Mojito fulfills both of those qualifications, though it leaves something to be desired in the flavor department. That’s because the strong alcohol from three, count ‘em, three rums—Bacardi Light, Bacardi Dark, and Bacardi
Read more

The Floridita Cuban Revolution American Tobacco District, Durham This cocktail, an alluring deep brown, was made with Bacardi Select dark rum, sweet vermouth, lime juice, and crème de cacao. If you’re thinking that’s an odd mix of ingredients, you’re right! But it’s a combination that works pretty well. The rum absolutely dominates the drink, and
Read more

Winter Fruit Dreams 2.5 shots of Trader Joe’s Pear Cider 1.5 shots of Bacardi Select Puerto Rican Rum 0.5 shot of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur 0.25 shot of Joaquin’s Banana Liqueur Shake all the ingredients up with crushed ice then strain into a martini glass. On first sip, there’s too much banana, until I figure
Read more

La Leche Dos Perros, Downtown Durham Website $9 This drink is nothing but horchata and dark rum. I love both of those ingredients, but I have to say, for $9, it wasn’t tasty enough. It’s a classic milk punch, like the New Orlean’s Milk Punch at Papa Mojo’s with bourbon and nutmeg, but that one
Read more