Apricot Rum Fizz

Apricot liqueur is extremely versatile and can be used in lighter drinks (it pairs well with gin for example), or heavier drinks since it pairs well with bourbon and rum.  The apricot rum fizz is sort of in the middle; it has aged rum, which is nice this time of year, but it also is topped off with ginger beer, which makes it lighter and easier to drink.  The apricot rum fizz is great year-round!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces aged rum (do not use spiced rum)

1 ounce apricot liqueur

1/2 ounce lime juice

Ginger beer

Add rum, apricot liqueur, lime juice, and ice to a shaker.  Shake well.  Strain into a highball.  Top with ginger beer.

The Bitter Truth's apricot liqueur is my favorite among the many apricot liqueurs/brandies out there.  It's less sweet than the alternatives but does not skimp on flavor.  It combines apricot juice with apricot eau de vie.  So you will taste a lot of nice ripe apricot flavor.  But since it is less sweet, you won't risk throwing your drink out of balance.  It's always easy to add a bit of simple syrup, honey or agave to a drink, but it's next to impossible to make a drink less sweet.  If you use a different apricot liqueur then you may need to tweak the recipe a bit to your tastes.  I noted above not to use spiced rum.  Spiced rum has a very strong flavor that will overpower this drink.  You will want to use aged rum here.  It is not the same as dark rum (see my Dark 'n' Stormy post).  Aged rum has a nice amber color somewhere between light rum and dark rum.  It also has a flavor profile that is not as delicate as light rum, but not as heavy as dark rum.  If you use dark rum in this recipe then the apricot flavors will be lost.  There are many makers of good aged rum so try a few and find one you like.  Most have delicious vanilla, toffee, and caramel notes that work well with apricot.   Enjoy!