As part of premium rum collection, Bacardi Reserva Ocho, a rum that has been aged for eight years in the Caribbean Sea, was recently launched in India. Speaking to Indulge at the launch event held in Mumbai, Mitchell Kai Lum, Bacardi Brand Ambassador, South-East Asia, said that the rum is versatile and besides being consumed neat and on the rocks, it works well for cocktails, including tropical ones like Piña Colada and Mojito.
“It actually elevates the original drinks, which are also born out of Bacardi (laughs). In the hands of a mixologist, this can create drinks that some people might not have tasted ever,” he says and adds that ageing for eight years helps in maturing the flavour. “Over the years, the water content and a bit of alcohol evaporate. Like how you boil soup and it concentrates and becomes thick and flavoursome, the same thing happens naturally when this drink is left out in the Caribbean Sun.”
While India is a new market, Mitchell asserts that the bartenders in various parts of the world, where the drink has been launched already, have loved the Ocho. Besides, they have created a ritual around it to enhance the overall experience. “Not only is it a premium rum in a way that it is flavoursome and smooth, but we have kind of built rituals around it. It has become bartender’s favourite rum to make an elevated cocktail and go to shots! And, since Ocho stands for number 8 in Spanish, we drink the shot at the count of an eight. In this counting, you say one to seven in your preferred language and for the number eight, we say a big resounding Ocho.”
Here how you can make their signature cocktails using Bacardi Reserva Ocho:
1. Old Cuban
■ In a shaker add 45ml Bacardi Reserva Ocho, 25ml lime juice, 20ml sugar syrup, two dashes of Angostura Bitters and some mint leaves
■ Add ice in the shaker and shake well
■ Fine strain in a chilled coupe glass
■ Pour 50ml martini prosecco on top
■ Garnish with a mint leaf
2. Negrocho
■ In a mixing glass combine 30ml Bacardi Reserva Ocho, 30ml Martini Rosso, 30ml Campari
■ Add ice in the mixing glass, stir well
■ Fine strain over a block of ice in a chilled old fashioned glass
■ Garnish with orange zest express oils from the zest