Normally I would not be bitten by the ‘Summer Cocktail Bug’ until mid June when the weather warms and everything begins to ease into the lazy smolder of the summer season. It is only mid April I realize however summer seems upon us in Boulder. We’ve broken temperature records by hitting almost 90 degrees in the past week. Trees are in full leaf as we’d expect by the end of June and my cocktail fever has started to spike.
Making Homemade Pineapple-Infused Rum popped to mind and in less than an hour I was prowling the liquor store for Colorado distilled rums, not an area of my expertise. Whenever embarking on a new infusion I try to take the opportunity to familiarize myself with another one of Colorado’s 22 distillers. In this case Montanya gets stellar reviews as a higher end product. Perhaps a more boutique and more expensive option for infusing but the words of friend and President of the Colorado Distiller’s Guild, Rob Masters, ring in my head whenever reaching for a cheaper option; ‘Garbage in, garbage out’. That is not to say spirits that are not boutique or pricey are not good, more that the quality of the spirit one uses will reflect in the end infusion.
When perusing Montanya’s website I was not surprised to find their claim about ‘why Rum in Colorado?’ to mirror what I’ve heard from many local distillers: the water. A high percentage of a distilled spirit is water, therefore allowing our superior Rocky Mountain water quality to shine in our spirits. Additionally Montanya points out the world’s fine rums are distilled at altitude making their base of Crested Butte perfect for Montanya’s mission. There is far more going into Montanya’s successful formula that I won’t delve into here but suffice it to say using their Oro Dark Rum created a perfect summer kick off infusion.
PINEAPPLE-INFUSED RUM
Selecting a pineapple that is fully ripe allows imparting of more flavor. I have been told one way to ensure this is to pull on the outside top leaves and if they come off easily it is ripe. I personally use the pressure test; squeeze the pineapple and try to find one that has a bit of give (not rock hard but not soft either). On using dark vs light rum: I loved the idea of dark rum though use what you prefer and would use in cocktails.
Duration: 2 weeks
Ingredients:
· 1 medium pineapple (about 5-6 inches tall, excluding the top)
· 2 cups light or dark rum
1. Cut top and bottom off pineapple. Peel and core the pineapple. Cut pineapple in half vertically, and then cut one half into 4 spears. 3 of the spears will be used in the infusion.
2. Place 3 pineapple spears and rum in a sealable 1 quart glass jar. Allow to infuse for 2 weeks in a cool dark place.
3. After 2 weeks, taste the rum and if the pineapple flavor is to your liking, remove pineapple (do not discard; see below) and reseal, storing in a dark cool location.
Using the Rum infused pineapple: I would not be able to bear discarding the rummy pineapple spears and would find a delicious use for them. Chopped up in adult-strength muffins? Cocktail garnishes? Chopped over ice cream? Blended into homemade ice cream? Super strengthening your morning oatmeal? You get the point. Find something fabulous to do with them.
Ian says
Use for the rummy pineapple – grill it on a barbecue
Toni Dash says
Brilliant! Thanks for the idea.
Lisa J says
I was actually infusing light rum with pineapple when I decided goggle rum infusions and found this site. I use a whole fifth along with as much pineapple I can squeeze into a quart size ball canning jar and let it infuse for a month. I then decided I wanted a malibu rum type infusion for a added about a 1/2 teaspoon of coconut extract. Going to strain it now and see what I’ve got. Hopes it good.
Toni Dash says
That sounds great, Lisa! Let me know how it turns out. I tend to do smaller batches since I have a number of them going at once and can’t use it all up. Except for watermelon-infused tequila for summer margaritas; that I have a large infusion going all summer (recipe also on the blog).
seantimberlake says
I'm the founder/moderator for Punk Domestics (www.punkdomestics.com), a community site for those of use obsessed with, er, interested in DIY food. It's sort of like Tastespotting, but specific to the niche. I'd love for you to submit this to the site. Good stuff!
(P.S. I make a banana rum that's pretty damn good.)
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Sean! So nice to meet you and thank you for the invite. I will submit the recipe and I have other infusions too (being a DIY addict myself!). Will happily add more infusions as well.
RavieNomNoms says
Intense! So cool though! I am definitely going to have to try this.
Boulder Locavore says
I hope you will and please 'report back' with your thoughts when you do!
Kiri W. says
I do *not* like pineapple, but this sounds like a great method for all kinds of infusions. Very cool! 🙂
Boulder Locavore says
Absolutely! There really are no limits on infusing other than one's imagination!
notjustachick says
wow!! lovin' a breakfast w/ a kick idea. Offically on my shopping list : pineapple, spiced rum.
Thanks!
Boulder Locavore says
You are welcome!
Margaret says
Wow! Even though our Spring is farther away up here in the north of Canada, I am totally going to think positive and get this started right away, and Spring should be here when it's done – and if not, drinking this should bring it on. It sounds delicious.
Boulder Locavore says
Thanka Margaret and I agree with you; nothing like tropical flavors to bring on the sense summer has arrived!
Holly says
mmmmmmmmmmm This looks so fabulous. I'm going to have to get my hands on some rum.
Boulder Locavore says
I hope you will Holly! You won't be disappointed!
Alyssa says
Yum! I would totally just sip this straight, no need for a mixer!
Boulder Locavore says
I think if you use a good rum that is fabulous idea Alyssa!
Just for Cooking says
I love the booze section on the blog. Does that make me a lush? I will take a pina colada.
Boulder Locavore says
No, it does NOT make you a lush. It makes you my twin!
Natalie says
Strengthen my morning oatmeal, haha, I like the way you think!
Boulder Locavore says
A girl has to be creative with something this delicious!
Chef Dennis says
okay, I'm ready to belly up to the bar, one pina colada please!
I love the idea of pineapple rum, now really talking about a Colorado High!
Boulder Locavore says
I personally am not a Pina Colada lover BUT that is the first cocktail I thought of that I felt this would work nicely into. There are many tropical options I think!
Brian says
I’d do a Pineapple Mojito… or maybe just a traditional rum daiquiri (chilled shaken, and strained…)
BigFatBaker says
This sounds awesome! I love it 🙂 Can't wait to make some this summer when the weather is warmer 🙂
Boulder Locavore says
Thank Erin. I infused it about a month ago and figured I'd post it closer to Memorial Day but out spring is really like summer so the timing seemed right. Sadly I think that means summer with be beastly hot if it's in the high 80's now. More cocktails!
The Mom Chef says
Isn't there a beer that touts Colorado water as well? 😉 It makes total sense. I love the sound of pineapple-infused rum I'd go with light though).
Boulder Locavore says
Hmmm….think I know the beer you speak of! Frankly until I have gotten to know some distillers personally I did not think about the role of water quality and you are right, it does make sense. I think making this with light rum would be delish too.