It's Noon Somewhere!

Today is the start of a regular feature on this blog called It's Twelve O'Clock  (2016 edit, the title is officially changing to It's Noon Somewhere, although this is a deviation from my Mom's original quote, It's Twelve O'Clock Somewhere is just too damn unwieldy)  Somewhere.  This name came about when my mom offered a glass of wine to my wedding makeup artist at my hair trial.  It was 11:00 a.m. so my mom told her, it's 12 o'clock somewhere.  It is now one of my favorite sayings!

I almost called this column Cocktail Time which absolutely was a reference to Sandra Lee.  Yes, I will be having a regular feature on cocktails much like Ms. Lee.  No, I will not be having a regular feature of tablescapes.  If you have no idea who Sandra Lee is, please take a moment to watch this video and experience the wonderful craziness that is Sandra Lee.

 I should mention that I am not usually the mixologist in our house, that would be my husband K. But I am very good at drinking cocktails and do occasionally mix them when he is feeling lazy. I am a big proponent of making cocktails at home because not only is it a lot of fun and makes you feel all fancy but it is great for the budget! This is one of the easiest and most unique cocktails that my husband and I make at home  A Rum Sour.

This drink came about a few years ago when my family was on our yearly trip to Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands. My dad asked what I wanted to drink and I saw he had a drink in his hand with a cherry in it so I asked him what he had.  He said a rum sour and that he used to make them for my mom in the 70s.

I tried one a and a love affair was born.  Since then, this is one of my cocktails of choice and it was even one of the specialty cocktails at my wedding.  I have never seen a rum sour anywhere else and when I ordered one in a bar once, I got white rum and sour mix (yucko).  It is sweet and citrus and kind of tart all at once.  It is strong but doesn't taste too alcoholic.  It is a perfectly balanced cocktail.

So without further adieu: Rum Sour

This is actually a very easy cocktail to make because it is equal parts of only three ingredients:

1. Dark Rum, I usually use bacardi but any kind you prefer is ok.
2. Triple Sec (or Cointreau if you are fancy pants)
3. Sweet and Sour Mix 

2019 EDIT: I don't drink rum sours anymore because they are too sweet.  But on occasion I enjoy a Whiskey Sour or even an Amaretto one.  But I don't ever use Sweet and Sour Mix, the juice of a lemon and some simple syrup will do just fine.  And if I were to make a Rum Sour again, I would use lemon (and maybe a touch of simple?  The orange liquer may make it sweet enough).

You will also need maraschino cherries for garnish and if you have some, an orange wedge.

The only equipment you need is 

1. Shot Glass 
2. Cocktail Shaker

All you do is measure one shot of each liquid.  Pour them into a shaker with lots of ice. (yes, I do use large shot glasses.  No judgment!).

Amazing artistic shot of rum.

Then the fun part, shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. The more vigorously you shake a cocktail, the foamier it will be.

Action Shot!

Finally, just pour it into a double old fashioned glass.  This drink is served on the rocks as are all sours.  Add your garnish, I used just a maraschino cherry but if you have an orange, throw a wedge in there!

I may or my not have one in my hand right now!

Skol!

Julie