These Rum-Based Libations Are The Most Sustainable Cocktails You Should Be Sipping This Summer

As we become more eco-conscious in every aspect of our lives, we are learning to appreciate and protect the planet we all share. In the world of cocktails, it means reducing food waste, buying local ingredients, and utilizing brands that prioritize sustainability. We have rounded up some delicious rum-based mixtures with a sustainable twist involving the world’s oldest rum distillery, Mount Gay.

Founded in 1703 at the northernmost tip of Barbados, Mount Gay is crafted using pure, coral-filtered water and the finest Barbadian and Caribbean molasses. Mount Gay rums highlight a unique, rich, and flavorful character making it the perfect sustainable sip.

Sustainable cocktails are more in harmony in nature, using the full potential of an ingredient. In honor of World Ocean Month, Mount Gay has partnered with 4ocean to support in their mission to help end the ocean plastic crisis. “Our premium rums are heavily influenced by our roots in Barbados, from the coral filtered water to the ocean air imparted in our tropical ageing process”, noted Ian McLernon, President and CEO Americas at Rémy Cointreau. “Protecting the ocean, one of the essential elements that unites Mount Gay and our community, is an important part of our partnership with 4ocean.” As part of the partnership, for the month of June, Mount Gay Rum will commit $5 for every bottle and $1 for every cocktail sold to 4ocean’s Pound+ Program.

Sea Bird

Ingredients :

2 oz Mount Gay Black Barrel
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.75 oz Pineapple Syrup or Pineapple Juice
0.75 oz Bitter Aperitivo

Pineapple Syrup:

1 cup of pineapple (including skin1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
Wash and chop pineapple. Bring water and sugar to a boil stirring frequently. Turn to low and add pineapple. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cool mash the pineapple into the syrup.

Method:

Add all ingredients to your tin, add ice and shake. Strain over ice. Garnish with pineapple.

Banana Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

2 oz Mount Gay Black Barrel
0.5 oz Banana Syrup*
Orange peel (bitter component to be used in stir)

Banana Syrup:

1 banana peel chopped
0.25 cup of water
0.25 cup of sugar
Add all ingredients to a blender, blend, strain, and serve.

Method:

Add all ingredients including expressed peel to glass. Add ice and stir. Option to garnish with fresh orange peel. Serve.

Silver Sands

Ingredients:

2 oz Mount Gay Eclipse
0.25 oz Cointreau
1 oz Pineapple Cinnamon Syrup*
1.5 oz Brut Champagne

Pineapple Cinnamon Syrup:

1.5 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 cinnamon sticks – cracked
1 one-inch slices ginger
1 lemon peel
1 pineapple – core removed, cut into chunks
Add all ingredients but pineapple to pot and bring to a boil. Add pineapple and simmer until pineapple is just translucent. Press pineapple to release juices. Strain out solids and let cool.

Method:

Add all ingredients but champagne into cocktail shaker and shake until chilled. Strain into rocks glass over ice. Top with champagne and stir to incorporate.