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Cocktail History
The Mocha Spiced Rum Russian is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created for a Christmas sampling event at a local grocery store. The recipe is a variation of the classic White Russian that calls for Tattersall Distilling Blackstrap Rum, a funky aged spirit with a strong flavor profile. The rum is then mellowed out with a homemade pumpkin spice syrup, coffee liqueur, cocoa, and cream, and it has a rich caramel and pumpkin pie spice rim.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Blackstrap Rum: This is a heavy rum made with the blackstrap molasses from sugar cane, spices, and alcohol. We used Tattersall Distilling Barreled Blackstrap Rum because it has a rich and smoky vanilla flavor with hints of tobacco and cream. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Cane Spirit in place of the blackstrap rum.
White Rum: This is a type of rum made with molasses or sugar cane juice and alcohol that is filtered and bottled right away without the aging process. We used J. Wray & Nephew Overproof White Rum because it has unique vanilla, banana, coconut, and molasses flavors. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic White Cane Spirit in place of the overproof rum.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup: This is a sweetener made with pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, brown sugar, white sugar, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Coffee Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with coffee, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Galliano Ristretto Espresso Liqueur because it has a strong coffee flavor with notes of dark chocolate. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Coffee Original Non-Alcoholic Spirit in place of the coffee liqueur.
Heavy Cream: This is a thick, high-fat milk product. We used use half & half instead of heavy cream because it’s lower in calories. For a dairy-free version of this drink, try Silk Dairy-Free Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative in place of the cream.
Caramel Sauce: This is a sweetener made with sugar, salt, vanilla, butter, and cream. We used Torani Puremade Caramel Sauce because it’s flavorful but has a thinner texture.
Coffee & Cocoa Bitters: This is a food product made with coffee beans, cocoa, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Crude Bitters & Sodas “Big Bear” Coffee & Cocoa Bitters.
Coffee Beans: This is the a seed of the Coffea plant.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Tweezers: This is used to place the garnish on the drink. We used one from the Stainless Steel Food Tweezers Set.
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Tasting Notes
The Mocha Spiced Rum Russian features coffee and rum aromas, has an incredibly creamy mouthfeel which includes a blend of the Galliano Ristretto Liqueur’s unique coffee flavors balanced with a bit of pumpkin and caramel sweetness, and goes with a strong finish on a loud, funky rum note.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: While the version of the Mocha Spiced Rum Russian we served at our table used Kahlúa instead of Galliano Ristretto and a full ounce and a half of the blackstrap rum, we opted for the more unique coffee liqueur and dialed back the rum a touch to make up for using less sugar when making this one at home. We both found this beverage to be a top-notch Russian variation perfect for seasonal sipping.
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If you’re looking for the most perfectly balanced fall or Christmas coffee cocktail, this is it! I don’t usually enjoy the taste of coffee anything because I find it too bitter, but it’s so muted in this drink that I thought it was incredibly sippable. Using rum instead of vodka in the Russian was also a nice change; you can definitely tell it’s there thanks to the blackstrap rum’s funkiness. Definitely whip this version up!”
Recipe
Mocha Spiced Rum Russian
The Mocha Spiced Rum Russian is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created for a Christmas sampling event at a local grocery store. The recipe is a variation of the classic White Russian that calls for Tattersall Distilling Blackstrap Rum, a funky aged spirit with a strong flavor profile. The rum is then mellowed out with a homemade pumpkin spice syrup, coffee liqueur, cocoa, and cream, and it has a rich caramel and pumpkin pie spice rim.
Ingredients
Method
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Add blackstrap rum, dark rum, pumpkin spice syrup, coffee liqueur, heavy cream, caramel sauce, coffee & cocoa bitters, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a cocktail glass.
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Garnish with coffee beans.
