Jelani Johnson's Rum Old-Fashioned

Inspired By:

Clover Club (New York City)

Complexity

Alcohol Level

3/5

Strong

Type

Spirit-Forward

Preparation

Stirred

Glass

Old Fashioned

Ice

Large Cube

INGREDIENTS

Choeng Doi Blanc • 60 ml / 2 oz

Cane syrup • 15 ml / 0.5 oz

Angostura bitters • 2 dashes

Orange twist • 1

Garnish:

Lime coin • 1 small

STEPS

1. Express orange twist into a mixing glass, then drop it in

2. Add Choeng Doi Blanc, cane syrup and bitters with ice

3. Stir until properly chilled (30+ seconds)

4. Strain into an old fashioned glass over a large ice cube

5. Express lime coin from about 1 foot away, then drop into glass

NOTES:

St. John Frizell noted this drink 'doesn't taste like a rye Old-Fashioned, it tastes like a rum Old-Fashioned.' The rum brings tropical and vegetal notes rather than grain whiskey's caramel. Cane syrup (rather than simple syrup) connects the drink to rum's agricultural origins. The lime coin instead of cherry adds Caribbean character.

Batched Version: Pre-mix Choeng Doi Blanc, cane syrup and bitters in a pitcher. Stir with ice to order and strain over fresh ice.

HISTORY

The Old-Fashioned emerged in late 19th-century Louisville as a reaction against bartenders over-complicating cocktails. It's historically a whiskey drink, symbolizing American spirit culture. However, Caribbean bartenders recognized that rum - especially agricultural rum - works beautifully in this template.

This riff from Cure (New Orleans) transforms a foundational American cocktail into something thoroughly Caribbean, showing how Choeng Doi Blanc's agricultural character fits into spirit-forward templates traditionally dominated by whiskey.