The only way to come back to the blogosphere is through a swizzle! So, let’s keep this short and sweet. I went to London in December (to study, actually) and while there, I had a few things on my mind. One of them being: “how much booze can I actually bring back?” I’ve done this before…when passing through Duty Free at the airport but, this time, I ventured out into the city on a hunt. Of course, the highly coveted Havana Club was a no-brainer. I keep an on-going “booze wish list” if you will and I was looking forward to crossing off a few items that I knew I wouldn’t find in the States. Well, I managed two of those (we can talk about that later). I’m not sure why I felt nervous to bring home the good this time. I was scouring the internet, trying to be extra careful because you know they’re going through your bags, right? The internet told me I could being home 1 Liter which is not even 2 whole bottles. Seriously.

On New Years Eve, my cousin and I made our way to the American Bar at the beautiful Savoy Hotel. While walking, we passed the Whiskey Exchange. By far, the very best store for booze shopping ever! Well, at least so far for me. Another favorite store of mine is in New Orleans, Keife &Co. The next day we headed back to The Whiskey Exchange, and there is where I got the best info on booze traveling. I spoke with about three associates at the store. One guy (who I spoke with the longest) tried to google Heathrow Airport policies and we even discussed ABV. And, it was all for nothing because the next guy (I obviously don’t remember their names, sorry) said I could bring back a suitcase full of booze! That was enough for me! I did my shopping and made my way back to our room to configure the bags. I did at least bring my own bubble wrap. While my cousins bag was about 20 pounds overweight (LOL!!) I squeezed in 5 bottles. I’d done most of my booze (Rum) shopping by then but there was still one bottle on my mind. It was at the grocery store right around the corner from me, The Duppy Share. I had no idea if it was sold in the states, I didn’t know anything about it and it was a great price. But, alas, I didn’t bring it home. I thought maybe it would be a last minute decision at the airport in Duty Free but it wasn’t there so I was forced to buy three other rums.

When I got home I did some research on the Duppy Share and found that it’s a blend of Jamaican Rums from Worthy Park and Barbados Rums. The next logical step is a cocktail. I thought about the blend first and foremost. I went back and forth with the two Rums that I would use for my own blend in the swizzle. The other ingredients came easily. A well know Jamaican Rum comes from the Appleton Estate, I went with the Reserve Blend. For the Barbados Rum, there are a few options. Mount Gay Black Barrel would be marvelous here and is in fact one of my favorite Rums…ever. Plantation also produces a fine five year aged Barbados Rum. But, I wanted to bring something new to the Home Bar so I ventured out for Cockspur V.S.O.R. All of the elements came together in perfect harmony. Let’s get to the cocktail.

Worthy Park Swizzle:

• 1oz. Appleton Reserve Jamaican Rum
• 1oz. Cockspur V.S.O.R Barbados Rum
• 1oz. Lime Juice
• 3/4oz. Passion Fruit Syrup (Liber & Co.)
• 1/2oz. Licor 43 (or other vanilla liqueur)
• 1 Heavy Barspoon Campari
• 1 Dash Peychaud’s Bitters
• 1 Dash Orange Bitters (Regan’s used here)

Fill a Highball or Pilsner glass with crushed ice. Add all ingredients and swizzle until chilled. Top with more ice and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig or edible flowers if you have them. Feel free to use any blend of Rum you like. Cheers!