Whether you enjoy a good cocktail once in a while or are living every day like its National Rum Day, there’s no denying the simple goodness of a quality rum cocktail. Happy National Rum Day!

Zaya Gran Reserva Rum (SRP: $36.99)
Zaya Gran Reserva rum is an ultra-premium rum produced in Trinidad, the southernmost island of the Caribbean. The rum is comprised of a secret blend of 12 rare rums, carefully selected and blended by the Zaya master blender to achieve a delicate balance and unique profile. Some of these rare rums are up to 18 years old. Each of the rums is aged for a minimum of 12 years in small oak casks. Zaya offers rich notes of caramel, vanilla, cocoa, and banana and gives way to a heavy, velvety smooth finish.

Cocktails:

Island Soul Old Fashioned
from Island Soul Restaurant (Seattle, WA)

• 2 oz Zaya Rum
• .5 oz Luxardo Maraschino
• Quarter slice of orange
• 1 brandy cherry
• 1 sugar cube doused in Angostura bitters
  Directions: Muddle the sugar cube, orange slice, and cherry. Add Zaya, Luxardo and ice then shake. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass and garnish with brandy cherries.

Waiting for Chinola
Courtesy of Russell Davis at Academia in Austin, TX

• 1.5 oz Santa Teresa Claro Rum
• .75 oz Liber & Co. Passionfruit Syrup
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 Barspoon Becherovka
• 1 oz Lazy Day Lager
• Dash Monin Pomegranate Syrup
• Pomegranate Seeds

Directions: Combine Rum, Passion Fruit Syrup, Lemon Juice, and Becherovka into a shaker with ice and lightly shake. Strain into a collins or pilsner glass and then add cubed ice. Next, top with Lazy Day Lager and a small scoop of crushed ice. Dash Pomegranate syrup over the top of the ice and top with Pomegranate Seeds.

Berry Delicious Daiquiri
by Natalie Migliarini, Beautiful Booze

• 
• 2 oz Zaya Rum
• 1 oz lime juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• ½ cup mixed fresh berries
  
  Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients. Fine strain into a coupe glass. Garnish & Enjoy

Zayan Tiki Time
by Natalie Migliarini, Beautiful Booze

• 2 oz Zaya Rum
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 2-3 dashes of orange bitters
• ½ oz grenadine
  
  Method: Combine Zaya Rum, lime juice, pineapple juice and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Float grenadine on top. Garnish & Enjoy!