Platinum Blonde Cocktail...Anyone Try?

[BaltRumFan]

This evening I made a new cocktail for myself out of Diffords called the Platinum Blonde. Ingredients are the following:

1.5 Shots Zacapa 23yr
1.5 Shots Grand Marnier
0.5 Shots Heavy Cream
0.5 Shots Milk

All shaken together with ice and strained into a chilled glass.


Overall I like the cocktail a lot. Thick, creamy and lots of flavor from the Zacapa and Grand Marnier.

My thoughts on what 'could' be changed is an imbalance with the Grand Marnier, for me the orange flavor is a bit on the heavy side so next time I am thinking to scale back the Grand Marnier.

Has anyone else tried it? Outside of the Zacapa, thoughts on an alternate rum to balance out the Grand Marnier, possibly something like an Appleton Reserve? I've found that rum able to come through well in heavier cocktails.

Thanks in advance.

[Joe Riley]

Sounds tasty to me.

Forgive me, but I have to mention that, despite what Diageo and their wholesalers would have you believe, Ron Zacapa is NOT 23 years old. The words "Sistema Solera 23" are not an age statement. No one's going to sell an actual 23 year-old rum in the United States for the price that Diageo asks for Zacapa; heck El Dorado 21-yr is $90 give-or-take, and Appleton 21-year is over $100/bottle here, so if Zacapa really was a 23 year-old rum, I guarantee you it wouldn't be priced around $50. Sorry to lecture, but that's just a pet peeve of mine.

Anyway, to try and answer your question, there are some amazingly good rums available in Maryland that you might enjoy. You're on the right track with Appleton Reserve, and the Appleton 12-year is really lovely as well. I also can't recommend Chairman's Reserve highly enough for mixing; it's just SO good. I also find El Dorado 5-year to be a must-have for rum drinks. Can't go wrong with Flor de Cana either, they have a nice range of rums to choose from at attractive prices.

Having said all of that, Cruzan Blackstrap would certainly stand up to Grand Marnier. If you want more "kick", you can try Smith & Cross "Navy Strength" rum (available in D.C., but not Maryland at this time).

Are you wedded to Grand Marnier? For an outstanding alternative (and less-expensive as well) try Royal Combier (http://www.combierusa.com/html/royal.htm). It is made with Delamain Cognac, which is not only outstanding Cognac, but very expensive) It is available in D.C. but not Maryland yet.

Another orange liqueur that you might consider (that IS available in Maryland) is Torres Gran Orange.

Hope that helps! glass.gif

[Edward Hamilton]

I asked for Zacapa and cream in the Intercontinental Hotel in Guaemala City a few years ago and before I knew it the bartender was telling everyone about this drink. I don't drink a lot of Grand Mariner so I'd just leave it out.

[BaltRumFan]

Update.....took me a while to get back to this one :)

The Appleton Reserve improved this cocktail by leaps and bounds.....came through MUCH better, very tasty results.

I took Ed's comment and tried it without the Grand Marnier, also a good variety. Suppose I need to admit since trying the Platinum Blonde with Appleton Reserve...I've probably had a dozen just rum and cream cocktails over the past few weeks :)

[Edward Hamilton]

Appleton Reserve is a much heavier rum so using that and using about half the orange liqueur would probably work well. For me life's too short to drink bad cocktails.

[rusty]

tried it just now with Old Mill Rum and 1/2 the GM, outstanding



......about to make another!

[frampi]

When i want to treat myself,.....1.5 eldorado 15 and 1. of gm once every two weeks or so, but sure will try it with creme