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Epicurious

The Redenbacher Old-Fashioned

By Tamika Hall and Colin Asare-Appiah

5.0

(1)

Rum cocktail garnished with popcorn.
 Photo by Madelynne Boykin

Credit for this popcorn-infused spin on the rum Old-Fashioned goes to bartender Glendon Hartley. The fat-washed rum—made by soaking buttery popcorn in rum and then freezing the combination so it’s easy to remove fats and solids by straining—is shelf-stable and should be a golden orange color with a caramel-butter aroma and flavor.

Note: For the 2:1 Demerara Sugar Syrup, measuring the ingredients by weight rather than by volume is more accurate. Heat 100 grams water over medium-high heat just until a light steam is visible, then stir in 200 grams demerara sugar until dissolved. Let cool and store in an airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

For the popcorn-infused rum

1 bag microwave butter popcorn
750-ml bottle Bacardi Ocho Rum

For the cocktail

2 oz. popcorn-infused rum
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash Regan’s orange bitters
½ oz. Demerara Sugar Syrup (2:1, see note at top)
Garnish: Orange zest or twist and freshly popped popcorn

Preparation

  1. Make the popcorn-infused rum

    Step 1

    Pop one bag of microwave butter popcorn and place contents into a large Ziploc bag.

    Step 2

    Pour in one 750mL bottle of Bacardi Ocho Rum to infuse overnight at room temperature. Seal competely.

    Step 3

    After one night, place the bag in the freezer until all fats and solids are frozen. (This willl take approximately 4 to 6 hours.)

    Step 4

    After all fats and solids are frozen, cut a small hole in the bottom of the bag and strain through a coffee filter. Using multiple coffee filters will yield best results.

  2. Make the cocktail

    Step 5

    Place large ice cube into a tumbler or old-fashioned glass.

    Step 6

    Add popcorn-infused rum, Angostura bitters, orange bitters, and demerara sugar syrup to a mixing glass, fill with ice and stir until diluted and well chilled. Strain into prepared glass and garnish with fresh popcorn and orange zest.

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Reprinted with permission from Black Mixcellence by Tamika Hall with Colin Asare-Appiah. Copyright © 2022 by Tamika Hall. Published by Kingston Imperial. Buy the full book from Kingston Imperial or Amazon.
TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesRum

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