As temperatures climb, bringing Michiganders back to their favorite outdoor pastimes, Detroit City Distillery (DCD) announces the return of its limited-edition Summer Rum, along with its annual kickoff party, taking place at its outdoor patio encompassing an entire city block on Riopelle Street in Detroit’s Eastern Market. Guests will enjoy a host of special rum drinks, food from Midnight Temple and music all day from DJs spinning with sounds from Blair French, Eddie Logix and John Beltran. Additionally, guests will have a chance to receive a free give-away of a limited-release vinyl compilation titled “Treasure Your Friends” at the party.
As the name suggests, Summer Rum is only available for the summer and will be available from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend at the Distillery, local bars and liquor stores.
“We’re expecting an epic summer with the return of so many outdoor events, concerts and parties,” says Michael Forsyth, co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. “Everyone loves rum drinks on the beach, and that’s the spirit that we try to capture in the bottle and the party. Every year, the demand for this unique celebratory spirit continues to grow in lakeside bars and vacation homes because everyone wants a taste of Michigan summer. There’s nothing better than soaking in the sun and sipping on rum on the boat, the beach or the bar.
How it’s Made
Summer Rum is a blend of rums from Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana and the U.S. Virgin Islands and is distilled from sugar cane. The nose is full of Jamaican aromatics with ripe banana, pineapple and clove. The light rose gold body has a creamy mouthfeel full of Caribbean fruit notes like papaya, guava, mangos and coconut. The silky-smooth finish offers hints of lime, toffee and French Indie spice.
Detroit City Distillery developed Summer Rum in collaboration with local bartenders from Standby and The Skip, Grey Ghost and Second Best, Kiesling, Takoi and the Monarch Club, making it a spirit that is uniquely-Detroit in flavor and style. They are Joseph Dopke, Brent Foster, Alex Kirles, Will Lee, Rudy Leon, Kyle Marks, Drew Pompa, Joe Rob, KaTrell Thomas and Chas Williams.
Summer Rum Street Party – Detroit City Distillery Tasting Room
Date: Sunday, May 29, 12 to 8 PM
Location: 2462 Riopelle Street in Eastern Market – Detroit City Distillery Tasting Room – Indoors and outdoors. The outdoor patio area encompasses an entire city block.
Spinning DJ: Blair French, Eddie Logix, John Beltran
Special menu: Supplied by Midnight Temple, an Indian fusion gastropub, whose fare dovetails beautifully with the Distillery’s craft rum drinks. More info @detroitcitydistillery on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
How to Buy
Summer Rum bottles are $24.99 at select liquor stores. Customers can also purchase at DCD’s Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle Street in Detroit’s Eastern Market or order online at detroitcitydistillery.com for in-person pick up. Summer Rum will be available at liquor stores and the Tasting Room starting the week of May 22, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
Cocktail Recipes
Traditional Daiquiri
What it is: A classic rum cocktail invented in town named Daiquiri in Cuba in 1898. It was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway, John F. Kennedy and bartenders everywhere.
What you need: Summer Rum, limes, simple syrup, a shaker and ice
How to make it: In a shaker with ice, combine 2 ounces Summer Rum, ¾ ounces simple syrup, ¾ ounces freshly squeezed lime juice. Shake until well-chilled and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Classic Mojito
What it is: Cuban rum drink that traces its origins back to a 16th-century cocktail named the El Draque, named for Sir Francis Drake, the English sea captain and explorer who visited Havana in 1586.
What you need: Summer Rum, limes, simple syrup, mint, club soda, a shaker and ice
How to make it: Lightly muddle ½ ounces of simple syrup with six mint leaves in the bottom of a large rocks glass. Add two ounces of Summer Rum, ¾ ounces lime juice and ice, and stir. Top with the club soda. Garnish with large mint sprig.
Pina Colada
What it is: A classic rum cocktail that debuted in 1952 at the Caribe Hilton in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
What you need: Summer Rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut cream, pineapple wedge
How to make it: Add two ounces of Summer Rum, 1 ½ ounce of cream of coconut, 1 ½ ounce of pineapple juice and ½ ounces of lime juice to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled Hurricane glass over pebble ice and garnish with a pineapple wedge.