The Breadfruit & Rum Bar
Six months ago, I began my love affair with rum. I found out I would be working on the rums portfolio at Diageo. Initially, I thought I'd prefer to work on tequila or whisk(e)y - categories I felt were more exciting. I am happy to say I was completely wrong! The rum category still has a perception problem - it is so much more than fruity tropical drinks and rum & coke (these drinks have a time and place, but there is an entire WORLD out there). Experiencing traditional "brown spirits" cocktails with aged rum is divine - the Old Fashioned or Manhattan - as well as replacing gin in a Negroni, as one example :)
I'm home for the holidays and wanted to check out The Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Phoenix, Arizona. There aren't many bars dedicated to rum. Dedicated means there are no other spirits aside from rum! Yes, they have Red Stripe and Guinness beer (yay Diageo!) and select Arizona wines but THAT IS IT! They have a Rum Manifest that separates their 108+ rums into multiple categories: Premium Aged (think Zacapa 23 or Bacardi 8), Silver (10 Cane), Amber (Pyrat XO), Black (Goslings), Overproof (Goslings 151), and Cachaca (Ypioca). They also have cigar & rum pairings - loved to see Zacapa 23 paired with Arturo Fuente 858 (as a cool feature, you can even bring your own cigar to enjoy!). Finally, there are rum tasting flights. Naturally, I had to get the one with Zacapa XO...the most expensive flight :) The Grand Reserves taping is with English Harbour 10 Year Old, Appleton Estate 21 Years Old and Zacapa XO Solera Grand Reserve :)
As my cocktail, I got the Hot Buttered Rum, made with Gosling's Black Seal, house coconut liqueur, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and rum whip - THREE TYPES OF RUM! Dark rum, coconut rum and rum whipped cream? I mean...COME ON. Dessert cocktails are always a favorite of mine. So delicious!
The bartenders are the true stars of this rum bar. When I visited, Bryan and Danielle were behind the bar. They were patient and answered my (many!!) questions about the back bar, ingredients and whatever else I wanted to know about. We sat at the bar when we visited - this is always my preference. I love engaging in conversation with such masters of their craft!
Excited to go inside!
Always a professional
The menu!
Hot Buttered Rum!
Better get on the ladder to get the Zacapa XO!
So much fun! Find the Zacapa 23 :)
Nothing but the best!
The Grand Reserves Tasting
Rum Tasting Tree
Authentic Decor
Zacapa & Cigar Pairing
Humidor
I look forward to coming back here on my next visit home and sticking around for dinner! The Jamaican-influenced menu looks delicious! Whether you're a rum lover, rum novice or just a lover of bars, you must check out the Rum Bar at the Breadfruit!
Cheers!
Liz