mixed and mashed up
Unlike other white spirits like vodka and industrial white rums, Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc hasn’t had the character distilled out of it! On the contrary, it has a bright, clean character that defines it and makes its presence in cocktails noticed. Due to its earthy nose and cane-redolent palette, Batiste mixes exceptionally well with many ingredients.
Whether substituting it for another white spirit, or using it in classic rhum cocktails, its flexibility shows - making it fun for bartenders to work with and home mixologists to play with. Batiste can even be placed at the dinner table - its flavor actually compliments even accentuates many cuisines rather than distracting from them.
Here are a few of our favorite cocktails.
BATISTE MOJITO MARTINI
A drink that has become increasingly popular and hardly needs introduction, the Mojito is one of our favorite ways to enjoy Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc. We prefer ours a bit more refined. This version, created by Jerome at Le Sereno, St Barths is the best we’ve tried.
3 ounces of Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
½ ounce lime squeezed
1 tbs. cane sugar
Small handful of torn mint leaves (about 12-15)
Sparkling water or soda water
1 part sugar syrup
Tear the mint leaves by hand from their stems and add them to a cocktail shaker with sugar, fresh lime juice and “empty” lime. Muddle well. Then add Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc, sparlking water and ice. Vigorously shake, carefully open and double strain into a martini glass without ice. Garnish with a mint leaf.
BATISTE BUCK
Our friend, renowned San Francisco bartender Thad Vogler, has created the perfect ride of hot, sweet and tart. We love combining ginger with bitters and encourage anyone who feels adventurous to hop on.
2 ounces of Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
1 ounce lime
½ ounce orange juice
¾ ounce fresh ginger syrup
½ ounce Martinique syrup
2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
Shake well and double strain over fresh ice in a 12 oz. glass. Garnish with broad orange zest.
The ginger solution is easy to make. Blend or food process one pint water, one pint raw, organic sugar, one pint fresh, cut ginger. Equal parts of any volume will work.
BATISTE HEMINGWAY
The cocktail that started it all is alive and well in this dry, balanced evolution of Papa’s preferred way of taking the drink. For the serious Francophile, an equally refreshing alternative is the Malraux, mixing with orange juice instead of grapefruit juice.
1½ ounces Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
3/4 ounce lime juice
½ ounce sugar cane syrup
½ ounce grapefruit juice
1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
Combine Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc and ingredients in a mixing cup, add ice, shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
BATISTE TI PUNCH
The tradition of St Barths with American sensibilities in mind, this is the margarita for rum lovers. It is light, refreshing and packs a punch… a ti punch (little punch).
5 ounces Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
½ lime
1 ounce sugar cane syrup
Pour Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc and the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass with ice. Important note: for a beverage that both refreshes and stimulates, taste and adjust for tartness over sweetness.
BATISTE TI SHOT
For those who like tradition and prefer a drink that is less sweet and full of heat, the Ti shot delivers. Connoisseurs will delight in the St. Barths custom of enjoying this little drink before and after dinner.
1 ounce of Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
Lime rind
½ tsp of cane sugar
In a small decorative glass, add the lime rind and the cane sugar. Using a small spoon, ceremoniously press the rind into the sugar to release the oil. Then pour Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc in, stir and sip. If at home, after the first round, leave sugar and lime in the glass and add more Batiste for a drink that continues to evolve in flavor.
BATISTE GINGER SMASH
Using favored perennial West Indian fruit, this cocktails inspiration is offered at Employees Only - one of my favorite bars in NYC – in the summer months.
2½ ounces Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
2 slices fresh ginger root
2 slices fresh pineapple
Splash of marachino liqueur (like Luxardo)
Muddle fresh ginger root and pineapple in a cocktail shaker. Add spirits and shake vigorously with ice. Strain and pour into glass with ice.
BATISTE RHUM ROYALE
If you enjoy a Cosmopolitan, you’ll want to open your mind to the Rhum Royale. The delicious and unique raspberry flavor of Chambord gives an extra frisson and beautiful color to this cocktail.
2 ounces Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
1 ounce Chambord liquor
Squeeze of lime
Pour Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc and Chambord into a cocktail shaker with ice and squeeze a bit of lime. Shake and serve in a stemmed glass and garnish with a twist of lime.
BATISTE RHUM FRUIT SHOTS
For the “health conscious drinker” and for the tired bartender who tires of muddling at the end of his shift, this creative concept was perfected by Thierry Badereaux, owner of La Plage in St Barths.
Bottle of Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc
Small plates of crystal cane sugar
Small plates of ground coffee beans
Fresh lime wheels
Fresh lemon wheels
Fresh mango slices
Fresh pineapple slices
You get the picture…
Slice the fruit into thin wheels or slices and arrange attractively on a plate. Pour Batiste Rhum Agricole Blanc into small glasses. Dip the fruit in sugar, or half sugar – half coffee, eat, and follow with a rhum chaser. Be creative and seasonal with your fruit choices and discover this new de-constructed cocktail.