I make no secret about stuff. I’m a Rum fan. Always have been, always will be. It was my first love way back in 1995. Nothing can come close in my opinion. It’s Fun. It’s cheeky. It helps you be a little bit naughty. It is THE party spirit.
However, the eagle eyed StB stalkers amongst you will know that 75% of the content I bang out there is about Gin. Well, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like Gin. Of course I do. Not as much as Rum, but my content has been to satisfy 2 things. Your questions and intrigue. And my Intrigue too. You see my content has helped me learn a whole new category, which I’ve loved. And do you know the funny thing?! I’m now way more knowledgeable now about Gin, than I’ve ever been about Rum.
With Rum, I know the basics, I know the flavour profiles, I know the categories. But I don’t know the nitty gritty like I do Gin. I know a lot of details about Gin Distilleries, their processes. And in that regards, in the Rum world, I’m now a relative novice. But that is something I will change in 2019. I’m going on a Rum Journey and I’ll bring you guys with me.
So, what’s that got to do with Schweppes new 1783 Muscovado Dark Spirit Mixer?!
Well, quite a lot. Sort of!
You see, my whole Gin Quest has been mainly revolved around finding the perfect Tonics for certain Gins. Which has also led me on to Rum. You see, As I keep saying (and why the industry Gods don’t say the same thing, is beyond me!) It’s not GIN that’s huge right now. It’s Gin AND TONIC. It’s that grab and go category that has taken the UK by storm. Never has it been so easy to make simple “Cocktails” at home. Buy Flavoured Gin. Buy random Tonics, whack random fruit in. Et Viola.
This leads me on to Rum. Because the industry Gods keep saying, Rum will be the next big thing. I ain’t so sure. Because, what has Rum got?!
Rum and Coke. Hands up if you’re a Coke Fan?
Rum and Ginger Beer. Now that’s me, but I know a lot of people aren’t Ginger Beer fans.
Rum and Ting. 90% of you will be like “What’s Ting?!”
Rum and Lemonade. Don’t be silly.
Malibu and Pineapple. Stop reading right now. Go hang your heads in shame...
You see Rum is a Cocktail Spirit. Pina Colada’s, Cuba Libra’s, Mojito’s, Punches, Stormies, Swizzles, Mai Tai’s, Daiquiris...no not those frozen alcoholic equivalents to the Slush Puppies you get at your local Cinema!!
Do you get the picture now? Rum simply hasn’t got that unique go to category. Rum and... that you can make at home. That’s why it may not become the next big thing. Until a few of us Bartenders get on it and promote the ultra-Simple serve for you guys at home.
So, I’ll say it again. What the heck has this got to do with Schweppes 1783 Muscovado Dark Spirit Mixer?!
A freakin LOT.
For me, this baby is a Game Changer. I first had the pleasure in trying this back in June 2018, then again 2 weeks later when it got properly launched at Imbibe Live. I was instantly in love. This is my new go to Rum Drink. I bloom in love it.
The next week, I tried to get some. Supplier after supplier just shrugged their shoulders at me. 2 months passed. Nothing. 4 months. Nothing. I thought, perhaps Schweppes had pulled it. Perhaps I was alone, and the feedback was terrible. Then London Cocktail week came. Helloooo! A whole Bar at the Village dedicated to 1783 Mixers. It had finally landed. I consumed a few that night and again couldn’t wait to get hold of some.
Even speaking to a local supplier to me, their reply; “We will not be adding to our Range!”
Idiots!!!
But thankfully, December 2018. That issue has been resolved. Schweppes 1783 Muscovado Dark Spirit Mixer has Landed in the Supermarket in handy 150ml 6 pack cans. At the time of writing, 14th December, I’m on my 4th pack purely on personal consumption! And if you do the maths, that’s a few bottles of Rum too!!
So why has it got me all excited?!
I just love the taste. It’s not Coke, it hasn’t got that sticky sweet finish to it. It’s not Ginger Beer, which I love, but other people hate...it hasn’t got that fiery twang to it. Not it’s just a lovely fizzy well-balanced mixer with a mildly sweet finish that compliments my fave spirit so well.
I’ve tried this with Havana 3yo, with Kraken, with Old J Dark and Original Spiced Rums. With Appleton 12yo. With El Dorado 12yo. With Plantation 3 Stars and OD. It just works by cleverly enhancing the Rum taste, but by adding a touch of drinkability to it.
(Side note, the “Dark Spirit Mixer”, I have also tried this alongside Cognac and Whiskey. Cognac wise, for me, nope, not working. But the Whiskey, Makers Mark and Bulleit, yeah I’d given it a 7/10)
Now, I know that this won’t be big unless Schweppes do a big drive on it in the Public domain. I will do my fair share in 2019, don’t get me wrong. But it’s gonna need Schweppes maybe to team up with Diageo (as they’ve done so well in the past) to create some brand awareness alongside Captain Morgan himself.
My only urge to you, TRY IT.
Grab a case this Crimbo and add it to your Rum. Tesco’s, Sainsburys, Ocado, Waitrose, Morrisons. They’ve all got the cans now for £2.50 a pack of 6. Trust me, it’s well worth it.
And as a sign off. Garnish wise. Try it with some Orange instead of Lime. That’s my go to. Yeah, you guessed it, my Dehydrated Orange Slices ;-)
