David Morrison, Senior Blender for Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums, is on a mission to unearth the heart of Jamaica, one delectable cocktail and food pairing at a time in Appleton Estate’s Cocktails + Cuisine series. He’s cutting a winding path through Jamaica to expose persons to how they can pair the world’s most premium rum with chef creations for a taste of Jamaican Excellence.
Our adventure begins at the R Hotel, located in New Kingston, the centre of Kingston’s shopping, cultural and nightlife district. In the hotel restaurant, District 5, talented local Chef, Brian Lumley, serves his original dish, ‘Appleton’ glazed beef tenderloin with whipped mashed potatoes and a side of sautéed vegetables to a small group of Kingston’s most discerning foodies.
“The notes in the Appleton Rum flavour our oil,” explains Chef Lumley as he pours some rum into the pan as the tenderloin sizzles and smokes invitingly. “This is where we incorporate Jamaica!” As the rum caramelizes with butter, the room instantly becomes engulfed in the sweet and spicy aromas of beef, jerk seasoning, rosemary and of course, Appleton Estate. After the alcohol burns off, Chef Lumley removes the beef from the pan to let it cool, while he shares a tip with David about how to tell if your beef is medium, medium-rare or well-done. It got David thinking.
When the time came to pair a complementary cocktail, David felt inspired by Chef Lumley’s creative tutorial.
Gathered around the table in the elegantly appointed District 5 restaurant, guests eagerly awaited the pairing.
David selected two cocktails to complement Chef Lumley’s Appleton Estate-inspired fare. First up was Appleton Estate’s twist on the classic Old Fashioned. The key ingredient? Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year Old. Syrup spiced with holiday flavours of vanilla, cinnamon and cloves, a few dashes of bitters and the release of oils twisted from an orange peel came together in an extraordinarily sophisticated cocktail.
While some guests ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ between sips of Old Fashioned, others were treated to one of Appleton Estate’s newest additions to its range of premium expressions, the Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve. The foundation of the Golden Mojito, the Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve unlocked delicious flavours of mint, a hint of sweet, and tangy lime juice for a bold, crisp and easy-to-drink cocktail.
At the end of a spirited evening, David raised his glass. He began, “Let’s cheers to good times, good food and the Jamaican Excellence of Appleton Estate.”
Must be 18 years or older to drink. Drink responsibly.
