Guava rum

I don't drink cocktails that often, but for a Fourth of July barbecue, I brought along a sample bottle of Cruzan Guava Rum, the first-ever guava-flavored spirit in the U.S.

Wow. This is good, easy sipping stuff. Rich, smooth and fruity. A party-goer at the barbecue, who is originally from Jamaica, also gave it high marks.

I put the bottle in the freezer, a la vodka, and was going to use it for daiquiris. But it was so smooth, we wound up serving shots to everyone. And that was before the dancing to the Best of the 70s hits began. On second thought, maybe that's what started the Best of the 70s booging.

Cruzan Guava Rum will be available at spirits retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $11.99 per 750 ml bottle. Cruzan Guava is the ninth variety in the Cruzan flavored rum family, which also includes Black Cherry, Coconut, Mango, Pineapple, Banana, Citrus, Raspberry and Vanilla

Here are a couple of drink recipes:

Guava Good Time
1 & 1/2 part Cruzan Guava
2 part mango juice
1 part apricot juice

Shake and strain over fresh ice into a highball. Garnish with a slice of fruit (guava, mango, apricot or all of them)

Cruzan Coral Reef
1 part Cruzan Guava
1 part Cruzan Coconut
2 part pink grapefruit juice

Shake ingredients and strain over fresh ice into a tumbler. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.