Not all rums are created equal. Distilled since the year 1703 on the Caribbean island of Barbados, Mount Gay Rum has been revered throughout its history—by the likes of George Washington, no less—and today is honoring its deep connection to the ocean with a pledge to protect and sustain this invaluable asset.
The Barbados-based spirit’s deep appreciation for the ocean comes naturally, given its heritage spanning more than 300 years, where and how it’s made under tropical influences, and its ties to sailing. “Our premium rums are heavily influenced by our roots in Barbados, from the coral-filtered water to the ocean air imparted in our tropical aging process,” explains Ian McLernon, President and CEO Americas at Rémy Cointreau. “Protecting the ocean, one of the essential elements that unites Mount Gay and our community, is an important part of our partnership with 4ocean.” United by the ocean, Mount Gay teamed up with one of the leading ocean conservation organizations, 4ocean, to support their mission to help end the ocean plastic crisis.
Cocktails for a cause
That’s why this June, in honor of World Ocean Month, Mount Gay Rum invites everyone to sip for a cause. Throughout the month, when you indulge in a cocktail crafted with Mount Gay Rum at your local bar or purchase a bottle from participating retailers, you’ll also be helping the effort to remove plastic from the ocean. Mount Gay has pledged to commit $5 for every bottle and $1 for every cocktail sold, up to $100,000, to 4ocean’s Pound+ Program. This contribution directly funds the removal of tens of thousands of pounds of trash from oceans, rivers, and coastlines around the world.
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Earth-friendly initiatives
The adventurous spirit of sailors and their bonds to the ocean are intrinsic to the Bajan brand’s heritage. Adding to their support of the community, which includes sponsorship of major regattas worldwide, protecting the ocean is paramount to Mount Gay Rum: “As we are deeply ingrained in the sailing community, the ocean is at the center of experiences our clients enjoy,” notes McLernon.
With those experiences threatened as billions of pounds of plastic enter the ocean each year, and more than 80 percent of marine debris coming from land-based sources, the timely initiative is imperative. This global issue is at the heart of why Mount Gay Rum is committed to the use of sustainable and transparent practices. To meet the brand’s vision for environmental stewardship and carbon neutrality, the award-winning rum maker is hoping to reach 100 percent sustainable agriculture by 2025—thanks to the long-term environmental, agricultural, and community initiatives they’ve been pursuing.
With the 4ocean partnership Mount Gay takes their stewardship outside of the distillery too. The rum maker will also support 4ocean with beach clean-up efforts and education of its own community. And they’ve made it easy to raise awareness and show your values in style: In August, Mount Gay and 4ocean will unveil an exclusive red bracelet made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled materials and featuring a one-of-a-kind trident charm, which will further support the Pound+ Program. (Follow @mountgayrum for a chance to win one of the bracelets via a sweepstakes.)
Sustainable sips
These efforts to care for the health of the oceans surrounding Barbados is essential to creating Mount Gay Rum’s distinctively clean flavor profile itself. The pure, coral-filtered water used in the distilling process is a core ingredient, along with the finest sugar cane molasses and airborne yeast, that makes for an unparalleled Bajan rum that’s golden-hued and made without any additives. This June and beyond, you can drink—and recreate on your own—sustainable cocktails to beat the summer heat using Mount Gay Rum, and take pride in the knowledge that each sip is going to help clean up the ocean. Try these two:
Classic Daiquiri
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Mount Gay Black Barrel
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
Recipe
Add ingredients to shake. Add ice, shake, and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lime wheel or peel
Sustainable Component: This cocktail uses the whole lime.
Sea Bird
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Mount Gay Black Barrel
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 0.75 ounce pineapple syrup*
- 0.75 ounce bitter aperitivo
Recipe
Add all ingredients to your tin, add ice, and shake. Strain over ice. Garnish with pineapple frond or pineapple.
Pineapple syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup of chopped pineapple (including skin)
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of sugar
Recipe
Wash and chop pineapple. Bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring frequently. Turn to low and add pineapple. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cool, mash pineapple into syrup, strain, and serve.
Sustainable component: This cocktail uses the entire pineapple for the pineapple syrup.
Cheers! The ocean, and the health of the planet, thank you.
