With the onset of monsoon around the country, it is a great opportunity to unwind with rain drizzling in the background. And with World Rum Day around the corner (July 9th), there are many amazing cocktails that blend perfectly with the monsoon mood to jazz up your lazy rainy evenings.

Traditionally associated with dark and light variation, rum has seeped into more inventive and alluring cocktails and punches. The true beauty of rum lies in its versatility as different variants are produced in more than 80 countries worldwide. If you’re staying in and planning a house party, splurge on some delectable rum-infused cocktails to add zeal to your celebrations.?

Let's go on a binge with these cocktails to kick off a relaxing weekend.
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MONSOON BLOODY MARY

Ingredients: 60ml rum | 90ml Jimmy’s Bloody Mary mix| 1 pinch Freshly chopped coriander leaves|1 pinch Chat Masala | 1 pinch Black Salt | 1 Freshly cut cucumber slice
Steps: In a shaker glass filled with ice, pour the above ingredients and shake well. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with a freshly cut cucumber slice and fresh mint sprigs

FROZEN BANANA DAIQUIRI

Ingredients: 60ml Bootz Dark Jamaica Rum | 45 ml of fresh lime juice | 15 ml simple syrup | 1 banana, peeled and sliced (reserve a couple of slices for garnish) | 1 cup crushed ice
Steps: In a blender, combine the rum, lime juice, simple syrup, banana, and ice. Cover and blend on high until smooth. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with a banana slice.

CLOUDY RUM PUNCH

Ingredients: 60ml Rum | 90ml Jimmy’s Gin Cherry Sour Mix | 10 ml Fresh Lime juice | Ginger Ale
Steps: In a tall glass filled with ice, pour the above ingredients and top with ginger ale. Stir well and garnish with a fresh ginger slice.

DARK N STORMY

Ingredients: 60ml Bootz Dark Jamaica Rum | 15 ml lime juice, freshly squeezed | Ginger beer, to top (about 150 ml) | Garnish: Slice of lime
Steps: Add rum and lime juice to a tall glass filled with ice. Top with the ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wheel.

MARGARITA WITH A TWIST

Ingredients: 60ml Rum | 90ml Jimmy’s Margarita Mix | 1 Fresh green chilli | 1 Orange wedge
Steps: Pour all ingredients into a shaker glass with ice and shake well. Strain into a stem glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice

Jungle Book by Latesh Kotian, Head Mixologist, Silly

Ingredients: Bacardi white Rum- 50ml | Campari- 5ml | In-house orange liqueur- 10ml | Pineapple juice- 60ml | Freshly squeezed lime juice- 5ml

Method:- shaken
Glassware:- Tiki glass
Garnish:- pineapple leaf with orange wedge and mint sprig

What that! By Yazu Goa, Shitij Harnwal, Restaurant Manager

Ingredients: 60 ml infusion white rum | Top up with hibiscus tonic water

Glass : Boston or Tom Collins glass
Description: white rum infusion with edible flowers and Thai chill

Shiso Leaf Mojito, by Wakai Bar Manager Peter D'costa

Ingredients: Bacardi 30ml | Jagermeister 30ml | Shiso leaf 2 (muddle) | Demerara sugar |Fresh lime 2 to 3 wedges

Mix and serve chilled