Basic home bars can make a series of drinks with the addition of a bottle of sparkling wine. Among them is the Airmail. While airmail originally started in the 1910’s and 1920’s, the cocktail didn’t appear until almost halfway through the 20th century. While the naming of the cocktail is a mystery, the actual drink is a tuned up Daiquiri adding flavor with honey and sparkling wine. While a bit far from a true Tiki drink, this drink fits well for fans of rum.
Airmail
No garnish.
The Airmail does a nice job straddling the line between dry and sweet, and elegantly balances the flavors as it goes. The rum really is given an opportunity to shine here, bringing in subtle caramel notes, touches of spice, hints of molasses or brown sugar, and tropical fruit funk. Aided by the brightness of the lime and citrus qualities of the sparkling wine, it becomes both rich and refreshing.
Drink Notes & Recommendations:
The rum is a key flavor driver in an Airmail, and you should plan accordingly. Expect this to be the dominate note in your cocktail, while wine serves to expand the flavors and add more complexity.
- Aged Rum – We used Bacardi 8 here, but any moderately aged rum will do. Other recommended bottles include Doorly X.O., El Pasador de Oro, and Kirk and Sweeney 12. You could also try Appleton Reserve for a more funky version, or a lightly aged rum to emphasize more of the supporting notes or less spice.
- Rich Honey Syrup – Combine 85 g water and 200 g honey in an 8 oz mason jar and seal. Sous vide at 145 degrees for 2 hr. Remove from the water bath and allow to cool. Once cool, bottle. If desired, add 15 g of 150+ Proof Neutral Grain Spirit or vodka if desired. Shake gently to combine. Refrigerate.
- Sparkling Wine – You could spend lots of money for a bottle of Dom Perignon, but that’d be a waste of great champagne. Instead, look for sparkling wines around $10 – 15 a bottle listed as dry or brut. These include sparkling wines, Cavas, and Proseccos. We used Kirkland’s Asolo Prosecco for about $7 a bottle.
- Lime Juice – Use fresh squeezed for best results.
Used Bacaradi 8 and Costco Prosecco