About that name, Golden Shellback, from episode 54

A tangent I didn't take in the just-released Episode 54 of 5 Minutes of Rum was a brief discussion on the name of the cocktail by Jason Alexander from Tacoma Cabana that I made in the episode - the Golden Shellback. If you're wondering about that name, it comes from the "Crossing the Line" ceremony of many of the world's navies. 

"Crossing the Line" refers to one's crossing of the Equator for the first time and is an initiation rite sailors participate in. Those who have already crossed the Equator are referred to as "Shellbacks" while those who have not (yet) are "Pollywogs". A Golden Shellback refers to one who has crossed the Equator at the International Date Line. 

Since so much of rum's history is informed by its naval ties, this seems like a fine name for a rum-based cocktail.

New episode, 54, on its way

So close.

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Link: The Myth (and History) of the Cocktail Umbrella →

"But how the cocktail umbrella came to be synonymous with the faux-Polynesian drinks movement we know as tiki is even more vague."

Proper garnishes remain important.

Link: The Return of Oleo Saccharum Packs a Punch →

"Oleo saccharum, which basically translates to sugar oil, is a technique entirely premised on sugar's ability to extract moisture. "Oleo saccharum is the process of extracting oil from citrus peel," says Bodenheimer. "It's really that simple, it's not a very complex thing.""

An oleo saccharum really does make a big difference in a punch. It takes some additional planning and effort, but not too much.