Why You Should Make an Aperol and Rum Cocktail

If you haven’t been to the House of Found Objects in Birmingham, Alabama, you’re in for a treat. This cozy, charming bar is home to an eclectic collection of trinkets and memorabilia (think action figures, old-school telephones, and posters) collected by owner Feizal Valli. The Blair Gaither cocktail is, like many other drinks on the menu, named after a regular of the bar who loves to drink rum. This playful, surprisingly simple harmony of flavors channel the spirit of summer into a glass, and is easy to make year-round. —Oset Babür-Winter

Frequently asked questions

What is Banana de Brasil?

This Brazilian banana liqueur is also known as créme de Banana, and adds sweet, caramelized banana flavor to cocktails.

What can I substitute for Banana de Brasil?

If you don’t have Banana de Brasil handy for this cocktail, you can substitute banana extract, which you might have in your pantry for baking projects, like this TK. Note that banana extract does not contain the alcohol that banana liqueur does, which means you’ll have a lower-proof cocktail.

What is the difference between Aperol and Campari?

While Aperol and Campari are both made by the same company, Campari Group, Aperol is noticeably sweeter and adds a cheerful orange color to cocktails. Campari, on the other hand, is more bitter and has a deep, red hue. For the Blair Gaither, we recommend sticking to Aperol, as its sweetness goes perfectly with rum and blood orange syrup.

What is the best rum to use for this cocktail?

At the House of Found Objects, the Blair Gaither cocktail is made using Brugal añejo rum, which is a twice-distilled dark rum that adds rich toffee and pepper notes to this cocktail.