Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor 

Today (July 11) is World Rum Day, so let’s celebrate! 

And who wouldn’t love a cocktail that shares its name with a Scorsese film? This one is “The Departed.” Sorry, though – no Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, or Leonardo DiCaprio in sight.

To be honest, I looked everywhere and couldn’t find a documented connection between the cocktail and the film; the cocktail appears to have followed the film by at least 10 years. But naming a cocktail is the creator’s whim. Maybe she just loved that movie, or maybe she had something else in mind.  

The cocktail is a wedding of Guyana rum, two Italian Amari (Campari and Averna), and a mezcal for the depth of its smoke. It’s boozy and dark and complex, so one might consider this a winter drink, but I’m here to testify that it’s entirely pleasing in the warmth of summer as well. Of course it is; it’s rum! Your first sip will be on the sweet side, but it finishes with pleasantly bitter notes and a touch of smoke.

THE DEPARTED
1 oz. Demerara rum (I used El Dorado’s 8 year rum)
1 oz. Campari
¾ oz. Averna amaro
½ oz. Mezcal
1 dash of Peychaud’s bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice, stir for 15-20 seconds until well chilled, and then strain the mix into a rocks glass filled with ice (preferably clear, pure ice).

About our Cocktail of the Week partners—shop local and independent!
Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor are less than a mile from each other, on Monroe Avenue near Twelve Corners in Brighton.

Cooks’ World, in business since 1978, is Rochester’s premier retailer of dining, kitchen, and cooking products, including a complete selection of glassware, mixology tools, and accessories for wine and spirits lovers. Follow Cooks’ World on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up here to receive Cooks’ World’s daily email specials and other news. 

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, in business since 1997, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of spirits and wine from around the world, with a savvy staff to assist in your selection and encourage you along your cocktail and wine journey. Follow Pinnacle on Facebook and Instagram. For the inside track on Pinnacle’s spirits sales, send two text messages to (585)765-7546:
— Text the word “bourbon,” to receive weekly text messages offering the chance to buy rare or allocated whiskies or special prices on popular products.
—Text the word “spirits,” to receive roughly monthly offers on fine spirits other than whiskies.