There's nothing quite like a rum cocktail to make it feel like summer. Alas, this particular summer isn't especially rum-soaked for me, but there's always...rum cake? That's good, too.

My favorite rum-inclusive beverage is one that I discovered in the Caribbean: to make a Cayman Islands Rum Punch, just mix together 1 oz premium dark rum, 3 oz orange juice, 1 oz pineapple juice, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a splash of grenadine for color (let the grenadine float on the top of the cocktail to create a lovely sunset effect). Garnish with a cherry and/or paper umbrella, and enjoy with your feet planted firmly in the sand (or at least while dreaming of tropical beaches).

Now, what rum to use? Zacapa premium rum is produced in the Quetzaltenango highlands, where the cool air and elevation slow the aging process. The process itself was developed by the Spaniards 500 years ago, and involves passing each drop of rum through barrels that originally housed American whiskey, Oloroso sherry, or Pedro Ximenez wine, thereby creating a uniquely complex flavor.