If you love Disneyland or used to live in Southern California like I did, you are likely well aware of the sweet treat known as Dole Whip. It’s basically just soft-serve ice cream combined with fresh pineapple juice, and it is tart, super sweet, and a fun treat on a hot and sunny California day. It was invented at Disneyland in the 1950s and is still served at the Happiest Place on Earth (probably by some underpaid, overworked employee).
Local award-winning distillery Maggie’s Farm Rum has brought that pineapple flavor to Pittsburgh, with the welcome addition of their 50/50 Pineapple Rum. The Strip District distillery has a new seasonal menu and a Rum Dole Whip cocktail is front and center.
The fruity beverage combines fresh banana, crushed pineapple, powdered sugar, and coconut milk whipped together with the 50/50 Pineapple Rum. The rum is made by macerating fresh pineapple into Maggie’s Dark Rum and mixing it with a white rum that is then vaporized through pineapple barks to capture the fruit’s oils.
The Rum Dole Whip cocktail is as refreshing as a smoothie, but much lighter because it's whipped. The banana helps to mellow out the strong sweetness of the pineapple and coconut, as well as diminish some of the strong spiciness from the rum. The result is so drinkable, you’ll have to force yourself to slow down so you can actually enjoy it.
Maggie’s also recently created a whole line of seasonal cocktails inspired by flavors more accustomed to the tropics. The Fassionola combines white rum and fresh-squeezed lime juice with a syrup made from berries, passion fruit, and hibiscus. The tiki drink is sour, sweet, and has a nice kick.
A Coco Mojito is a twist on the classic mint-infused Cuban cocktail, with coconut water replacing soda water. Peach on the Beach is sort of a tiki drink meets Northern flavor — warm tastes of vanilla and maple syrup meld with peaches and passion fruit.
To really tie one on, try the #TAF. The drink is strong; Maggie’s will only serve two per person. It combines dark and white rums with a bevy of tropical and temperate fruits into a powerful punch.
Get the Rum Dole Whip while it lasts. Maggie’s says that it will only be available for another week or so. And all of Maggie’s rums, including the 50/50 Pineapple Rum, are for sale by the bottle at the distillery and many local Fine Wines and Good Spirits stores.
