Rum recipe(s): The Errol and the Olivia

OK, OK, so I've been mixing more than I've been sailing, but I just went into the kitchen feeling mixological mojo and came out with not one but two new cocktails.  These vary only by two ingredients, and thus I decided to name them together:

The Errol:
--Cruzan Aged Rum
--Domaine de Canton
--Regan's Orange Bitters
--Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters
--Ginger ale
--ice

The Olivia:
--Cruzan White Rum
--Domaine de Canton
--Regan's Orange Bitters
--Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters
--Coke
--ice

Gimme a break, just looking those two together in Captain Blood makes me melty.  One of the best classic screen duos ever.  If only improvisatory cocktails could do them justice.

Rum recipe: Captain Blood

Variation on the classic Dark 'n' Stormy.  Credit goes to the inimitable Mike and Kat of the Driftwood Room at the Hotel deLuxe for introducing me (us) to the magical fourth ingredient.  But I thought this one up as Zanne and I were at the bar and named it for the dashing Mr. Flynn's (and Mr. Sabatini's) classic character.
--Gosling's Black Seal Rum
--ginger beer/ale
--slice of lime (not optional)
--Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
--ice

"We, the undersigned, are men without a country. Outlaws in our own land and homeless outcasts in any other. Desperate men, we go to seek a desperate fortune. Therefore, we do, here and now, band ourselves into a brotherhood of buccaneers... to practice the trade of piracy on the high seas. We, the hunted, will now hunt." --Captain Blood

Classic beer: Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Over at Zzyzx Road Kitchen, Zanne has been getting a steady Russian invasion after posting a recipe for povitica, the Croatian Easter bread that has different names and forms throughout Eastern Europe.  Judging by my traffic sources, Zanne has led the Russians onto my ship!  Zanne's reponse to the invasion was to make 'em more hungry and post a recipe for Chicken Kiev.  My response is to get 'em thirsty...

Rum recipe: Kraken and water

Simple, yet poetic.  Kraken Black Spiced Rum and just enough agua to open it up.  Don't mess with rocks.  Just sip.  Somehow, pleasantly, this excellent rum is widely available in Seattle's State Liquor Stores.  The rum itself isn't as dark as blackstrap, and the spicing is a bit more mellow than Sailor Jerry.  Seek it out, before the Kraken seeks you out instead...

Float the Fleet!

THE LADY WASHINGTON AND HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAIN NEED OUR HELP!

The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport recently launched a fund raising contest called "Float the Fleet:  For the Next Generation."  The objective is to raise money simply to keep the ships maintained.  This starts with $168,000 to purchase wood now to restore the hull that was originally going to be funded by the State until the grant suffered the axe (so to speak) of budget cuts.  The long-term goal is to raise $3 million by 2017.

Doing good for Washington's tall ships is important enough, but here's the fun part.  "The Pirates and Privateers" contest, which ends June 20, has a fabulous grand prize:  The winning crew takes the Lady as a "prize" for a whole year, meaning official recognition and photo op's; gets 12 VIP (Very Impressive Pirate) passes good for any public sail; and may hoist their own colors on the Lady's masthead!

I have decided to captain a crew for this effort.  Now I need YOU...and anyone else you can press into service.  On the online sea, the easiest way to contribute is to go to http://www.historicalseaport.org/ways-to-give/float-the-fleet-pirates, click on the "Donate Online Now" link at the bottom of the page, and tell 'em Blue Lou Logan sent ye where it asks "How did you hear about us?"

The Lady and the Chieftain need US.  Do it for the ship...and for the prize!