It's National Root Beer Float Day (August 24) and restaurants across the United States are serving up this iconic summer treat. In Fort Myers, one diner has even tied in a children's charity. Enjoy a root beer float Thursday and help Southwest Florida kids, if you order that float at Ella Mae's Diner. Ella Mae's is in the Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers. The hotel is the newest addition to the downtown skyline, facing the the Caloosahatchee River. It has strong ties to local charities and organizations. Golisano Children's Hospital is one of them.
The event is not just about the kids. In addition, it celebrates founders J. Williard and Alice S. Marriott. The couple opened the first, nine-stool A&W Root Beer stand in Washington D.C. back in 1927. From that little stand, the massive Marriott International hotel company was born.
Enjoy A Root Beer Float Thursday
Thursday from 7am to 2pm, stop by Ella Mae's for a delicious float. It's made with vanilla ice cream and of course, root beer. The two are layered in a tall fountain glass. The creamy ice cream and bold root beer make great companions for the taste buds. Floats are just $4.95 today. The proceeds are being donated to the Golisano Children's Hospital on Summerlin Road in Fort Myers. In addition, Ella Mae's will be serving up hot plates of the Southern comfort food they are known for.
Ella Mae's is famous for their biscuits and corn fritters among other things. The diner is open for both breakfast and lunch. Help local kids. Enjoy Root Beer Float day. This is a win win event. Especially for your taste buds.
Celebrating National Rum Day With A New Distiller At Cape Coral’s Wicked Dolphin
Getting over the hump of the work week might be a little more fun than usual today. Bars and restaurants across Southwest Florida are honoring the day with rum specials and tempting cocktails. However, the party is extra special for one local distillery. They are celebrating National Rum Day with a new distiller at Cape Coral’s Wicked Dolphin.
Eric Robinson is the new man of the hour with some 12 years of distilling experience. Wicked Dolphin was established by JoAnn Elardo in 2012. Starting small, she and her family hand peeled citrus and other ingredients needed for their small batch rum. Local sourcing has always been important to JoAnn. Florida sugar cane is used in the distilling process. The distillery has gone on to win numerous awards and accolades, nationwide. When she first started the distillery, she fought to change Florida laws when it came to crafting, tasting and selling alcohol in one space. She is considered to be a pioneer in the state when it comes to craft spirits and family distilling operations.
You can take a tour of the Wicked Dolphin Distillery at their facility on SW 3td Place. Tours include tasting some of the most popular spirits as well as those being created. Be sure to try the Wicked Dolphin Rumshine, their version of moonshine. It comes in blueberry and strawberry flavors.
In addition, many local bars carry a range of the local spirits. The rums are low sugar and gluten free. In addition to celebrating National Rum Day with a new distiller at Cape Coral’s Wicked Dolphin, I’ve put together a few recipes to try at home. Cheers.
Please drink responsibly.
Wicked Dolphin Beach Punch
It's a classic rum punch. Find lots of recipes on the Wicked Dolphin website.
1 oz Wicked Dolphin Vanilla Rum
1 oz Wicked Dolphin Black Rum
1 oz Amaretto
1 oz Orange Juice
1 oz Cranberry Juice
1 oz Lemon Juice
2 dashes of bitters
Shake to combine. Strain over ice and garnish with fruit.
Macadamia Piña-Jito
This comes from rocker Sammy Hagar. Not only does he have his own line of rum but also a book of recipes. This one comes from the Splash of Aloha chapter, page 46 to be specific. It is colorful and festive looking.
4 fresh mint leaves
1⁄2 ounce of fresh lime juice
3 ounces of Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut
4 fresh pineapple chunks
1 ounce of Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum Rum
Soda water, as needed
1 ounce of Sammy’s Red Head Rum
2 or 3 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters
Garnish: toasted coconut, a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry
Add the mint leaves to the bottom of a hurricane glass. Using a muddler, gently (yet firmly) muddle the mint, add the lime juice and set aside. In a bar or kitchen blender, add a couple handfuls of ice along with the cream of coconut, pineapple chunks, and Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum Rum.
Purée until blended, then pour into the hurricane glass that contains the muddled mint and lime juice, and top with soda water. Float the Sammy’s Beach Bar Red Head Rum on top, along with two or three dashes of bitters. Garnish with toasted coconut, a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.
Passionfruit Coconut Mai Tai
This one comes from Lee Corbett, a recipe developer, food blogger and food photographer. Her blog, is The Rogue Brussel Sprout. It's a fun spin on the classic Mai Tai.
In a cocktail shaker, combine Kōloa Kaua`i Coconut Rum, pineapple juice, lime juice and passionfruit. Shake well with ice. Pour into a chilled glass through a strainer coarse enough to allow the passionfruit pulp to pass through. Add Kōloa Kaua`i Dark Rum floater. Garnish with your favorite tropical fruit and a toasted coconut chip.
