Summer of Rum

Pina Coladas, Daiquiris and Other Poolside Classics

There’s a new hot spot just over the bridge in Newport with frosty cocktails, a welcoming poolside bar and just enough mid-century flair. Corey Hayes, director of food and beverage at Nomi Park at the Wayfinder Hotel, leads the progressive beverage program featuring a solid list of modern tiki drinks, draft cocktails and classics, including an exceptional Daiquiri (white rum, lime, sugar)—a cocktail many consider to be a bartender’s true test.

Hayes forecasts that this will be “the summer of rum,” a fitting theme for casual poolside sipping, dipping and general warm weather revelry. Hayes leans toward the “less is more” philosophy when building drinks, except when it comes to making modern tropical cocktails like Coco’s Punch (dark Jamaica rum, Campari, pineapple, lime), his popular riff on a mid-’70s classic called The Jungle Bird. His version beams with the addition of fresh OJ and orgeat, an aromatic almond syrup that successfully rounds the bittersweet edges of Campari.

Another menu highlight is the Pina Verde, a fresh take on the beloved Pina Colada with the clever substitution of green Chartreuse for white rum yielding an incredibly textured, balanced and herbaceous drink.

If you don’t see me by the pool this summer it’s because I’ll be on my boat blending up a round of Coco Chas, my favorite frozen Daiquiri with a tropical splash of Mahina coconut liqueur and a hint of hibiscus honey syrup for color. No boat or blender handy? Visit the hidden oasis that is Nomi Park to greet the frozen/modern tropical cocktail of your dreams.