If you’re looking for a charming and functional way to enhance your garden’s aesthetic, repurposing a whiskey barrel as a planter can be an excellent choice. These barrels are not only visually appealing but also easy to source from local hardware retailers like Ace and Lowe’s. To get started, you’ll need a few basic supplies, including a nutrient-rich potting soil and your selection of plants.

When selecting the location for your barrel planter, it’s important to think about placement as it can become quite heavy when filled. Make sure you drill adequate drainage holes in the bottom to prevent excessive moisture buildup, which can lead to rot in the wooden structure. Elevating the barrel slightly can also help with water drainage.

Fill the barrel with your potting soil, leaving about three inches from the rim for planting. Now comes the exciting part—choosing your plants! You might want to consider a terra cotta planter placed in the center to create layering effects with your plants.

What you choose to plant can depend on your culinary preferences—tomatoes and basil are a classic combination, while herbs like cilantro and oregano may also fit well if you’re into fresh cooking. Flowers can also make a stunning display when arranged in the barrel; consider the idea of "thrillers, spillers, and fillers" for your floral arrangements.

With a bit of creativity, your whiskey barrel planter can function as both a gorgeous focal point in your garden and a practical source of fresh herbs and vegetables.

For additional tips on selecting plants that thrive in whiskey barrels, check out this article.

Join us at Time Out Market Boston for the Best Rum Cocktail Contest! Scheduled for August 17, 2025, this event invites you to sip and savor a variety of rum cocktails crafted by Boston’s finest bartenders and restaurants. It’s a chance for you to taste and vote on the boldest rum creations, with the ultimate goal of crowning the Rum Royalty of Boston!

This exciting contest is FREE to attend, making it an excellent opportunity to enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and indulge in delightful flavors. You’ll be able to sample a range of refreshing cocktails and help determine which creation stands out above the rest.

Save the date and prepare to raise a glass as we celebrate rum like never before! Stay tuned for announcements regarding the participating venues and bartenders.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM
• Location: Time Out Market Boston

Don’t miss out on this tropical showdown! Mark your calendar and get ready for a fun afternoon of flavor and community.

The Jet Pilot is a classic cocktail that originated in 1958 at the Luau in Beverly Hills, co-owned by actor Steve Crane. This midcentury cocktail features a vibrant mix of Jamaican, demerara, and gold rums combined with grapefruit juice, lime juice, falernum, and cinnamon syrup, all enhanced with dashes of absinthe and bitters.

This cocktail draws inspiration from the tropical cocktail scene led by Don the Beachcomber, who was pivotal in creating drinks like the Fog Cutter, Cobra’s Fang, and Zombie. The Jet Pilot shares a close resemblance to another of Beach’s creations, the Test Pilot, but its ingredient list and build are notably similar to the popular Zombie cocktail.

Despite its complex and lengthy ingredient list, the Jet Pilot manages to deliver a well-balanced, refreshing drink. The combination of rums, lime juice, and sweeteners aligns with the traditional sour cocktail formula, reminiscent of a simple Daiquiri. The addition of multiple rums and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice enhances the depth of flavor, while the cinnamon syrup and falernum add sweetness and spice. A touch of Angostura bitters and absinthe introduces notes of baking spices and anise, rounding out the cocktail perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce overproof Jamaican rum
• 3/4 ounce overproof demerara rum
• 3/4 ounce gold rum
• 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup
• 1/2 ounce falernum
• 1 dash absinthe
• 1 dash bitters
• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Directions

1. Blend all liquid ingredients with 1 cup of crushed ice for 5 seconds.
2. Pour the mixture into a double Old-Fashioned glass and top with more crushed ice.
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

The Jet Pilot exemplifies the best of the tropical cocktail genre, bringing a piece of midcentury bar culture into the modern era.

What connection does a rum from a remote French island in the Indian Ocean have with the legendary tiki cocktail, the Mai Tai? Surprisingly, a lot.

The quintessential Mai Tai, particularly celebrated for its association with Trader Vic’s, represents an evolution that adapts to the unavailability of ingredients over time. The original Mai Tai was concocted in 1944 by Victor Bergeron, known as Trader Vic, for some Tahitian friends. Today, many enthusiasts crave the authentic taste of that original creation, famously crafted with the now highly coveted J. Wray & Nephew 17 Year Old Jamaican rum. However, acquiring this rum is akin to finding gold, often exceeding $1,000 on the secondary market.

Following the formula, Trader Vic’s Mai Tai evolved as supplies of the original rum dwindled. Bergeron replaced it first with a 15-year rum and later with a blend featuring various Jamaican rums, adapting to ensure quality and taste.

Additionally, Vic sought to maintain the unique flavors reminiscent of the original Mai Tai. In a 1970 treatise, he mentioned that while his blends were excellent, they didn’t quite match the distinct taste of the original 17-year rum. He introduced Martinique rum, known as rhum, into the mix—though at the time it was made from molasses, not the cane juice version favored today.

In recent times, sourcing ingredients to replicate the original Mai Tai has become easier, thanks to producers like Holmes Cay, which has released a Réunion Island Rum Traditionnel. This rum, aged for three years in ex-cognac casks, mirrors flavors that evoke the classic Mai Tai.

To create a modern interpretation of the Trader Vic’s Mai Tai, one might blend the Réunion rum with Appleton Estate rums to replicate the original’s complexity. The full recipe involves various components, including fresh lime juice, curaçao, orgeat syrup, and rock candy syrup, all blended to create that signature flavor combination.

The technique is straightforward: shake all ingredients with ice, then serve over crushed ice, garnished with mint and the spent lime shell—a nod to the classic preparation.

While any Mai Tai today may diverge from the exact recipe crafted in 1944, each iteration remains a delicious homage to the original tiki cocktail, entwined with the rich history of rum and the artistry of mixology.