Any drink named after a dictator is a good place to start. Rum drinks are generally accompanied by fruit juices, so the ingredients in the Castro weren’t surprising.

During the process of mixing this drink I realized that I just don’t like Bacardi. I know legions of sorority girls swear by it, but the quality of the rum is no better than the dreadful Sauza I keep for bad margaritas. Once the bottles in my cabinet dry up, it’s time for some better quality rum.

1 1/2 oz gold rum
3/4 oz calvados
1 1/2 oz orange juice
3/4 oz lime juice
3/4 oz Rose’s Lime Cordial
1 tsp gomme syrup

Shake ingredients and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of lime.

The fruit juices are a refreshing diversion from the chalky rum, but this drink would be much better served by a high quality rum. Despite this, it manages to be both tasty and tropical, which is a nice treat on a warm evening.