Survive the summer doldrums with National Rum Day cocktails

Mid-August, when the summer doldrums seem never ending, is the best time for a good rum punch or tiki cocktail. After all, what better cure is there for handling the heat than something nice and tropical to take you back to your beach vacation?

Maybe that’s why Aug. 16 is National Rum Day. Here are four rum-focused cocktail recipes to help transport you back to the island paradise you’ve been missing.

Hemingway Daiquiri

2 oz. Caliche Rum

1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur

1/2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice

3/4 oz. lime juice

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a rocks glass.

— Caliche Rum

Heavy Punch

1½ oz. Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

1 oz. fresh pineapple juice

1/2 oz. part port

1/2 oz. simple syrup

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

4 dashes of aromatic bitters

Combine ingredients, shake and strain over crushed ice. Garnish with fresh grated nutmeg.

— Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

Texas Mai Tai

1 1/2 oz. Treaty Oak Platinum Rum

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

1/2 oz. Cointreau

1/2 oz. Orgeat

Treaty Oak Barrel Reserve Rum floater

Combine the Treaty Oak Platinum Rum, Cointreau, orgeat, and lime juice in a mixing glass and shake vigorously with ice to chill. Strain drink into a glass filled with ice. Slowly pour Treaty Oak Barrel Reserve Rum to layer on top. Garnish with mint sprig.

— The Corner Restaurant at the JW Marriott Austin

The Brigantine

1 1/2 oz. Cana Brava Rum

3/4 oz. chamomile liqueur

1/2 oz. orgeat

1/2 oz. lemon juice

Austin Eastciders or another cider

Build all ingredients, except Eastciders, in a mixing cup. Shake vigorously with ice and strain over fresh ice. Top with Eastciders

Add lemon for garnish.

— The Corner Restaurant at the JW Marriott Austin