For National Rum Day, experience rum’s versatility with these cocktails

With Aug. 16 designated as National Rum Day, we’ve got the perfect opportunity to explore one of the most diverse spirits available. Rum — made from molasses and then often aged in oak barrels — is incredibly versatile because no single standard defining what it can be exists; instead, rum varies in proof, flavor characteristics and other ways based on the rules and regulations in each country where it’s produced.

These three cocktails, including a classic, a riff on a classic and an original offering, display rum’s versatility and complexity. It’s good with spice, bitterness, bright citrus and other flavor pairings.

Flor Spicy Daiquiri

1 small pinch of salt

3/4 oz. lime juice

3/4 oz. simple syrup

1 oz Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur

1 oz. Flor de Cana 7

Combine all ingredients and half a cup of ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with sliced lime.

— Flor de Caña Rum

East India Negroni

2 oz. Banks 5-Island rum

1 oz. Campari

1 oz. Lustau East India sherry

Orange peel for garnish

Add all the ingredients but the garnish to a mixing glass, then add ice. Stir and strain into a rocks glass with one large ice cube. Garnish with the orange peel.

— Jim Meehan, author of “The PDT Cocktail Book”

Hellfire

1 oz. Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

2 dashes hot sauce

1/4 of a fresh lime

Lime wedge for garnish