Photography by Justin Negard
This cocktail is a riff off of a traditional daiquiri, a drink typically made with rum and lime juice.
Several months ago, I visited an organic coffee/chocolate/rum farm in Belize where I learned more about rum. The most authentic form, now rare, is crafted from fresh sugar cane juice, and is known as agricultural rum. (Most rums today are made from molasses.) I was fascinated by how the type of sugar cane, along with the soil and climate, deeply influences the flavor. It gave me a new appreciation for how the earth impacts the flavors of our foods and beverages.
I’ve enjoyed rum drinks for years, especially in Jamaica, my favorite place to unwind. There, birthdays are often celebrated with the phrase “blessed earth strong.” With that in mind, and because this drink’s distinct layers of flavor allow you to appreciate the earth’s bounty, I named my twist on the daiquiri “Earth Strong.”
– Dr. Elixir
Ingredients
SERVES TWO.
2 oz. agricultural white rum
1 oz. agricultural cocoa rum*
1 oz. dark rum
1 oz. orgeat syrup (a.k.a. almond syrup)
2 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice
3-5 sprigs of mint, divided
Directions
Combine all liquid ingredients into a shaker along with one sprig of mint. Add one scoop of ice and shake vigorously for one minute. Pour the drink through a strainer into an ice-filled glass and finish with a sprig (or two) of mint.
*To make your own cocoa rum, steep two teaspoons of cocoa nibs in one cup of white rum for two weeks, shaking daily. Strain before using.
This article was published in the July/August 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Luz Michelle
Luz Michelle has channelled her unique life experiences and background into a successful comedy career, gracing stages such as Caroline's, Gotham Comedy Club, The Stand, The NY Underground Comedy Festival, The North Carolina Comedy Festival and more, with her malapropisms and unique style. As Founder of Hard Headed Comedy™, a comedy entertainment company, Luz produces live and streamed showcases featuring a diverse mix of established and up-and-coming comedic talent.
Justin is an award-winning designer and photographer. He was the owner and creative director at Future Boy Design, producing work for clients such as National Parks Service, Vintage Cinemas, The Tarrytown Music Hall, and others. His work has appeared in Bloomberg TV, South by Southwest (SXSW), Edible Magazine, Westchester Magazine, Refinery 29, the Art Directors Club, AIGA and more.
Justin is a two-time winner of the International Design Awards, American Photography and Latin America Fotografia. Vice News has called Justin Negard as “one of the best artists working today.”
He is the author of two books, On Design, which discusses principles and the business of design, and Bogotà which is a photographic journey through the Colombian capital.
Additionally, Justin has served as Creative Director at CityMouse Inc., an NYC-based design firm which provides accessible design for people with disabilities, and has been awarded by the City of New York, MIT Media Lab and South By Southwest.
He lives in Katonah with his wonderfully patient wife, son and daughter.
