Unexpected & Amazing: Pecan Proof & Tropical/Fruity Flavors

These two great tastes are crazy good together

When you think “tropical” and “nut,” where does your mind go? Ours leans heavily toward coconuts and macadamias — not pecans, of all things. Pecans are for pies, right? Sort of a fall-and-winter nut?

Well, new stuff has come to light.

Like the time-honored yet odd-seeming pairing of Maple Bacon Proof Syrup with tequila, pecan plus rum in cocktail form caught us by surprise at first. We've had them together in pies, in candied pecans, and the like, but in a cocktail with fruit juices? Ah, no. And then we took a sip. For science.

Turns out, Pecan Proof Syrup is delicious with rum, and even more delicious with rum and fruit. In daiquiris, mai tais, and more, the subtle bitterness of pecans and the molasses earthiness of rum make sweet, beautiful deliciousness together. We surely haven’t covered all of the possibilities here, but we gave these four cocktails a thorough testing and found them delicious. 

Pecan Daiquiri

• ½ oz Pecan Proof Syrup
• 2 oz Aged Rum
• ¾ oz Lime Juice
• ½ oz Dry Curacao

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice; shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with lime wheel.

Pecan Apple Sour

• 1/2 oz Pecan Proof Syrup
• 1 oz Rum
• ½ oz Lime Juice
• 4 oz Hard Cider

Pour Proof Syrup, rum, and lime juice into a shaker with ice; shake until chilled. Strain into an ice-filled Collins or double Old Fashioned glass and top with hard cider. Give a quick stir — just a turn or two with a barspoon — and garnish with lime wheel.

Proof Colada

• ½ oz Proof Pecan
• 1 ½ oz Coconut Rum
• ½ oz Banana Liqueur
• 1 ½ oz Pineapple Juice
• ½ oz Coconut Cream

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice; shake hard until chilled and somewhat frothy. Strain into an ice-filled poco grande glass and garnish with pineapple spear.

Proof Mai Tai

• ½ oz Pecan Proof Syrup
• 1 ½ oz Pineapple Rum
• 1 oz Dark Rum
• ½ oz Orange Curacao
• 1 oz Lime Juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice; shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass and garnish with lime wheel.