Rum Sugar Lime elevates Reno’s rum palate.
Rum. For many, just the word alone evokes images of a certain swashbuckling captain or perhaps sickly sweet frozen concoctions with faux-tropical names and plastic, sword-shaped cocktail sticks. But not for the DeVincenzi family, who, while on vacations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and other tropical locales, would enjoy premium expressions of rum and wonder why they weren’t more common in the United States, especially back home in Reno.
Fast forward to a particularly memorable family holiday in Todos Santos, Mexico, and an epic last evening gathered around a beachside fire. Son Loren professed a desire to keep the spirit and happy energy going by opening a rum bar when they returned home. Maybe it was the beautiful surroundings, the glowing sunset, or, perhaps, the extended happy hour, but glasses were raised, and the idea was christened. But what to call it?
“Easy,” Loren recalls. “What do all tropical drinks have in common? The trinity: rum, sugar, and lime.”
With that, a family business was born.
They secured a space for Rum Sugar Lime in Midtown and built it out from scratch to create what is still the only tropical rum bar not only in Reno, but in all of Northern Nevada. And its rum collection of about 200 different bottles is the centerpiece of the offerings.
Rum is the Reason
Rum has come a long way from its pirate associations and is now one of the most popular spirits in the world. Many different styles are made, some using molasses and others sugar cane, and rum is distilled in a multitude of styles (light, gold, dark, vintage), many of which can be found behind the bar at RSL.
A big part of the vision was to present rum to Reno in an elevated way, as a sipping drink, similar to Scotch, and in flights in which the nuances and even textures of the various expressions can be experienced and enjoyed. These three-rum flights come in 1.5-ounce pours and can be prepared for beginning rum sippers (the Fledgling Flight) or can focus on specific regions. You also can simply place the decision in the hands of RSL’s experienced rum guides in its Bartenders’ Selection flight.
Taking the flights one step further, the business’ new Reno Rum Club is a fun way to learn more about the various rum producers, styles, and regions. This once-per-month series features evenings with rum experts, distillers, and mixologists taking guests through educational programs and tastings, as many do with wine. While the club is free to join, the events are limited to 24 seats and cost $40 to attend. Club members can earn ranking points, which can be used for RSL drink discounts, swag, and even recognition plaques.
RSL has become a go-to spot in Reno for fun, inventive cocktails, warm hospitality, and the perfect place to take a tropical vacation without leaving home.
Rum Sugar Lime
1039 S. Virginia St., Reno
775-384-1024 · Rumsugarlime.com
