Following yesterday's post on Kraken Rum, and an evening spent sampling the recommended cocktails (which, incidentally, were quite delicious), we at The Amazing Blog thought we'd stick with the same theme and feature the RumFest which is due to hit the streets of London this very weekend. The world’s biggest and best rum festival is taking place at London Excel this Saturday and Sunday (13^th and 14^th October) and is bound to be a tantalising treat for the taste buds. Offering revellers the chance to sip, savour and buy over 400 of the rarest and most delicious rums from around the world, it’s a fabulous celebration of the Caribbean’s tipple of choice. And in addition to the dark liquid, RumFest’s Tropical Food Area brings the opportunity to try delicious street food and some of the finest Caribbean cuisine. From rumcakes, to infused chocolate and fresh coconuts RumFest really is bringing a little bit of Caribbean beach life to Autumnal London.

And for anyone after a bit of culture there will be workshops and seminars discovering rum's history, where and how it's made plus master classes on rum and chocolate pairing. The Rum University will also be on hand where 'Cocktail historians' will be featured and Ian Burrell's Rum map will be revealed, outlining where rums come from around the world and linking in their flavours and ingredients.

There will also be a cocktail theatre with live demos and competitions, the chance to see some of the most exciting and skilled mixologists create cocktail master pieces and a live band playing exotic rhythms and really bringing a flavour of the Caribbean over to London’s dismal streets.

So whether you’ve got an uneventful weekend ahead of you and are looking for something fun to do or want to celebrate all things rum-related, check out London’s rather wonderful RumFest, tickets available here.

Now that jugs of Pimms, white wine spritzers and lazy afternoons spent in beer gardens drinking just-pulled pints are but a distant, sun-drenched memory, now is the time to be indulging in winter-appropriate tipples. And while we're not yet ready to be sipping eggnog and mulled wine, the gang at The Amazing Blog has stumbled across the perfect tipple to see us through winter.

Named after a mythical sea beast, The Kraken is a spiced Caribbean rum aged and enriched with exotic spices including cinnamon, ginger and clove. Distilled in Trinidad and Tobego from sweet molasses, the ageing takes place over a two-year period in ex-bourbon whiskey barrels and is blended with an exotic combination of 14 spices, giving it a smooth and sultry taste.

Unlike many rums which have a sharp bite and a burn that lingers long after it's swallowed, Kraken Black Spiced Rum has a rich, caramel-like flavour with a gentle after-taste. Certainly none of the willing volunteers here at The Amazing Blog had cause for complain after drinking a generous serving on the rocks. Perfect on it's own, or mixed with coke for a great alternative to vodka, the rather lovely peeps who have spearheaded a successful campaign making The Kraken the fastest growing rum-brand in the USA have provided us with this rather lovely recipe (to be enjoyed in moderation!):

The Perfect Storm:

Mix together 50ml Kraken Black Spiced Rum with 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice, 5ml sugar syrup and 2 dashes Angostura Bitters.

Top up with ginger beer, serve over ice in a highball glass and garnish with two squeezed lime wedges.

Kraken Rum is available to buy from leading retailers including Waitrose, Asda, Tesco, Selfridges, Majestic Wine and Sainsbury's. Cheers!