Post #311320 by DemeraraDrinker on Wed, Jun 6, 2007 7:32 AM

Ahhh...Ting. I can speak to that. In the eastern Caribbean, Ting is used with a spirit called CSR or Cane Spirit Rothschild which is made on St. Kitts.

CSR is a white rum, but it has some "funky" notes to it. I mean funky in a good way. It has some Cachaca flavors to it that lend a rustic appeal to it. Musty, kind of brandy-like. It also has a fair amount of alcohol heat. I believe it is only 80 proof. It no where near as strong as Wray & Nephew Overproof. I tried it as my first drink on the island straight in a snifter. I would say it is basically made for mixing.

Anyway, on St. Kitts and neighboring islands, you drink a Ting with a Sting. That is CSR and Ting over ice. Same ratio as a gin and tonic. About 2 oz of CSR, about 3-4 oz of Ting.

It is a great drink. The CSR cuts the sweetness of the Ting in just the right amount. And the grapefruit masks the mustiness of the CSR. No garnish necessary.

Obtaining CSR is difficult. At last check, only California had it, and they were going through the process (at the ABC) of approving a new label. From personal experience, this can take half a year. I suppose you could try to substitute half Appleton White and half Cachaca for CSR, but I'm not sure that will do.

And concerning Ting, I obtained it here in Kansas City, but the quality was not great. It was 2 years beyond its expiration, made in Canada, and tasted much sweeter than the stuff down in St. Kitts. I bought a case of it--I should have gotten a six pack.