Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Miss Don Papa Rum’s Bar Takeovers

Chilling is an art form that is unique to each person. For us, there’s no better way to kick off a weekend than to head over to a small, non-descript bar and drink an expertly-crafted cocktail made with our favorite liquors. A little too on the nose? That’s because this is exactly how we decided to welcome in the weekend – sampling Don Papa Rum’s cocktails at their bar takeover at The Curator in Makati City.

First off, the venue is no stranger to those paying attention to Asia’s 50 Best Bars. In fact, The Curator (#33 in the prestigious list) is the number one bar in the Philippines. And Don Papa Rum decided to bring in more big guns: Trisha “Taco” Leong hails from Night Hawk (#16), a bar located in Singapore, while Audrey Gustilo is the rum’s very own Brand Ambassador. Representing home team, Dan Santos is The Curator’s Senior Bartender, completing the trio of “Tres Papas.”

Dubbed “Tres Papas: Panghimagas,” the event celebrates the golden spirit that stems from the foothills of Mt. Kanlaon. It was a journey through innovative cocktails that showcased the versatility of this proudly Filipino rum and the professional technique of the three bartenders who took over for the night. Believe us, we were schooled on the finer points of this liquor we thought we were already familiar with. Turns out, we still have a lot to learn.

Luckily for us, each bartender offered two signature cocktails that embodied the “Panghimagas (Refreshment)” theme while also highlighting the various facets of the night’s main star – the Don, Don Papa Rum. Now, imagine that being said with a James Bond swagger because this was our ridiculous level of confidence going in: “Six drinks? Challenge accepted,” I believe these were our exact words. Fortunately, the night was far from a “disaster.” It was the complete opposite as guests were treated to six carefully concocted drinks that made us rethink what we thought we knew about the local rum brand.

But enough suspense, let’s get into the curated creations. First off, Trisha or “Taco” presented an oldie but goodie: “Papa’s Old Fashioned.” And before you roll your eyes thinking “Another old fashioned?” Hold your horses, because this isn’t your lolo’s favorite drink. Taco’s version combines brown butter-washed Don Papa Rum with Fino Sherry, Angostura Bitters, Hazelnut, and Vanilla Burnt Sugar.

Based on the ingredients alone, we could tell Taco had created something that would subvert our expectations. First, the brown butter-washed rum had a silky smoothness you wouldn’t expect with this cocktail. While it still had that familiar bite, the technique mellowed down the rum just enough to make you forget you’re drinking something that could very well knock you out.

Taco’s second cocktail, however, the “Ube Rum-os,” had us double-checking our calendars. Is it Christmas already? The purple drink is essentially Ube Biko (sticky rice) with latik (toasted coconut milk curds) and cheese…in a glass. Combining Don Papa Masskara, elderflower, ube, cream, lime, lemon, egg white, and soda, the “Ube Rum-os” captured the dessert’s essence without sending us into a sugar coma. It’s sweet and creamy, sure, but in a whimsical and sophisticated way.

Next up was the home representative: Dan Santos, The Curator’s Senior Bartender. His offerings – “Kiddo’s Cooler” and “Cream of the Crop,” – were blockbuster hits; so good that they ran out before we could get our hands on them! Believe us, we were just as bummed to find out. It’s like when you spend hours online shopping for a specific pair of shoes, only to find out they’re no longer available in your size and preferred color.

But if the empty glasses all over the bar told us anything, it was how awesome Dan’s drinks were. The “Kiddo’s Cooler” combined rum with Averna, lemon, and pandan, while “Cream of the Crop” mixed Don Papa Rum Masskara with bourbon, corn, and house Chartreuse. It was a shame we missed them at the bar takeover, but if the demand is any indication, then we might see these drinks on The Curator’s regular menu soon- our fingers and taste buds are crossed!

Last but certainly not least, Audrey served a drink that particularly took us by surprise: the “Ube Macapuno Lowball.” Unassuming in terms of appearance, we didn’t know what to expect when we took our first sip. Lo and behold, we discovered our favorite drink of the evening! This cocktail is like that quiet kid in class who suddenly stood out in the school-wide competition with their wicked talent.

The “Ube Macapuno Lowball” transported us to our family home on a Sunday afternoon, sneaking a bite of the ube macapuno that is supposed to be saved for the family dinner later. The coconut oil-washed Don Papa Rum added a layer of complexity that left us speechless – cocktail-crafting is a skill, people. I mean, who else can think of this specific treatment for the rum while adding ube, soda, and Angostura bitters to balance out the flavor profile?

Audrey’s second drink for the night, the “Sweet Treat,” had us scratching our heads at first. Looking at the menu, the drink combined Don Papa Masskara (which is already quite sweet on its own) with yema ganache, agave, and cinnamon. We were ready for the incoming sugar rush. Oh but we were wrong because – plot twist – all that sweetness actually highlighted the dark, complex notes of the rum. “Sweet Treat” is like your favorite sitcom’s 5th season where it’s still sweet and funny, but they start exploring more serious themes and storylines. And we love it nonetheless.

At the end of the night, we were once again humbled by the talent of mixologists. They can take a liquor that you’ve tasted dozens of times before and present you with a drink that makes it feel brand new again.

If we were to choose our favorites (of course, it wouldn’t be 100% fair because we didn’t get to try Dan’s drinks), but in any case, the “Ube Macapuno Lowball” and the “Ube Rum-os” stole our hearts. And to think we’re not huge fans of ube – yes, okay, put down the pitchforks, folks. Anyway, days later, we were still dreaming about those cocktails, hoping we could recreate them ourselves. We know we can’t though, so I guess we’ll just wait for Don Papa Rum’s next bar takeover.

Fortunately, we won't have to wait long! Don Papa Rum is hosting its next bar takeover at OTO, entitled "Tres Doñas: Panghimagas" this Sept. 11. Don Papa Rum's Audrey Gustilo will join the guest shift once again, along with Tamaryn Cooper of 28 HongKong Street and OTO's Senior Bartender Alex Javier.

Before you mark your calendars, don't forget to add this! On Oct. 2, their third Tres Papas event will be held at the Grasshopper in Makati City, together with Singapore's Elephant Room (Asia's 65th Best Bar).

To stay updated on their events and happenings, check out their website or follow Don Papa Rum on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Formerly Twitter).

Location: The Curator, 134 Legazpi St. cor. C. Palanca St., Legazpi Village, Makati City

Location: OTO, 5883 Enriquez St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City

Location: The Grasshopper, OPL Building, C. Palanca St., Legazpi Village, Makati City