with rum somewhere in it, is a Bermuda tradition. We do it at weddings, wakes, Saturday night sessions, parties, and to welcome friends, in short, wherever and whenever there's an excuse to celebrate.

At the moment, Bermuda welcomes the visiting yachtsmen. Join us in toasting your safe arrival. We wish you an equally safe return.

Cheers! BERMUDA BREWS If you give your imagination free rein, you may taste in a drink of rum the exciting and romantic flavour of life on the Spanish Main three centuries ago, when rum was born. For almost that same span of time, rum has unquestionably been the national drink of Bermuda. Perhaps this is because Bermudians come from a long line of seafarers, or because rum has always been low in cost and readily available, or maybe because it is the most versatile of all liquid refreshments.

Many visitors, who would not dream of drinking rum at home, wax poetical over rum drinks in Bermuda. Probably part of the secret of the popularity of Bermuda rum drinks is the blending of various rums together, resulting in a smooth and potent mixture. As a matter of fact, it is hard to taste any rum at all in a perfectly mixed rum drink.

Another contribution to the excellence of Bermuda rum potions is the use of falernum. This is a sugar syrup with an almond essence, made from the same sugar cane as rum. Falernum is sold under various names in the United States.

Another common ingredient in Bermuda drinks is angostura bitters. A few drops of bitters are added to practically anything from pea soup to a champagne cocktail. A hint of this distinctive flavour adds a finishing touch to many drinks.

These are the rums a Bermudian buys:- BARBADOS RUM: The most generally-used rum in ordinary mixed drinks. Some is bottled in Barbados and some comes in casks and is bottled here. A medium-bodied rum, light brown in colour. Popular with the ladies because it does not have a heavy rum taste or odour.

DEMERARA RUM, commonly known as Black Rum: Heavy-bodied, dark brown in colour.

JAMAICA RUM: Similar in appearance to Barbados but with a stronger odour and flavour. Particularly good used with other rums to impart its own characteristic flavour.

BACARDI RUM: A light-bodied white rum from Cuba or Puerto Rico. Mostly used in daiquiris and Bacardi cocktails.

Here, then, are the secrets of Bermuda rum drinks. Basically they are the common drinks you will find anywhere, but try them the Bermuda way and enjoy the difference.

RUM SWIZZLE There is no set recipe for a swizzle. Every place makes a swizzle in its own way. You will find a difference in taste, colour, and even in the type of glass in which it is served. Here is a favourite version: 1 tsp. sugar 1 1 oz. lime or lemon juice 1 oz. falernum dash of angostura bitters 1 oz. Barbados rum 1 oz. Demerara rum SELECT a wide mouthed glass pitcher and put in the above ingredients. Add finely-chopped ice and churn vigorously with a swizzle stick until the pitcher begins to frost, then strain into a cocktail glass or a whisky sour glass.

(What's Cooking in Bermuda.) DARK 'N' STORMY Arguably Bermuda's favourite drink of all favourites, a Dark 'n' Stormy may seem like a relatively simple drink but Bermudians can argue for hours (usually over a Dark 'n' Stormy!) as to what are the perfect proportions of rum and ginger beer. All we can say is that the recipe below came directly from the pen of Mr. Mal Gosling whose family company produces the Black Seal rum which is essential for the drink.

Method: Pour 1 D oz of Black Seal Rum in an 8 oz. glass with ice and top up with Ginger Beer. (Bermuda's Favourite Drinks) .

COCONUT PUNCH 40 oz Black Seal Rum 40 oz. Barbados Rum 2 oz. Coconut Rum 8 oz. Brandy 6 oz. Grenadine Shot glass of Angostura Bitters 1 oz. Falernum 1 large can of pineapple juice 1 small can of orange juice Juice of 6 Bermuda lemons MIX together and chill well.

Add some ginger ale if you find the punch too strong! (Bermuda's Favourite Drinks) .

GOVERNMENT HOUSE FRUIT PUNCH Mix in a gallon bottle: 1 can frozen orange juice concentrate 1 6-oz. can grapefruit juice 1 46-oz. can pineapple juice Angostura Bitters -- approx. 1 tbsp.

Grenadine pure syrup to taste and colour (the more syrup the sweeter the taste and the deeper the colour) TO above ingredients in bottle, fill remainder with lemon flavoured soda, or ginger ale if preferred. Chill and serve over ice. (Bermuda's Favourite Drinks) .

TROPICAL STORM 1 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice 1 oz. pineapple juice 1 oz. lemon juice 1 oz. Black Seal rum 1 oz. Malibu 1 oz. Galliano 1 oz. Bermuda Gold 1 oz. Grenadine POUR all ingredients over ice in a bar mixing glass. Shake well. Use strainer and pour into a tall Collins glass. Decorate with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry with steam. Add a tall straw. (Makes one drink). (Bermuda's Favourite Drinks) .

"BERMUDA MARY'' BY THE PITCHERFULL 1 46-ounce can V-8 juice 2 tbsp. horseradish 1 tbsp. sugar 4 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce 1 cup lemon juice 2 tbsp. Outerbridge's Original Bloody Mary Fix Celery salt to taste Freshly ground pepper to taste 12 oz. (or to taste) Bermuda light rum (or vodka) Garnish: celery stalks MIX ingredients (adding rum now or with individual servings). Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with a stick of celery, which becomes a delicious and useful munchable stirrer. Yield: 8 cups. (Outerbridge's Original Sherry Peppers Sauce Cookbook)