Beverage director Demi Natoli drew on her childhood memories of homemade rice pudding for the Arroz Con Leche. It’s an inspired homage, with incredible richness from the sweetened condensed milk and the whole egg. Dry sherry (Natoli calls for Lustau Amontillado) and overproof rum (Planteray O.F.T.D) keep it from being overly unctuous, finishing out each the sweet sip with a bit of acidity and heat. Choose a smooth, sweet aged rum, like the Real McCoy 5 Year Natoli used, rather than something distractingly funky, like Jamaican rum.
Natoli garnishes hers with a little bit of rice krispy treat to simulate the crispy burned bits at the bottom of the pot – but if you don’t have any on hand, a dusting of cinnamon is just as nice.
