Everything Midas touched turned to gold, and this cocktail is our tribute to that glow. Midas’ Touch is spicy and spirited — a warm, aromatic aged-rum drink with a slow-building heat that keeps you coming back. It is one of the most adventurous pours on our handcrafted list in Apex, North Carolina.
Gold in the glass
The base is Appleton Estate 12-Year rum, a Jamaican spirit rich with banana, oak and baking spice. We lean into that with fresh banana and a thread of saffron for a luxurious, honeyed aroma. Lime keeps it lively, cinnamon sugar rounds the edges, and a measured touch of habanero brings gentle, glowing heat.
A plantain chip garnish nods to the drink’s tropical roots and gives you something to nibble between sips. The heat is present but civilized — warming rather than punishing — so the fruit and spice stay in the spotlight.
For drinkers who like a little fire
Reach for Midas’ Touch if you love spicy margaritas, aged rum, or bold tropical flavors. It is a fantastic centerpiece cocktail for a night out with friends in the Triangle, and it stands up well to richer bar food.
Pair it with our Chicken Quesadilla Cornucopias or Vegetable Samosas — the smoky harissa aioli echoes the drink’s warm spice beautifully.
Chasing the golden balance
The trick with a spicy cocktail is restraint. Too much habanero and you lose the drink; too little and you lose the thrill. Midas’ Touch threads that needle by leaning on aged rum’s natural sweetness and the perfume of saffron, so the heat arrives late and lingers pleasantly rather than overwhelming the palate.
It is a cocktail built for adventurous drinkers who still want elegance, and it has quietly become a talking point at the bar. If you enjoy a little fire, tell your bartender — they can dial the heat up or down, and point you to other bold pours across our menu in Apex, NC.
Good to know
- Bar: Apex Aqua Vitae — Liquid Luxury & Bar
- Category: Signature Cocktails
- Where: Apex, North Carolina, in the heart of the Raleigh–Durham–Cary Triangle
- Easy to reach from: Cary, Raleigh, Morrisville and Holly Springs
- Explore or reserve: lightpink-chamois-855074.hostingersite.com/ or call 919-267-4246
- Follow along: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for new pours and events
Frequently asked questions
Is Midas’ Touch spicy?
Yes, it has a gentle habanero heat balanced by banana, saffron, lime and cinnamon sugar. It is warming rather than overwhelming.
What rum is used in Midas’ Touch?
Appleton Estate 12-Year, an aged Jamaican rum with notes of banana, oak and spice.
Where is Midas’ Touch available?
At Apex Aqua Vitae in Apex, NC, on the handcrafted signature cocktail menu.
Visit Apex Aqua Vitae — Liquid Luxury & Bar in Apex, North Carolina. Explore the full menu at lightpink-chamois-855074.hostingersite.com/ or call 919-267-4246. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Find more bold builds under Handcrafted Cocktails.
