Doc Ford’s raffles home rum bar set for National Rum Day

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is stocking the bar with an exclusive raffle in honor of National Rum Day, Sunday, Aug. 16. Customers who purchase the restaurant’s featured Doc’s Coco XO Mojito rum cocktail, created for the celebration, or a rum flight receive a raffle ticket to win a basket filled with a bottle of Mount Gay’s XO rum, a home bar cocktail smoker, four rocks glasses, a glass pitcher, muddling stick and infuser, all courtesy of Mount Gay Rum. The raffle is offered at Doc Ford’s locations in Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and St. Petersburg.
“Mount Gay is partnering with us this year and has really stepped up to offer a complete home rum bar,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, which manages Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. “Raffle prize winners will really appreciate the set-up. They can create their own smoked rums and flavor-infused rums right at home. The prize is quite the conversation starter.”
Founded on the premise of introducing customers to a variety of premium rums and rum-based cocktails – as its name implies – Doc Ford’s offers sippable aged rums from the Caribbean and South America. Rum flights include three shots.
Customers visiting the restaurants on National Rum Day receive a raffle ticket for each Doc’s Coco XO Mojito and rum flight they order. Winners for each location will be announced Monday, Aug. 17.
Highlighting Mount Gay’s XO rum, Doc’s Coco XO Mojito combines the smooth, oak-aged character of the rum with fresh lime, mint and a touch of simple syrup, finished with creamy Coco Lopez and topped with sparkling soda. The result is a refreshing tropical twist on the classic mojito, balancing bright citrus, cool mint and rich coconut flavors. It pairs well with Doc Ford’s Caribbean Rim-inspired cuisine and signature Yucatán shrimp, hailed by The New York Times as a “vacation on a plate.”
The award-winning, family friendly restaurant features food with a unique balance of flavors and is known for its sauces, spices and passion.
Beloved by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant delivering a legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Established on Sanibel in 2003, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille has expanded from its original location to Fort Myers Beach and the St. Petersburg Pier. The restaurant is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The pier location was named the country’s No. 1 restaurant for Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.
Philanthropy and community outreach are engrained in HM Restaurant Group’s company philosophy. Proceeds from specialty cocktails at Doc Ford’s have raised over $140,000 for children’s hospitals in Southwest Florida and St. Petersburg. HM Restaurant Group also supports local nonprofits dedicated to conservation, community, education and the environment. The “Ding” Darling Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, founded in 2012, has donated over $2 million for conservation and water-quality research at Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The 15th annual tournament is May 7, 2027.