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Mojitos are one of many drinks made with rum. They are a favorite of Brian the dog on "Family Guy."

(Peggy Turbett, The Plain Dealer)

No one knows how it started, but today -- Friday, Aug. 16 -- is National Rum Day.

OK, to be honest, a publicist out there is probably snickering as he or she clinks the ice in their glass as the thick, sugary alcohol swirls around.

But it is clear that rum is seeing a boost in popularity -- nationally as well as in Greater Cleveland.

, rum expert and author of the “101” series on drinks, says we’re in a “big resurgence” for rum.

“Rums play well in the sandbox with each other,” Haasarud told The Plain Dealer.

Haasarud, whose seventh book in the series, “101 Tropical Drinks” came out this year, explains that different styles of rum can be mixed in the same drink.

“You can’t do that with tequilas or whiskeys,” she says.

Haasarud, who has been a judge on

and whose next book in her series is “101 Shots,” applauds rum’s “really rich history.”

“It goes back to the 1700s, with sailors and pirates, and used to be one of the most prolific spirits out there. It’s very easy to make. Tequila has to come from a specific region in Mexico, for instance,” she said.

Rum’s simplicity, Haasarud added, is rooted in its main source - sugar cane. So the question is: Which rum-based drink will the Phoenix-based author opt for today?

“Mai tai,” she said. “It just gets butchered so much, but it’s really a simple drink. Silver rum and maybe a little dark Jamaican rum is good to play with in that [drink]. Fresh lime juice, simple syrup and

. The

gives it a sort of subtle nuance.”

Said Haasarud: “It’s all part of process. We’re starting to explore the different rums out there. Think of it as more of a rediscovery. Micro-distilleries in the United States are helping that.”

At least two places in Greater Cleveland are producing rum. Matt Zappernick, one of the owners of

in downtown Cleveland, says he’s still in the learning stages about rum, but he's pleased with its reception.

“The maple vanilla rum has jumped off really well; everyone seems to like that,” he said. “Flavored rums have more of an appeal than the straight rum.”

Portside sells 750-milliliter bottles of its silver rum and maple vanilla rum for $29.25 each.

Kevin Suttman – who founded

, based in Leroy Township between Chardon and Painesville - agrees about rum’s popularity.

“It’s growing every month,” said Suttman, who said Seven Brothers recently produced two batches of 250 bottles each in a month.

“Vodka is the most popular [of alcoholic styles] right now, but I think rum is kind of growing. It does very well.”

Seven Brothers sells its silver rum for about $25 and its spiced for about $28, depending on location. The distillery distributes in Greater Cleveland from the Lorain County border to the Pennsylvania line.

For his part, Suttman has warmed up to rum and has a new favorite drink.

“I was always a vodka drinker, and I never really liked spiced rum a whole lot. ... I bought ’em all, sampled ’em all. Couldn’t warm up to any of them. But since I launched my line, I use fresh vanilla beans and all the other spices are fresh, high-quality spices. In the end, spiced rum and ginger ale is my favorite addiction. It’s a simple drink.”

Superior Light Rum finished as the top selling rum in 2011 in Ohio, according to figures from the Ohio Department of Commerce. And rum has at least one celebrity on its side: Singer

is an owner of

. And there's Brian from

The heavy-drinking dog has a penchant for mojitos.

If you miss National Rum Day, keep this one in mind:

is Sunday, Aug. 25.