RUM in the summertime was never going to be a bad combination was it?

Even if Manchester isn't promised months of blistering heat, it's still cause to celebrate when the sun does shine and we can ditch the 100-denier tights for a few weeks.

Working with the team from The Violet Hour in West Didsbury, the touring rum bus will open its doors to the public from Friday 18 July until Sunday 17 August.

Add a rum cocktail to the mix and you're winning.

Appleton %2818%29The Appleton Rum Bus has been a success elsewhere and is coming to Manchester

Now all those in Manchester city centre can get into the summer mood (or ignore the weather and have a cocktail anyway) with Appleton’s Rum Bus, which will set up for weeks in the Great Northern Square.

Working with the team from The Violet Hour in West Didsbury, the touring rum bus will open its doors to the public from Friday 18 July until Sunday 17 August.

The bus will be situated outside the entrance to the Great Northern and will have an outside seating area with capacity for 80 people. The bus itself will have inside seating and a side opening bar to serve signature Appleton rum cocktails.

AppletonInside barPriced between £6 and £7, the cocktails on offer include Appleton Rum Punch, mai Tai, Jamaican Mule and Rum and Raisin. There will also be weekly specials over the four-week period. 

The Appleton Estate Rum Bus is inspired by the Jamaican Omnibus series bus, which operated in London's Kingston from 1948 until the late 70s. The rum bus tour is designed to combine Jamaican heritage and tradition and show the history behind Appleton Estate, which began making rum back in 1749.

"From the moment we saw the Appleton Estate Rum Bus we knew it would be perfect for a summer of rum," explained Dan Pollard, owner of The Violet Hour.

"The quality, attention to detail is second to none, as of course is the rum. Following the huge success of The Violet Hour in Didsbury, this is our first project in the city centre and we can't wait for everyone to get on board."

The Appleton Rum Bus will be situated in Great Northern Square and opens to the public Friday 18 July.

Opening times: 12pm-11pm Mon-Sun

Follow them on Twitter @rumsummer2014

Follow Niamh Spence on Twitter at @missnspence