Rum: A History in a Glass & a Guide to Classic Cocktails

Rum's story is deeply intertwined with the history of sugar and the Caribbean. From its humble beginnings as "Kill-Devil" to its current status as a beloved spirit, rum has lubricated every aspect of history.

History of Rum

  • Origins Although the precise origins of rum are uncertain, it is known that sugarcane was brought to the Caribbean by Columbus in 1493.
  • Early Rum Production The first report of rum comes from Englishman Richard Ligon, who described the beverage Kill-Devil.
  • Barbados & the Sugar Boom Barbados was at the center of the sugar boom, where the expression "As rich as a Barbados planter" was used to symbolize wealth. The sugar that planters cultivated made fortunes for more than one Englishman.
  • Rum and the Slave Trade For over three centuries, rum fueled the trans-Atlantic slave trade and was exchanged for human cargo in Western and Central Africa.
  • Naval Connections Rum was a staple for sailors, with the British Navy issuing daily rations. Admiral Edward Vernon diluted the rum ration with water, lime, and sugar, creating "grog," a drink that remained a naval tradition until 1970.
  • Prohibition & the Rise of Caribbean Cocktails During the Prohibition era in the United States, "Rum Row" emerged as a hub for smuggling rum from the Caribbean. This era also saw the cocktail culture spread to the Caribbean, where Americans revelled in tropical warmth and flowing rum.
  • Post-Prohibition After Prohibition ended in 1933, rum re-emerged on bar shelves in the United States, lighter and smoother than before.
  • Tourism & Migration The rise in tourism and Caribbean migration to the United States has led to the introduction of new Caribbean rums and the rediscovery of older ones.

Types of Rum

There are two main types of rum:

  • Molasses-based Rum This is the most common type of rum, originating from countries such as Jamaica, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.
    • British-style rums from Jamaica are hearty, while those from Barbados are smooth.
    • Spanish-style rums from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are made for mixing.
  • Sugarcane Juice-based Rum This style, primarily from French-speaking islands, is known as rhum agricole. It often has a winey nose and is aged in oak, resulting in a taste similar to fine cognac.

Classic Rum Cocktails

  • Rum Punch The name 'punch' likely comes from the Persian word 'panj' or the Hindi word 'panch,' meaning "five," referring to the drink's five original ingredients: arrack, sugar, lime juice, spice, and water.
  • ’Ti Punch A classic drink of the Creole world made with lime, rum, and sugar.
  • Daiquiri A simple cocktail of rum, lime juice, and sugar.
    • Papa Doble A variation of the daiquiri created for Hemingway, with double the rum and grapefruit juice.
    • Strawberry Daiquiri A fruit-infused daiquiri made with strawberries.
  • Mojito A Cuban cocktail with mint, lime, sugar, rum, and club soda.
  • Cuba Libre A mix of rum, lime juice, and Coca-Cola.
  • Piña Colada A blend of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice.
  • Hurricane A potent mix of dark and white rum, fruit juices, and passion fruit syrup.
  • Rum Swizzle A drink of West Indian origin that may have slave origins, prepared with a swizzle stick.
  • Rum Rickey A combination of rum, lime, and seltzer.
  • Rum Collins A rum version of the Tom Collins.
  • Mai Tai A combination of lime juice, dark Jamaican rum, amber rhum agricole, orange curaçao, simple syrup, and orgeat syrup.
  • Zombie A strong tiki drink with white, amber, and dark rums, maraschino liqueur, pineapple, lime and lemon juices, passion fruit syrup, and 151-proof dark rum.
  • Corn and Oil A Barbadian drink with rum and falernum.