Our blogs posts regularly focus on the history of some of our most-loved classic cocktails, but the...
Get to Know Your Rum
Jump to
The basis of so many incredible cocktails, rum has a long history with links to pirates and brave naval warriors, making it one of the coolest spirits around! It was actually created in the middle ages by slaves working on plantations in the West Indies, who discovered that sugar by-products could be fermented and then distilled to give a sweet, alcoholic liquid. Not all rums are equal, however, and manufacturing has come a long way since then. So, which rum is right for you?!
White Rum
Clear in colour and mild in flavour, white rums make a great base for cocktails such as daiquiris, pina coladas and mojitos. White rums tend to be aged for around a year and are cheaper to produce than other varieties. Popular examples include Bacardi Superior and Mount Gay Silver.
Gold Rum
After being aged for a few years, rum turns a glorious honey colour, which then becomes known as gold rum. All rum is aged in barrels, which add flavour and depth to the liquid. Depending on the barrel used, gold rum may have notes of caramel, vanilla or coconut and it is this flavour that makes for its unique profile. Ideal for use in a Zombie or Mai Tai, popular brands include Abuelo and Appleton Special.
Dark Rum
The term 'dark rum' actually applies to all rums that are not white. So it covers a wide variety of liquids that have all been aged for long enough that they change colour.
Black Rum
Of course, the darker the rum, the longer it has been aged, and black rums have been afforded the longest time inside their barrels. These are the most flavoursome rums and tend to be enjoyed neat rather than in a cocktail due to their overpowering taste. The barrels are often fired to impart a smoky tone to the liquid. Look for Coruba or Cruzan Black Strap for some popular brands.
Navy Rum
Named for its popularity in the Royal Navy who would provide a daily ration to its sailors prior to the 1600s, navy rum is actually a blend of rums from different British colonies. Enjoy Lamb’s Navy Rum or Pusser’s for great examples of this rich and interesting variety.
Aged Rum
As the name suggests, these rums have spent the longest in their barrels, making for a more expensive production as the cost of storage and inevitable evaporation adds up. These rums have the greatest depth of flavour and richness of colour and should be sipped for the ultimate pleasure! Gosling’s Family Reserve and Matusalem Gran Reserva are two wonderful examples.
Pardon the interruption
Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.
Cachaça
Made of Brazillian sugar cane, Cachaça spends very little time in barrels to ensure the purest version of this rum. It is mostly produced in stainless steel stills and is an excellent cocktail rum, used for the Caipirinha in particular. We love Cachaça 51 and Cuca Fresca.
Spiced Rum
These popular spirits are flavoured after ageing using a variety of spice seeds and roots to create a unique result. An interesting addition to cocktails, this is one best enjoyed with a straight mixer, to allow the different tastes to mingle and complement each other. Look for Captain Morgans and Sailor Jerry for your spiced rum hit!
There are lots of other rum examples, but these are some of the most well known. Since rum is one of the few spirits that doesn't need to be crafted in a certain place in the world, it is also one of the most diverse. To try every single version would certainly be a challenge, but it is one we gladly accept!
More to explore
No brunch is complete without a Mimosa or two alongside your eggs benedict and smoked salmon. It's a...
Made with cachaça—the sweeter, more refined cousin of dark rum—the Caipirinha (Kai-Pur-reen-Ya) has...
Bartender's top tip
Related posts
Who Invented the Sidecar Cocktail?
An irresistible combination of cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice, the Sidecar has been a classic cocktail at the top of every good mixologist’s repertoire since the end of the First World War. So wh... read more
History of the Kir Royale Cocktail
If there is a classier, more elegant classic cocktail on offer, then we are yet to discover it. The Kir Royale is the ultimate champagne cocktail – simple, sleek, and sophisticated. The best thing abo... read more
The History of the Bellini
There is something quite fancy and decadent about the Bellini. It feels a little bit more special than your standard classic cocktail and takes the edge off a dry glass of Prosecco. Fruity, yet fizzy,... read more
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get tips straight into your inbox.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Create your own cocktail menu!
Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.
Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.
Get creating