Guide Note

A distilled beverage that originated in its modern form in the Caribbean, rum distinguishes itself from other hard liquors through the use of sugarcane and molasses during the fermentation process.

Fast Facts

1. Fermented from sugarcane by-products
2. Caribbean is largest area of production
3. May have been first distilled on Barbados in 17th century
4. Spiced Rum: Contain added spices and often caramel
5. Gold Rums: Aged in wooden barrels
6. Rum was part of the prominent Triangular Trade of the 1700s

Rum has a heavy association with the colonial Americas and naval piracy. In the time of Jack Sparrow, all rums were of a heavy and dark variety, considered a drink of the transient and poor. It was not until the late 1800s until processes were created to distill a light rum. The first one of these became Bacardi, founded in 1862.

Because of its sweet and often spicy disposition, rum is one of the most popular liquors to use in tropical-themed drinks. The Pina Colada and Mai Tai are both rum-based drinks. From the 1980s through modern times, Mojitos have gained in popularity to become one of the most prominent club drinks. The mojito was developed in Cuba, and is primarily made from rum, tonic water, lime, garnished with mint.