Rum is a liqueur that is distilled from sugar cane juice or a by-product of its processing, molasses. The aging process takes place in steel, oak or "charred" oak barrels (treated with fire) to create respectively light rums, golden rums and dark rums. Generally native to Central and South America, rum is a very versatile liqueur that can be drunk on its own or used to make a wide variety of cocktails. Learn about some methods of serving him by reading this article.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Rum to Make Cocktails
Step 1. Try a simple mixed drink
Mix the rum with a single other drink, for example Coca-Cola. This is an easy way to enjoy rum of any quality. Potentially, you will be able to order this drink at any bar.
- To test the classic "Rum & Cola" add the desired amount of Coca-Cola to about 60ml of light or dark rum. Serve the drink on ice.
- Try a spicy recipe called Dark'n'Stormy by pouring dark rum (traditionally Gosling's Blackseal) into a glass containing ice and ginger beer (a low-alcohol drink based on ginger root extract). Slowly pour the rum over the back of a spoon to create the "hazy" effect indicated by the name of the drink. Top with a lime wedge before serving.
Step 2. Make a mojito
It is a classic rum-based cocktail. To make this refreshing drink, you'll need light rum, mint leaves, lime, sugar and sparkling water.
- Add several wedges of lime and mint leaves to the bottom of a glass, then pound them to release all their aromas. Add ice and 60ml of light rum. Fill the glass with sparkling water, then sugar to taste.
- If you wish, you can vary the mojito recipe by adding fresh fruit, such as strawberries or pineapple. If you don't have fresh fruit, you can also try using a juice.
Step 3. Get a taste of the Caribbean by making a daiquiri
Blend a light rum with freshly squeezed lime juice and sugar syrup (you can make this by boiling the sugar in water to get the consistency of a syrup). Traditionally this drink is also prepared in different fruity variations: it will be enough to add the desired fruit juice to the basic ingredients.
- Make the basic recipe with 60ml light rum, 20-25ml freshly squeezed lime juice and 7ml sweetened fruit syrup (e.g. banana, strawberry, pineapple etc.).
- Prepare a daiquiri "on the rocks" (with ice) or in the classic "frozen" version (smoothed in a blender).
- For a classic presentation, rim the rim of the glass with brown sugar, then add a wedge of lime or the fruit that characterizes the aroma of your daiquiri.
Step 4. Make a more complex drink:
the Mai Tai. You will need some more sophisticated ingredients to pair with the rum. To prepare this refreshing cocktail you will need to use the barley, a milky white syrup with an almond flavor and the curaçao, a liqueur made from the peel of bitter oranges.
- Pour the ice into the glass, then add 60ml of dark rum with 20-25ml of lime juice, 7ml of sugar syrup, 7ml of curaçao and 7ml of orgeat syrup. Top with a wedge of lime and mint leaves.
- If you do not have the suggested ingredients, you can replace the barley with a common almond syrup and the curaçao with the triple sec.
Method 2 of 3: Taste the Rum on Its Own
Step 1. Buy good quality rum
Choose a tasting rum, suitable for drinking alone, at room temperature, without the need to add other ingredients. Opt for a traditional rum made in the Bahamas or South America.
- For light rums, be sure to choose a high quality product avoiding flavored or "overproof" rums (with an alcohol content greater than 40%), such as Bacardi 151 (75.5% alcohol). Overproof rums tend to be more popular on islands in the Caribbean, where locals like very strong drinks.
- For golden rums, choose a product whose amber color is not given by the addition of artificial colors. Liquor companies are not required to list the ingredients contained in their products, but generally the more expensive rums are not artificially colored.
- For dark rums, you can ensure the best quality by opting for an expensive product. Even for spiced rums the best thing to do is to avoid the cheaper brands, which have a tendency to artificially color and flavor liquors, with the aim of making rums appear aged that are actually very young. Look for a golden or dark rum that has been infused with spices such as anise, cinnamon, pepper, or rosemary.
Step 2. Sip it slowly
Pour the rum into a small tasting glass. Warm the cup in your hands, then sip it slowly to fully enjoy the aromas.
- Smell it from a distance so as not to annoy your nose with the vapors of alcohol, then drink it in small sips to allow it to activate all the receptors of the taste buds.
- You can taste rum at room temperature or served with ice.
Step 3. Taste an agricultural rum or cachaça, both of which are made exclusively from pure sugar cane juice
They are products of higher quality than industrial rums, which derive from the distillation of molasses. More difficult to find and more valuable, they will allow you to have a special experience.
- The processing of these "pure" rums does not allow the addition of almost any ingredient other than pure sugar cane juice.
- To properly savor all its aromas, agricultural rum and cachaça must be drunk alone. Cachaça is commonly used to prepare "caipirinha", a very popular cocktail in Brazil, which is the home of this liqueur.
Method 3 of 3: Make a Hot Drink with Rum
Step 1. Make a "hot buttered rum"
Enjoy the aromas of hot rum at the base of this simple drink. In addition to butter, you can add a wide variety of spices to enrich the taste of the drink.
- Blend brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with the butter. Pour them into a cup, add 90ml rum then fill it with boiling water.
- Make an even creamier variation of this drink by replacing the water with hot milk (wholly or partially).
Step 2. Add a small amount of rum to coffee or hot chocolate
Prepare your drink as usual, using only good quality ingredients, then add 30-60ml of rum. You will get an alcoholic drink capable of giving you a boost.
- You can make the chocolate using a canned mix, or you can heat whole milk and add the rum and dark chocolate flakes (or cocoa powder).
- You can add rum to a common espresso, but also to a long coffee or even a cappuccino. Sweeten to taste with sugar or a substitute of your choice.
Step 3. Make a "hot toddy"
It is a traditional Irish drink, known for having medicinal properties, which has rum as the protagonist. Try adding honey and spices to the classic recipe.
- Pour 30 ml of spiced rum, 1 tablespoon of honey and ¼ of a lemon into a cup, then add the hot water. Stir to dissolve the honey and sweeten to taste with cinnamon sugar.
- If you prefer, you can replace the spiced rum with a golden or dark rum, as well as add the spices and decorations you like best. Orange peels are an excellent option.
