4 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Rum
August 2, 2018
What does a Piña Colada, a Daiquiri, a Mojito and a Hurricane all have in common? Why rum of course!
With International Rum Day on the 16th of August, here’s a brief history on that magnificent alcoholic partner to every tropical paradise in a cup… Rum!
1. Rum Was Created By Planation Slaves
Rum wasn’t just an object of trade for the pirates of the Caribbean franchise, it actually dates back to ancient India and China where fermented drinks were produced from sugarcane. It was first distilled in the Caribbean in the 1600s when plantation slaves discovered that molasses, juices from fruit and honeys, could be fermented into alcohol.
2. The Legend of Nelson’s Blood
The name rum is generally thought to be taken from the last syllable from the word saccharum (the Latin word for sugar). With a long history on the high-seas, other names for rum include Kill-Devil, Demon Water, Nelson’s Blood and Pirate’s Drink. The name Nelson’s Blood derives from British legend Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, whose body was preserved in a casket of rum before being shipped back to his British homeland. Legend has it that when the casket was received in England, they discovered a hole drilled into the bottom which allowed all of the sailors a drink during passage, thus, the term “Nelson’s blood” was born.
3. A Rum Complexion
So what gives rum its colour? It is in fact the maturation process that determines its colour – oaked casks give rum their dark complexion, whereas rum matured in stainless steel drums are virtually colourless. Spiced rums are usually fortified with cinnamon, rosemary, anise, absinthe, pepper or caramel and make it an ideal tipple for warmer months too!
4. Where To Find Rum
Rum can be produced anywhere in the world, but common origins you’ll see are in, or around the Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico (Bacardi houses the world’s largest rum distillery in San Juan), Bermuda, Jamaica (Jamaica’s Wray & Nephew currently owns the most expensive rum in the world) and Barbados. There’s even rum made in Madagascar, US, Europe and of course here in Australia.
Now that you know a little about the history of this magnificent spirit, here are 3 of the most delicious Tiki-Cocktails to try, available for the month of August:
Berried Treasure: Pampero Rum, De Kuyper Triple Sec, blueberries, coconut cream, egg white, pineapple juice, cranberry juice.
Rum Away: Ratu Rum, Pampero Rum, Macadamia Monin, pineapple juice, Maraschino cherry juice.
Morning Rum: Bati Rum, maple syrup, thickened cream, coffee, grated dark chocolate, toffee shard.