Rum Around the World
Rum has traveled the globe, taking on the flavors, customs, and spirit of every place it calls home. From bold, funky island pours to refined, elegant sips, here’s how different cultures craft and enjoy this sugarcane icon. As we celebrate World Rum Day, let’s explore the mark rum has made across diverse cultures far and wide. After all, no matter how different our traditions may be, we can all come together over one drink.
- Jamaica: Funky & Fearless
Jamaican rum is famous for its bold, pot-still character — rich with overripe fruit, molasses, and wild fermentation funk known as "hogo." Whether enjoyed neat by the locals or mixed into bright punches and Tiki classics, Jamaican rum doesn’t shy away from big flavors. The signature rum punch (lime, sugar, rum, and water) is a fixture at beach parties, where food, music, and community flow as freely as the drink.
- Cuba: Light, Crisp, & Iconic
In Cuba, rum is all about balance and refreshment. Distilled in column stills for clarity and lightness, Cuban rums are the backbone of cocktail legends like the Mojito, Cuba Libre, and Hemingway Daiquiri. Locals savor these classics in open-air cafés and vibrant streets, where the art of simplicity shines: bright citrus, clean rum, and just enough sweetness to cool the Havana heat.
- Martinique: Grassy & Refined
Martinique’s Rhum Agricole is a world apart — crafted from fresh sugarcane juice and protected by France’s AOC regulations. Earthy, grassy, and expressive of the island’s terroir, it’s often enjoyed in a Ti’ Punch, a minimalist ritual of stirring rum, lime, and cane syrup to personal taste. This style invites slow appreciation, whether on a sunny terrace or at a rustic sugarcane plantation.
- Philippines: Sweet, Smooth, & Social
Rum in the Philippines is built for sharing. Molasses-based and mellow, it’s made approachable by brands like Tanduay, a staple in homes and gatherings. Whether poured over ice, mixed simply with cola, or enjoyed during lively karaoke nights, rum drinking here is less about complexity and more about connection — where every bottle turns into a social moment.
- India: Rich, Warming, & Legendary
India’s love affair with rum is embodied by Old Monk, a dark, vanilla-scented spirit with decades of loyal fans. Here, rum is comfort — poured neat by a winter bonfire or spiked into hot chai for a spiced, warming treat. Whether sipped in bustling cities or snowy hill stations, Indian rum is both nostalgic and bold, wrapped in layers of molasses and oak.
- Brazil: Tropical & Underrated
Though Brazil is best known for cachaça, it also crafts rum, typically light and fruity, suited for tropical mixes. You'll find it blended with coconut water, passionfruit, or served in easy-drinking batidas on coastal beaches. Brazilian rum reflects the country’s playful spirit — refreshing, vibrant, and always ready for a celebration.
- USA: Crafty & Creative
The U.S. rum scene is a melting pot of experimentation, from craft distilleries aging single-origin rums to the Tiki revival that gave us flaming volcano bowls and Mai Tais. American bartenders reimagine rum beyond its tropical roots — crafting Rum Old Fashioneds, spiced hot toddies, and seasonal infusions. Here, rum is a playground for creativity, blending global inspiration with local flair.