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We love rum! These are the 5 we’re mixing into our winter cocktails

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 01 Jun 2023

By
Emily Reed

Whether you’re manifesting a tropical island holiday or looking for a winter warmer, rum is the spirit for all your cocktails right now.

What comes to mind when you think of rum? Is it a swashbuckling pirate chanting ‘Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!’ a la Captain Jack Sparrow? Maybe it’s something about liking Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain – although we don’t know anyone who’s going out of their way to stand around in the rain. But, we digress. Traditionally, rum conjures the image of sipping a refreshing cocktail (most likely out of a coconut) while on a tropical island holiday, but this is a spirit that’s super versatile and can be enjoyed all year round. We’re big fans of rum in winter because not only does it transport you to a warmer place when that heater isn’t doing the job, but it also makes for some pretty tasty cocktails regardless of the season.
image of drink glass
The 411 on rum Rum is a distilled spirit made from a fermented sugar or refined-sugar base. Its alcoholic content can range from 20% ABV all the way up to 75.5% ABV, depending on the style of the rum. Given the common denominator for all rum producers is that it’s made from sugar-based products (think molasses or sugarcane), it’s mostly made in countries that grow sugar cane like Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica and Venezuela. However, many types of rum are now made in more than half the world's countries.

The beauty of this tasty spirit is its versatility. When it comes to the most popular types, you’ve got light rum, which is aged in oak barrels and then filtered to remove the colour; gold rum, which has a caramel colour and a medium-bodied finish; dark rum, which can be aged for many years to develop its intense flavour; and spiced rum, which is flavoured with, you guessed it, spices like cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. There’s also a Brazilian rum known as cachaça that differs from others because it can only use sugarcane grown in Brazil; it’s distilled to a lower alcohol level than traditional rum.
Our favourite rums (and ways to enjoy them)The mixability of rum is off the charts – its sweet taste makes it a versatile mixer and a no-brainer in many cocktails. Some of the best-known rum cocktails include the Dark ‘N’ Stormy, Mojito and Rum Old Fashioned, and there’s plenty more where they came from below.

1. The aged rum

Let’s kick it off with Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum: this stuff is aged for up to 12 years and opens up with aromas of orange peel, toffee and licorice. It’s smooth on the palate and follows with notes of toffee fudge (reads like a dessert, doesn’t it?). Our cocktail pick for this is a Mai Tai: best enjoyed out of a wooden mug in your backyard tiki bar wearing a Hawaiian shirt that makes your eyes water. Fun fact – the Mai Tai was so popular during the 1950s and 1960s that it led to a worldwide rum shortage. The horror!
Image of Diplomatico rum

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image of Plantation stiggnis pineapple rum

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2. The tropical rum

Up next is a rich and delicious rum from Plantation: Stiggins Fancy Pineapple Rum. It’s accented by smoky notes and tropical fruit aromas like pineapple, citrus peel and a hint of clove. This one would go down a treat in an Old Cuban thanks to its tropical twist; the recipe includes brut Champagne, which adds a nice lift of bubbles when the winter blues are getting you down.

 

3. The winter rumOur next rum is less laying on a banana lounge and more roasting marshmallows on the fire in the heart of winter. Introducing Bundaberg Winter Series Campfire Rum (and yes, it’s less your uncle’s Bundy and coke and more sophisticated sipper, too). This is a dark Bundaberg Rum with burnt caramel and butterscotch flavours balanced by a nutty smoothness that comes from fire-toasted macadamias. Best enjoyed on a chilly winter night when you can see your breath in the air. Did someone say Christmas in July cocktail? Get your eggnog on.

4. The spiced rum

Over to Rum Co. of Fiji Ratu 5 Year Old Spiced Rum: a considered spirit with a toffee-vanilla richness, aged in charred oak barrels, then filtered through coconut shell carbon. Tasty! Rum Co. even uses sugar cane that’s grown in Fiji’s ancient volcanic soil and warm climate before it’s hand-cut by thousands of independent Fijian farmers. Let this rum really shine in a Cable Car cocktail – spiced rum is a darling in cocktails. This has a fun cinnamon sugar rim and features elements that both contrast and complement each other. The spiced rum mingles with lemon juice and orange curaçao for a sour, yet subtly sweet and tasty drink that's great all year round.
The Ratu Spiced Rum from Fiji

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image of Bacardi Raspberry rum

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5. The fruity rum

Bacardi Raspberry is our final favourite of the moment – a crisp blend of white rum with sweet and tangy raspberry flavours. A little fruity, a lot of fun and a welcome inclusion in a Watermelon Mojito because everyone knows raspberry and watermelon are an elite fruit pairing. This is a rum that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet still has a worthy spot on your bar cart alongside the fancy stuff.

 

Want more rum-based cocktail inspiration? Check out our recipes here.
Shop related products
DiplomáticoReserva Exclusiva Rum 700mL
Reserva Exclusiva Rum 700mL
Member Offer
$90 per bottle Non-Member: $95.99 each
 
PlantationStiggins Fancy Pineapple Rum 700mL
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Stiggins Fancy Pineapple Rum 700mL
$86.99 each
 
BundabergWinter Series Campfire Rum 700mL
Winter Series Campfire Rum 700mL
$59.99 each
 
Rum Co. of Fiji5 Year Old Spiced Premium 700mL
5 Year Old Spiced Premium 700mL
$73.99 each
 
BacardiRaspberry 700mL
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Raspberry 700mL
$57.99 each
 
image credits: Shelley Horan (photography), Bridget Wald (styling).
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
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Hit ListRumCocktailsSpirits
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