Spiced rum is a unique type of rum that’s not quite the same run that you’ll find in something like a piña colada. This is because the run is infused with spices and can have hints of cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, nutmeg, and much more. In fact, despite its name, spiced rum can also give off subtle notes of sweetness from citrus flavors and ginger. Ultimately, it’s one of the best types of rum that you can drink if you want to add some spice to your life.
Our article helps you learn everything you need to know about spiced rum cocktails and some of the wonderful concoctions you can make with this liquor. Discover what you need to know about spiced rum, the best cocktails, and even how you can serve it. Intrigued? Read on to learn more.
Spiced Rum: What You Should Know
Spiced rum has been around for a long time, about as long as traditional rum. It’s made by popular brands you likely know about, like Captain Morgan or George Ocean. Also, it’s perceived as a classic drink that you can enjoy just about anywhere. The process of making spiced rum is similar to traditional rum, which includes the distillation of fermented sugarcane products.
What makes spiced rum unique is that other spices are then added to the rum throughout the distillation process for enhanced flavors. These spices include cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, and sometimes nutmeg. Citrus flavors can also be added to bring out the natural sweetness of the rum.
Like all types of rum, it’s a popular liquor to find while you’re hanging around the beach or on vacation. It’s not uncommon to see it used in mixed drinks or Malibu cocktails, but it’s also a popular drink to drink in shots. Typically, you won’t find people sipping spiced rum unless it’s been aged for a long time.
What Is Spiced Rum’s Flavor Profile?
Spiced rum has a bold flavor profile that makes it different from your average rum, especially because some brands add different spices to the rum. On the one hand, you’ll have spiced rum that has hints of vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, oak, and nutmeg, and on the other hand, some fruity flavors might be added. These flavor notes usually resemble citrus with hints of orange, citrus, orange peel, star anise, and allspice.
Spiced rum also has other unique flavors that can vary based on the brand. However, like traditional rum, you’ll always get hints of oak and the natural sweetness from the fermented sugarcane. Always check the label to determine the types of flavors that are in your spiced rum.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Spiced Rum?
Spiced rum doesn’t contain a lot of alcohol. In fact, it’s usually less potent than traditional rum because of the additional flavor additives. On average, a bottle of spiced rum will have an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 37.5%. Still, this does change based on the brand and proof of the liquor. For example, Captain Morgan’s 100-proof spiced rum has an ABV of 50%, while the 70-proof version only has an ABV of 35%.
Some other examples include Redleg Spiced Rum, which has an ABV of 37.5%, and Kraken Black Spiced Rum, which has an ABV of 47%. Always check the proof to get a better idea of the ABV. The higher the proof, the stronger the drink.
What Goes Well With Spiced Rum?
A lot of things go well with spiced rum because of how varied the flavor profiles can be. It goes great in cocktails, but you can also drink it alone in a glass with some ice, sugar, and garnish if you want to taste more of the rum flavors.
When it comes to mixers, focus on using drinks like soda to add some carbonation. You can try some Jamaica sodas or opt for something like Fentimans Tropical Soda. Sprite, ginger beer, and ginger ale are also good soda choices for spiced rum mixers. Soda aside, you can also mix spiced rum with fruit juices to bring out the flavor. We recommend fruit juices like orange juice, pineapple juice, or apple juice. These juices work great at bringing out the taste of any spiced rum.
When it comes to meals to pair with spiced rum, we recommend keeping it light, especially if you’re drinking it during the day. If you’re eating anything that’s island-themed, spiced rum is a good idea. Otherwise, a classic rum and coke is good enough with dinner or to unwind at night.
The Best Spiced Rum Cocktails
Spiced rum cocktails can help you change the vibe immediately with its bold flavor and island vibes, or you can turn it down a notch and unwind at night with a spiced rum and coke. Learn about the best spiced rum cocktails below.
Spiced Rum and Coke
We have to start our list off with one of the most popular rum drinks around. Just like Jack and Coke, Rum and Coke require a mixture of rum and coke in a glass with some ice. You don’t need any fancy shakers or other tools, just a glass, some ice, and your favorite spiced rum.
When it comes to the flavor, you’ll find that a spiced rum and coke is delicious, yet simple. Coke has a natural spice to it, especially if you go for Diet Coke instead of the traditional type, so getting a spiced rum can bring out this flavor even further.
To make the drink, here are a few steps you need to follow:
- Get your favorite spiced rum and coke.
- Pour the spiced rum into a glass. We recommend measuring first for the best balance.
- Pour the soda into the glass with the spiced rum.
- Stir.
Once you follow these easy steps, you can start enjoying spiced rum and coke almost immediately. Just make sure you choose the right spiced rum that goes with the flavors of the Coke. Also, Pepsi is fine as well if you’re more of a Pepsi person.
Spiced Rum Caramel Apple Cocktail
Are you looking for something on the sweeter side? That’s where the spiced rum caramel apple cocktail comes into play. It’s meant to pair with a spiced rum that leverages more traditional spices like cinnamon and vanilla instead of citrus spices like orange or citrus flavors. Therefore, make sure you get a spiced rum that contains these flavors, or your drink will be a bust.
When it comes to the flavors, a spiced rum caramel cocktail has an abundance of fall flavors, so it’s not like a traditional rum cocktail that brings you to the beach. Instead, you’ll taste subtle notes of caramel and apple cider.
As for the ingredients, you don’t need much but will need a few. You’ll need spiced rum, apple cider, caramel syrup, cinnamon powder, and a cinnamon stick, along with apple slices for a garnish.
Follow the steps below to make a spiced rum caramel apple cocktail.
- Fill a glass with a handful of ice cubes.
- Pour the caramel syrup, spiced rum, and apple cider over the ice.
- Stir the drink with a cinnamon stick to combine all of the flavors.
- Sprinkle cinnamon powder.
- Garnish the drink with a cinnamon stick or apple slice.
You can also add sugar or other sweeteners if you want a sweeter version of this famous cocktail.
Spiced Rum Mojito
The Spiced Rum Mojito is a unique version of the mojito that brings out the drink’s more potent flavors aside from the mint. Therefore, you’ll get more of a subtle taste of mint when you replace traditional rum with spiced rum in a Spiced Rum Mojito. For people who think the original mojito is lacking something, let us tell you that this drink is for you.
All you need are the same ingredients that you need for a traditional mojito, just with a different type of rum. Choose your preferred spiced rum and then gather club soda, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and ice.
From there, follow the steps below to make a Spiced Rum Mojito.
- Fill your glass with some ice cubes.
- Place the mint leaves in the glass.
- Muddle the mint leaves in the glass to bring out their oils using a wooden spoon or the back of a spoon.
- Pour your spiced rum into the glass.
- Fill the remainder of the glass with club soda.
- Stir the drink.
- Add a sprig of mint and a lime wedge to garnish the drink.
The spiced rum mojito isn’t for everyone. However, with spiced rum, at least you can alter the taste of one of these classic drinks.
How to Serve a Spiced Rum Cocktail
Spiced rum cocktails don’t usually require tools, but if you want something fancy, you might need a shaker. That said, you shouldn’t need more than a shaker and something to stir your drink with. Aside from the shaker, we recommend having those small and thin straw-like things that can stir a cocktail; they’re usually called a stir stick, swizzle stick, or cocktail stirrer at the store.
Once you have these tools, you may want something that can crush, unless you don’t mind freezing the ice in a bag and slamming it on the ground outside. Otherwise, all you need is your favorite spiced rum, some mixers, and some garnishes to get you started.
Enjoy a Spiced Rum Cocktail Today!
There’s nothing quite like the taste of spiced rum. It’s one of the few types of alcohol that’s universally known for being a beach-friendly drink, and you can almost always find it when you’re on vacation. While most people associate rum with summer and spring cocktails, spiced rum is here to bring out the fall vibes that you get from apple cider, cinnamon, and other spices.
So, if you want to impress your guests at your next Halloween party or Thanksgiving, serve them up a spiced rum caramel apple cocktail. We guarantee you that your guests will be pleasantly surprised, even if they’re not big rum drinkers.
