Sipping on a glass of chilled spiced rum on a slow, relaxing evening is one of life's greatest pleasures. The taste of these rums can bring back an instant vacation from the tropical shores of exotic islands.
Rums are a popular choice for drinking by themselves or in mixed drinks because they're versatile and easy to use. There are many different spiced rum brands, but we've narrowed it down to the best ones you'll want to keep on hand. This guide aims to offer you insight into what makes a spiced rum tremendous and how to serve it so you can enjoy every sip of this delicious liquor.
What is Spiced Rum?
Spiced rum is a category of rum that has been infused with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove to give the spirit its signature flavor. The spiced rum industry is booming, and there are more brands than ever to choose from.
The best-quality rums have been aged for years and have gone through a series of processes like filtering to remove impurities and infusing spices over time to create unique flavors and aromas.
Rum is inherently a versatile spirit, and spiced rum is no different. This is why you can serve spiced rum however you like, and the only limit is your imagination. Whether you prefer it neat, with some ice, or use it on the endless array of cocktail recipes available, you can never go wrong with it.
The Best Brands of Spiced Rum
Spiced rum is a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy alchohol. It's an excellent alternative for those who don't like whiskey or scotch and want to get their buzz on. Once you decide that you want to try spiced rum, it can be hard to know which brand is going to be the best for your palate. Here are some of the most renowned brands of spiced rum in no particular order:
Kraken Black Spiced Rum
From the black hue of the rum to the ornate squid-like bottle, this brand is dedicated to giving you a thrilling experience. They even have a creative and elaborate narrative about their rum on their website!
The Kraken is a classic spiced rum that's been around since 2010. It's got a rich, full-bodied flavor that starts with caramel, then adds a hint of cinnamon and vanilla to the finish. The full-bodied mouthfeel makes it one of the best rums for cocktails. It's a bit too strong for sipping on its own, but mellow it down with ice, and you've got yourself a treat.
- Color: Dark Brown
- Aroma: Caramel, toffee, and spices
- Taste: Caramel with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg
- Finish: A lingering spicy finish
- Sugar Content: 0%
- Alcohol Content: 40% by volume
- Best Way to Drink: Cocktail companion/ On the Rocks
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
The Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is one of the most popular spiced rum brands by far. This brand's rich history dates back to 1984 when it was first produced in the United States. Diageo, a British alcohol company, makes the Captain Morgan brand of premium spirits. It bears the name of Sir Henry Morgan, a Welsh privateer in the Caribbean in the 17th century.
It has a delightful taste with cinnamon and vanilla notes, making it an excellent choice for any occasion. It has an ABV of 35%, which means it will not burn your throat when you drink it neat or on the rocks. If you choose to mix this rum with other liquors or juices, then it will add another layer of complexity to your drink without overpowering it with sweetness or spice!
- Color: Golden Brown
- Aroma: Butterscotch with hints of orange
- Taste: Caramel, ginger, and cinnamon
- Finish: Long and smooth
- Sugar Content: Approx. 17 grams/ bottle
- Alcohol Content: 35% by volume
- Best Way to Drink: Neat/ On the Rocks
Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
The Sailor Jerry company takes pride in producing spiced rum in an old-fashioned manner, utilizing a sophisticated blend of precisely selected spices in high-proof rum for an exquisitely balanced drink. What's unique about Sailor Jerry is that it isn't shy about the number of spices used. You'll detect and appreciate them right away.
Sailor Jerry has created a rich, smooth rum after reportedly conducting extensive research on classic maritime rums. The end product is a high-proof liquor ideal for blending in your beloved cocktails, such as Mai Tais, Mojitos, and Long Island Iced Teas. Sailor Jerry carries on the long-standing custom of offering premium spiced rum as an unrivaled basis for mixed beverages.
- Color: Golden Brown
- Aroma: Vanilla and oak
- Taste: Vanilla with hints of clove and cinnamon
- Finish: Strong and lingering
- Sugar Content: More or less 50 grams per bottle
- Alcohol Content: 40% by volume
- Best Way to Drink: Cocktail companion/ On the Rocks
Bacardi Carta Fuego
This is one of the best budget brands of spiced rum you can find on the market today. It has a nice and somewhat creamy flavor that does not overpower the rum itself. The aroma is pleasant but not as strong as some other brands. This makes it easy to serve with different mixers and garnishes without worrying about overwhelming the drinker.
Bacardi Carta Fuego, or "Fire Paper" in Spanish, is an exceptional spiced rum from the famed Bacardi family. It's relatively mellow given that it's just aged for a year, but the flavor profile is unique and balanced, making it ideal for a cocktail base.
- Color: Dark brown
- Aroma: Hints of caramel and vanilla
- Taste: Buttery biscuit flavor
- Finish: Long and smooth
- Sugar Content: 0%
- Alcohol Content: 40% by volume
- Best Way to Drink: Cocktail companion/ On the Rocks
Admiral Nelson Premium Spiced Rum
Admiral Nelson Premium Spiced Rum has a nice, robust flavor that goes well with both fruit juices and colas. This budget-friendly rum has hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean, making it ideal for anyone who wants something sweet but isn't looking to spend too much on their spirits. It's also great mixed with cola or ginger beer for an easy-going afternoon cocktail.
- Color: Golden Brown
- Aroma: Strong vanilla
- Taste: Vanilla with hints of nutmeg
- Finish: Strong and lingering
- Sugar Content: 0%
- Alcohol Content: 30% by volume
- Best Way to Drink: Cocktail companion
Can You Make Your Own Spiced Rum?
The straightforward answer is yes, you can! Making your rum will cost you a fraction of the price of store-bought varieties. It's a great way to customize your rum to the exact taste you want and develop a delightful new hobby! If you dig too deep into the rabbit hole, however, it might cost you your productivity, so consider yourself warned.
Note that this guide will not teach you how to make spiced rum from scratch since that would violate laws depending on where you live. What you can do is merely take a bottle of rum and infuse it with the flavor of your choice.
The process is fun, and the result is something you can use to impress your unassuming friends at the next get-together. Heck, you can even say you made it from scratch. We won't tell!
Here are simple steps to making your own spiced rum:
1. Pick a bottle of rum.
While any kind of rum will do, there are subtle differences between rum colors that you need to know. Dark and Gold rums are aged longer in wooden barrels, making them stronger and more aggressive. White rums, on the other hand, are more neutral. For the best results, choose a rum bottle you're familiar with and already enjoy.
2. Prepare your herbs and spices
Your options are basically unlimited. So many different spices go well with rum, but if you want something simple, try cinnamon or vanilla extract. If you prefer something a little more complex, try ginger or cloves. There's also a variety of fruits you can try, like pineapples, apples, and oranges. Don't be overwhelmed, though, because there's really very little you can do to mess this up.
3. Make sure you have a good spice-to-rum ratio
If you're using fruits, it's usually a one is to one ratio. For herbs and spices, it's one part spice and four parts rum. Generally, you don't want to put too many herbs and spices in because in case it lacks flavor, you can steep it for a little longer. If you put too much, however, dialing it down would be much more complicated.
4. Mix and shake
Grab a mason jar and mix your rum and infusion. Give it a thorough shake, and you're done! Now, you just need to store it somewhere cool. Take note that the storage shelf should not in any way be receiving sunlight. Leave your rum there anywhere from one day to a couple of weeks.
When you decide it's time to serve, simply strain it using a cheesecloth and a funnel and enjoy your very own infused rum!
The Best Mixers to Pair With Spiced Rums
Spiced rum is a little bit like that friend who's always willing to go out, and you're always happy to have around. It doesn't matter what you're doing or where you are - spiced rum will always show up with a smile on its face, ready to help make your night much more fun.
The best mixers for spiced rum complement its flavors while also making it more interesting - like adding a smokiness or sweetness to your drink.
1. The Good Old Coke
Some people like to drink spiced rum straight, but if you're looking for the perfect way to spice up your rum with a mixer, look no further than Coca-Cola. That's right: Coke has a remarkable history with spiced rum. In fact, the rum and coke classic dates back to as early as 1902. It didn't take much time for people to realize that it was such a delicious drink. Coke is great for spiced rums because it goes well with the rum's vanilla and cinnamon notes.
2. Cold Brew
Cold brew is great for pairing with any spiced rum. If you're the type of person who enjoys adding all sorts of flavorings to their coffee, spiced rum might be your next exciting discovery. The sweet notes of caramelized sugar and molasses will come through much more strongly when paired with a strong coffee such as a cold brew.
3. Apple Juice
Apple juice is the perfect mixer for spiced rum because it pairs well with the spice notes in the rum, like cinnamon and nutmeg. After all, you will never find an apple pie without cinnamon. It's also a great way to add some sweetness to your drink, which can take the edge off some of the more robust flavors in the spiced rums.
4. Ginger Beer
If you're trying to find a mixer that will complement your spiced rum, look no further than ginger beer! This fizzy beverage will give your drink just the right amount of extra flavor without being overpowering.
Ginger beer is made from ginger root and sugar, but it also contains carbonation, which makes it light and refreshing. It's perfect in cocktails because it adds a little zing without being too sweet - and since it has less sugar than many other sodas on the market today, it won't leave behind any lingering sweetness.
5. Iced Tea
Iced tea is an excellent match for most spiced rums because it balances out the drink's sweetness and plays up its citrus notes. Aromatic and spicy iced teas go well with light-bodied rums, while bolder flavored teas like Earl Grey or black tea work better with heavier-bodied rums like coconut or coffee-infused varieties.
6. Lemonade
Spiced rum and lemonade go together like peanut butter and jelly! The citrusy lemonade flavor complements the rum so well while adding some tartness to the drink. There are plenty of different flavors of lemonade out there, but we think the best ones are those that taste like they've been made from fresh lemons rather than concentrate. We've found that these kinds of lemonades have a brighter, more vibrant flavor than their store-bought counterparts.
Conclusion
So there you have it - the best spiced rum brands, as well as a few suggestions on how to create the perfect spiced rum drink. It's fun to be bold and adventurous when selecting your rum, and some experimentation will show you just how delicious a spiced rum can be. The next time you're planning a party, take the time to consider your spiced rum bottle and the mixers. Cheers!