Going Tropical with Rum

When you think of tropical rum, you may envision yourself sipping a delicious beverage with a tiny umbrella on a sandy beach while soaking up the sun. This isn’t by coincidence. While it is produced all over the world today, this sweet liquor can be traced back to the Caribbean and South America. At Joe Canal’s in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, we supply customers with a wide selection of rum that is perfect for preparing a variety of beverages. Here, we discuss the qualities of rum and the cocktails you can create.

How Rum is Made

Rum can be distinguished from other types of liquors by the use of sugar cane. This ingredient is what gives rum its satisfyingly sweet flavor. Rum is typically made by fermenting sugar cane juice or processing the juice into molasses and fermenting it. Once the fermentation process is complete, the results are ready to be distilled and aged.

The container used to house aging rum can determine the color or flavor of the liquor. For example, if distillers choose to age their rum in old bourbon barrels because they can no longer be used in production, you may notice a hint of whiskey within the flavor profile.

Different Types of Rum

Because rum can be made in several ways, there are different styles of rum to choose from. Each style has unique characteristics and qualities that make this spirit great for different drinks. Types of rum include:

• White rum: This common style of rum is very subtle and typically is briefly aged in stainless-steel tanks. This is what gives it a light and clean flavor. It's excellent for cocktails, such as spiked lemonades, mixed-berry sangrias, and pina coladas.
• Gold rum: Often aged in oak casks, this type of rum features smooth, dark characteristics. What makes this rum unique is the addition of caramel to the recipe. Enjoy drinks like the Passion Fruit Zombie and blood orange cocktails with this style of rum.
• Dark rum: This heavy-bodied rum is typically charred in oak casks, which is what gives it a rich flavor. Mai Tais, Rum Punch, and Bahama Mamas are some of the tasty cocktails that can be made using dark rum.
• Aged rum: Much like gold rum in color and body, aged rum differentiates itself by not containing any additives. How aged rum receives its color and flavor is through the amount of time it is in contact with wood during the aging process. Although aged rum often is enjoyed on its own, this style of rum can make great-tasting cocktails, such as a Hurricane or Rum and Tonic.

Shop for Rum at Joe Canal’s

You don’t need to be on a sandy beach to enjoy a rum-filled cocktail — bring the beach to you by making these and other great-tasting drinks using our selection of tropical rum at Joe Canal’s in Lawrenceville, NJ. We carry rum from top brands like Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Malibu, and others. For more information about our selection, contact us today.