The Rum Diaries
From the history to the most popular cocktails made with the spirit
From the LifeMinute.TV Team
August 16, 2021
August 16th is National Rum Day. Here are some fun facts you might not have known about the spirit.
Rum is the oldest commercially produced spirit. The first rum distillation took place in the Caribbean in the 1620s. Rum is considered the first alcohol that was drunk for pleasure, not for medicinal purposes.
Rum is made from sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice through the process of fermentation and distillation. The clear liquid produced is then aged.
The color of rum depends on how long it is aged and where it is aged. The shorter the aging process, the clearer the rum. Clear rum may be aged in stainless steel tanks, or it can make its way into barrels, while darker rums are kept longer in barrels. Oak barrels produce a golden rum, whereas a charred oak barrel will make for a dark rum.
Rum has a history of being added to drinks that help cure ailments. Scurvy was a huge threat to sailors during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. By the early to mid 18th century, British Royal Navy sailors were mixing lime juice which contains vitamin C, with their rations of rum as a drink to help prevent scurvy. Rum has antimicrobial properties, so it may help fight off a cough or cold too.
Yo Ho Ho And a Bottle of Rum! The Caribbean was a huge port for rum as well as a hotbed for pirates. When taking ships, pirates could acquire barrels of rum. The spirit was also a staple on pirate ships. However, they would often over imbibe.
Casa BACARDÍ, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the largest rum distillery producing 100,000 liters a day.
Rums go best with sugary mixers, making them versatile for summer and winter. Just be careful of the sugar content and high alcohol content since rum can cause a bad hangover.
Despite being made from sugar, a shot of rum contains about 97 calories and no carbs, fat, cholesterol, or sodium.
Classic cocktails made with rum include Daiquiri, Mojito, Piña Colada, Rum Runner, Bahama Breeze, Mai Tai, Painkiller, Dark ‘n Stormy, and hot buttered rum.