What is spiced rum and how is it made?
Spiced rum is rum that has been flavored with spices and other flavorings, often vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, and sometimes sweetened. In the US, rum must be distilled from sugar cane products and bottled at 40 percent ABV or more; flavored spirits can be bottled at 30 percent ABV or more.
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In this article
What is spiced rum?
Spiced rum is rum with spices and flavorings added. Common notes are vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and orange peel, though each brand uses its own mix and does not always publish it. Many are amber or dark, and many taste sweeter than plain rum.
How is spiced rum made?
The base is rum, made by fermenting and distilling sugar cane juice, syrup or molasses. Spices, botanicals or natural flavors are then added to the rum, by steeping them in it or blending in flavor extracts. Some producers also add sugar or caramel coloring; recipes differ, so the label and the maker’s website are the places to check. We found no official rule that sets how much spice must be used.
What do the US rules say?
Rum must be distilled from the fermented juice of sugar cane, sugar cane syrup, molasses or other sugar cane by-products, and bottled at not less than 40 percent ABV (80 proof). A rum with flavors added is treated as a flavored spirit under 27 CFR 5.151. That rule allows flavoring materials, with or without added sugar, requires a name based on the base spirit plus the predominant flavors, and sets a minimum of 30 percent ABV. So a spiced rum can legally be a little weaker than plain rum.
How strong is it?
It varies by brand, so read the label. Plain rum must be at least 40 percent ABV and a flavored spirit at least 30 percent. One standard US drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol (NIAAA).
How do you drink spiced rum?
- With cola or ginger beer over ice, with a lime wedge.
- With apple cider served warm in cooler months.
- Neat or on the rocks if you like it sweet.
- In cooking: in baking, sauces and desserts.
Spiced rum vs dark rum
Dark rum gets its color mostly from aging or caramel and has no added spice requirement. Spiced rum is defined by added flavors. The two are not the same, although many spiced rums use a dark rum base.
People also ask
What is spiced rum made of?
Rum plus spices and natural flavorings such as vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. The exact mix depends on the brand.
Is spiced rum the same as dark rum?
No. Dark rum is defined by color and aging; spiced rum is rum with added flavors. Many spiced rums use a dark rum base.
How much alcohol is in spiced rum?
It varies by brand, so check the label. US law sets 30 percent as the minimum for flavored spirits and 40 percent for plain rum.
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