Quick 3 Ingredient Rum Cocktails To Keep It Simple
Rum has played a significant role in culture, extending beyond the bar counter and into the annals of history. It has left its mark on various aspects of society, from the tiki bars and their timeless traditions to warm moments on chilly winter nights. It has flowed through the politics and culinary traditions of nations ranging from Jamaica to Brazil. Rum also played a pivotal role in the early days of mixology, with its origins traced back to the creation of rum punches and grogs.
History Of Rum
The origins of rum can be traced back to ancient China, where early derivatives like the Malay 'rum' have been enjoyed for thousands of years. Throughout its history, all forms of rum share a common factor: they are distilled from sugarcane juice or related by-products like molasses.
Although there are records of Marco Polo consuming a 'wine of sugar' in the 1300s, the modern incarnation of rum can be attributed to Caribbean sugarcane plantations in the 1600s. As distillation techniques improved and impurities were eliminated, rum gained popularity in the 17th century. Production records indicate that it was being made in Brazil as early as the 1620s and in Barbados by the 1650s.
Starting in the Caribbean and Latin America, rum production expanded to North America later in the same century and has since spread worldwide.
Types Of Rum
When it comes to types of rum, there is a diverse range to explore. While dark rums are well-known, especially for their association with the Navy, other popular options today include light and golden (or amber) varieties, which are ideal for mixing cocktails. Additionally, there are fruit-flavoured rums, such as coconut, mango, and banana, as well as spiced and overproof rums. It's worth noting that overproof rums are quite potent, so they should be consumed in moderation.
3-Ingredient Rum Cocktails To Try
1. Daiquiri
The term "Daiquiri" not only refers to the famous cocktail but also holds significance as the name of a beach and an iron mine situated near Santiago de Cuba. The word itself originates from the Taíno language. As history suggests, this cocktail was first made by an American mining engineer by the name of Jennings Cox. Cox found himself in Cuba during the period when Cuba was under the rule of the Spanish Captaincy-General government, coinciding with the time of the Spanish–American War. Today it’s a classic bar staple and an easy fix with a delicious end.
Ingredients:
- 59 ml rum
- 15 ml simple syrup
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
Directions:
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a coupe glass, serving it straight up.
2. Piña Colada
The origin of the piña colada can be traced back to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where it was skillfully crafted by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero at the Caribe Hilton in 1954. His artful concoction blended rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice to create the beloved and iconic summer indulgence that we know today. Now it’s an icon of summer holidays and tropical getaways, a sippable symbol of relaxation.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 59 ml of coconut cream
- 59 ml rum
Directions:
Blend all ingredients until frosty and creamy.
3. Dark and Stormy
At the end of World War I, British naval officers were diligently crafting ginger beer as a remedy for seasickness. Their inventive spirit led them to add this ginger beer with a generous serving of rum. As the two elements swirled together in a cup, the story goes that a sailor, upon observing the resulting mixture, remarked that it bore the colour of a cloud that only a fool or a dead man would sail under. And from there on in, it became known as a dark and stormy.
Ingredients:
- 118 ml of ginger beer
- 59 ml dark rum
- Lime wedge
Directions:
Add ginger beer and rum in a tall glass over ice, and garnish with a lime wedge.
Additionally, here are a few more delightful rum-based concoctions:
4. Cuba Libre
Most accounts concur that the origins of the Cuba Libre cocktail can be traced back to Havana around 1900, shortly after the conclusion of the Spanish-American War in 1898, which marked the inception of Cuban independence. The name itself, "Cuba Libre," translates to "Free Cuba," mirroring the rallying cry of the Cuban Liberation Army during this transformative period in Cuban history. Though it has a distinctly Cuban past, it’s made a name as a favourite worldwide.
Ingredients:
- 118 ml Coca-Cola
- 59 ml rum
- Lime wedge
Directions: Pour the rum and Coke in a glass over ice, garnish with a lime wedge.
5. Rum Punch
The earliest recorded reference to punch traces its origins back to the year 1632, although this account pertains to a Western context it’s thought that the term "punch" may have its roots in ancient Sanskrit, early dialects of Hindi or ancient Persia. Regardless of the linguistic route it followed, there is consensus on the significance of the word, as it translates to "five," symbolising the five essential elements required to craft an authentic punch: sourness, sweetness, spiciness, water, and, naturally, alcohol.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml orange juice
- 60 ml pineapple juice
- 60 ml rum
Directions:
Add ingredients in a cup over ice. Repeat as needed.
6. Rum Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned cocktail has its origins firmly rooted in the 1800s, marking its presence in the earliest chapters of cocktail history. However, during that era, it was referred to simply as the "Whiskey Cocktail," adhering to the fundamental cocktail template consisting of a spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. Over time the definition of an ‘old-fashioned’ expanded and people started making it with rum as well for a fresh take on an old favourite.
Ingredients:
- 44 ml aged rum
- 15 ml simple syrup
- 2 dashes bitters
Directions:
Add bitters and sugar in a rocks glass, add ice and whisky, and stir to combine.
