The Five Best Rums To Use In A Mojito
Making craft cocktails at home isnt a difficult thing to do if you have a good recipe and the right ingredients. Although its not rocket science, there are a few things that can make your mojitos better than average. It starts with the right rum for the job. Any of us who have experimented with different brands and types of rum have learned through trial and error which rums make the best Mojito. While its mostly a matter of preference, we have our druthers so were sharing our seasoned opinions about the five best rums to use in a Mojito for the best results.
Best American: Owneys White Rum
Courtesy of Reserve Bar
Region: New York City | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Banana, Butterscotch, Spice
The American rum scene is thriving, with distilleries around the country making excellent versions of this spirit. This woman-owned distillery started in Brooklyn back in 2011 with this white rum made from molasses produced from domestically grown sugarcane.
The distillery is making a blended rum now, but this bottle is still readily available and offers a revealing taste of how good American rum can be.
Flor De Caa Extra Dry 4 Year
While many white spirits are unaged, most white rums do spend time in a barreland then have their color stripped out. This beautiful Nicaraguan rum spends four whole years in oak the flavor is dry and a little toasty, with hints of fruit and vanilla but not sweet in the slightest. Try it in: a piña colada
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Rivers Royal Grenadian Rum
Review
Rivers Royal Grenadian Rum is a white rum elegantly distilled from local hand-cut sugar canes. The production of this rum has barely changed in the last 230 years since the distillery was established in 1785. The Sugar canes are crushed by mill powered 18th-century water wheel.
The fermentation of the sugar cane juices can be done for up to 10 days in the open air using only naturally occurring wild yeast. After which, it is distilled on wood fire using the estate two copper pot stills and bottled by hand.
Initially intense on the open, but soon sweet grassy flavours loiter and burst with orange peel zest, leaving traces of a nutty taste and a hint of chilly chocolate tones.
Overall, although it has an initial kick, Rivers Royal Grenadian Rum brings a mix of flavours that complement the tangy zest of the classic mojito.
Pricing & Info
Bacard Superior White Rum
MOST ICONIC
When you think of the best white rum, theres a solid chance the first bottle that comes to mind is BACARDÍ. Like, how could it now? The BACARDÍ logo is plastered all over bars the second the weather begins to warm up. From BACARDÍ rum buckets at the local dive to stickers stuck to the side of the frozen piña colada machine at your favorite tiki bar, BACARDÍ is everywhere in the summer. Hell, Cardi B even named herself after the white rum. Their Superior White Rum is said to have pioneered white rum in general, creating a new way for folks to drink rum all the way back in 1862. It still holds up, too.
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Best Sipper: Denizen Aged White
Courtesy of Total Wine
Region: Trinidad, Jamaica | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Grass, Oak, Vanilla
Denizen White Rum is a great product at a solid price point, says Frederic Yarm of The Smoke Shop in Somerville, Massachusetts. The producer acquires aged rum stocks from Trinidad and Jamaica, blends them, and charcoal-filters out the color.
The end result? A stunning rum ready for mixing with lime and sugar to make Daiquiris, or Coke for a highball, or a bounty of mixers for tropical drinks, says Yarm. The rum is also complex enough to stand on its own, making this a good choice to reach for when youre in the mood to sip.
Mount Gay Eclipse Rum
Origin: Barbados
Flavors: Toffee, citrus, cooked fruit
The flagship expression of Mount Gay Raum is distilled from molasses. One part is produced using a pot still, the other with a column still. Both products are later blended before the aging process starts.
The taste is quite dry but carries sweet notes from toffee and caramel mixed with spicy notes from black pepper. It’s a typical Barbadian-style Rum that goes well with mint and fresh limes.
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Ninefold Pure Single Rum
A modern rum from an ancient estate in the south of Scotland. This unlikely delight is un-aged and packed full of big, sharp flavours such as ginger and tart citrus but theres also plenty of smooth, chewy caramel. Put this at the base of a warm rum punch to dispel any sniffles think of it as a pirates hot toddy. Read our full Ninefold pure single rum review.
Available from:
Best For Daiquiri: Plantation 3 Stars
Courtesy of Plantation Rum
Region: Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad | ABV: 41.2% | Tasting Notes: Brown sugar, Tropical fruit, Candied orange
“Plantation 3 Stars White Rum is a mix of the best three terroirs in the Caribbean: Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad, says Carlos Lopez, the bar manager of Stiltsville Fish Bar in Miami Beach. Its the perfect rum for a classic Daiquiri and Mojito.
This expression is a blend of unaged and two- to three-year-old rum, with a touch of older Jamaican rum for some extra flavor.
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Can I Use Vodka Instead Of Rum In A Mojito
Thanks to white rum, fresh mint, lime, and a little bit of sugar, mojitos taste fresh and light, making them perfect for warmer weather! Mojitos are easy to make for one or for a crowd. For the best tasting cocktail, dont skip the fresh mint and freshly squeezed lime, theyre essential on this one.
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Best For Mojito: Havana Club Aejo Blanco
Courtesy of The Real Havana Club
Region: Puerto Rico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Pineapple, Vanilla, Banana
Havana Club Añejo Blanco has a clean taste with fruity aromas, hints of vanilla and oak, says Reniel Garcia, the bar director of Havana 1957 in Miami Beach. It is distilled in Puerto Rico using a two-part aging process.
The rum is aged for a year, then blended together and aged for another two months. The result is the perfect rum to mix with some lime and mint for a classic Mojito.
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A Few Ideas On How To Use The Alcohol
Mount Gay Eclipse Silver
Mount Gay is native to Barbados and is known for their expertly-aged rum, but their silver variety is worthy to discuss all on its own. It’s a fruity and smooth spirit that isn’t aged, but still packs a full-body flavor from beginning to end. It’s a solid white rum that offers the sweetness of bananas to a mojito, without adding a harsh edge to the drink. Straight up, it does burn a bit going down. But in a drink, it balances well while still packing a punch to tell you that you’re enjoying a real adult beverage, and not something that is quietly present in the background.
The folks on Rum Ratings seem to agree that this is a rum best left for mixing. It cannot stand on its own, but when you’re only drinking mojitos, it doesn’t have to. It’s not necessarily a must-try, but it definitely works when you’re in a pinch and need a palatable rum to mix.
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The 9 Best Rums For Mojitos
Mojitos are arguably the most popular cocktails – and its not hard to see why. They are super refreshing, subtly sweet, and wonderfully light. They are the perfect addition to any boozy get-together, especially those held in the summer! The secret to a top-quality mojito is using a top-quality rum. To up your mojito game, check out the 9 best rums for mojitos below. Whether you like your mojitos traditional or with a bit of an edge, weve got something for you.
We just had to kick this list off with the wonderful Real McCoy 3-Year-Old. This is a single blended, white, unmodified white rum that makes the perfect mojito!
It has undergone charcoal filtration which works to remove the color whilst maintaining a wonderfully complex flavor and aroma.
It has subtle hints of citrus, vanilla, caramel, coconut, and nutmeg. It also boasts a warm, oaky finish that will leave you wanting more!
For the price, this is a truly exceptional rum. It works to complement the classic mojito flavors of lime juice and mint beautifully, whilst also adding an unrivaled depth of flavor.
EDITORS CHOICE
If youre a fan of a fruity mojito, then you need to give The Street Pumas Rum a try. It is a Panamanian rum that has a super unique bottle.
The fun comic strip displayed on the bottle is a sign of the innovative and uplifting nature of this rum. It has a surprisingly aromatic nature that brings any mojito to life.
BEST VALUE
RUNNER UP
RUNNER UP
Best Splurge: Rhum Jm Agricole Blanc
Courtesy of Amazon.com
Region: Martinique | ABV: 50% | Tasting Note: Sugarcane, Tropical fruit, Spice
This spirit is spelled with an h because its actually rhum agricole from Martinique. That means that its distilled from sugarcane juice instead of molasses. Rhum J.M might cost a bit more than your average bottle, but the earthy palate with notes of citrus, banana and caramel makes it worth the price. This bottle tastes great on its own or used in any cocktail.
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Rhum Jm Agricole Blanc
Rum, by definition, is made from sugar. Most rums, including just about every rum the casual drinker would be familiar with, is made from fermented molasses, a sugar byproduct. But the spirit known as rhum agricole is distilled from sugarcane juice, and as a result, its a whole different animalextremely fruity, funky, and wild-tasting in a way nearly unique among spirits. If youre used to the Bacardi style, it might be off-putting, but for spirits nerds, this Martinique rhum is where its at. Try it in: ti punch
Cana Brava Rum From $2699 For 750ml From Drizly
If you are a newbie to the cocktail world then Cana Brava rum is for you. The innovative bottle has handy measuring scales, originally designed for bartenders, but very nifty for the novice mixologist.
With the aroma of fudge and vanilla ice cream followed by the taste of a sweet pastry, this solid white rum is delicious. If you are worried it might be lethal, the slightly medicinal undertone, a nod to its origins, and the lingering taste of cracked black pepper will help you portion control.
Bartenders agree it is one of the best rum for mojitos.
Mojito Twist:chilledmagazine.com suggests that black tea syrup, lemon juice and lemon verbena are a funky twist on the classic mojito using Cana Brava Rum.
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Havana Club Aejo Blanco Rum
ABV: 41,2%
Origin: Puerto Rico / Cuba
Flavors: Pineapple, banana, and vanilla
If you’re looking into traditional recipes for making a Daiquiri or Mojito, you will read “Dry Cuban Rum”. And while the rest of the world could get it, it once was almost impossible in the US. The problematic situation between Cuba and the United States wouldn’t allow it. But at least for the Rum, there’s hope.
Havana Club Añejo Blanco follows an old Cuban family recipe. And just recently, this recipe made it out of Cuba and is now produced and bottled by Bacardi in Puerto Rico. The spirit has a slight sweetness, subtle fruity notes, and a long finish. A bold Rum that stands out even when mixing with other bold flavors.
Flor De Cana 4 Year Extra Seco
Flor de Cana is a distillery out of Nicaragua that specializes in sustainably produced rum that is carbon neutral as well as fair trade certified. It’s 4 Year Extra Seco is a downright solid pick across the board when it comes to flavor and price as it sells for just around $20 a bottle. Be warned it is a dry silver rum and not particularly fruity, so if you’re not into that you might want to throw another liquor into your mojito.
But if you’re not scared away by a dry finish, Flor de Cana Extra Seco hits the mark in every category. The smell is on point, giving off notes of vanilla and oak. It’s smooth, while still giving you a complex and strong silver rum flavor. It’s one of those rums on this list worth trying out if it catches your eye in the liquor store, as it doesn’t disappoint in any drink or even straight up on the rocks.
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The Absolute Best Rums To Use For Mojitos Ranked
In recent decades, the mojito has gained a rather negative reputation. As Punch explains, this fall from grace has been caused by nightclubbers who have long over-ordered the drink, a time-consuming mixing process that makes it the bane of many bartenders shifts, and an even larger cliché-fueled stigma.
Unsurprisingly, the spirit traditionally used to make mojitos, white rum, is also frequently misunderstood. Indeed, there remains no actual legal definition of white rum or any other type of rum a fact that contrasts sharply with other, heavily regulated spirits .
Initial iterations of the mojito sometimes known as El Draque after Sir Francis Drake did not include rum at all, but rather a precursor to the spirit, aguardiente de caña, per Diffords Guide. This drink was enjoyed throughout Cuba the site of its invention until the 20th century when the mojito as we know it was popularized during prohibition alongside Cuban-based rum producers, such as Bacardí.
Nowadays, the choice of rum extends well beyond Bacardí, with numerous brands claiming their spirit is perfect for the cocktail. Of course, not all of these statements are true, yet there are several mojito-making rums that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Whilst we cant guarantee that these spirits will salvage the reputation of this overly deprecated cocktail, we can assure you that they will form the basis of a delightfully refreshing mojito.
Diplomtico Planas Aged White Rum
ABV: 47%
Origin: Venezuela
Flavors: Coconut and coffee
Diplomático is a renowned Rum brand from Venezuela. Made from fresh and natural spring water Diplomático Rum is more famous for its dark Rums. But Planas Aged White Rum also is a beautiful white yet aged Rum that works perfectly in a Mojito. Clean in taste and with a super smooth finish, the Rum shows notes of coconut, pineapple, and coffee, too.
The spirit is barrel-aged for six years and during that time develops a dark color and complex flavor profile. Before bottling, Diplomático Planas Aged White Rum is charcoal filtered to achieve a clean and transparent look.
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The 5 Best Rums For Your Mojito
When it comes to summer drinking, the Mojito is a staple. Its citrusy, minty effervescence is the perfect thirst-quencher on those sweltering hot days beneath the sun. Whether you find yourself lounging poolside, party hopping, or simply sipping on a porch, the mojito is sure to deliver.
Making Mojitos at home doesnt have to be as expensive as you think. When it comes to crafting these rum-based cocktails, using inexpensive rum of decent quality is all you need to carry you through your favorite recipe. Weve rounded up five of the best rums for all of your Mojito-making needs. Simply muddle, mix, and mint-ify the top!
Best Puerto Rican: Don Q Cristal
Courtesy of Drizly.com
Region: Puerto Rico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Lemon, Pear, Banana
Don Q is one of the most popular rum brands in Puerto Rico. What is special about this Puerto Rican rum is that it has been aged for a minimum of 18 months in American oak barrels, then goes through a process of carbon filtration for a more smooth and refined taste, says Pablo Guerrero, the food and beverage manager of Azabu Miami Beach. He says Don Q makes a great sipping rum, and it makes for a great cocktail.
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Wray And Nephew Overproof Rum
Utterly unlike any bottle on this list, Wray and Nephew is formidableup at 126 proof, nearly double the strength of most spirits. But it’s a classic and beautifully-made Jamaican rum, and a key player in many tiki cocktails. It’s funky, unpredictable, powerful, and a splash of it enlivens many a drink. Try it in: rum punches