Many cocktails that incorporate rum tend to push it to the background by mixing it with various ingredients, which can mask the rum’s flavor. Personally, I enjoy experiencing the full range of my rum’s flavors—herbaceous, fruity, nutty, floral, caramel, and so much more.
Rum’s versatility shines in drinks that showcase the distinctiveness of a specific bottle. Both a classic daiquiri and a rum old fashioned serve this purpose well.
The rum old fashioned doesn’t have a precise origin since people have been mixing rum with sugar, water—and later, bitters—for centuries. However, the cocktail resurgence of the 2000s brought classic rum variations back into vogue.
The Best Rum for This Cocktail
Each rum has its own unique flavor profile, so not all rums are suitable for a rum old fashioned. I prefer using an aged rum that captures the essence of a traditional old fashioned. Here are a few of my top picks, though you can choose any aged rum you like:
- The Real McCoy 5 year: A lighter-bodied rum that’s flavorful yet smooth.
- Appleton Estate Rare 12 year: A pricier option with a smoky, spicy taste.
- Rhum Barbancourt 8 year: An "agricole" style rum made from sugar cane juice, offering a rich and funky flavor.
Rums differ greatly in distillation and aging techniques, and the flavors can vary depending on where the sugarcane is grown. I suggest exploring a variety of rums to discover your favorite.
Sugar Cubes Vs. Simple Syrup
The traditional old fashioned recipe often calls for muddling a sugar cube into the drink. To keep things simple, I avoid muddling, though opinions on this differ among enthusiasts. For convenience, I suggest using simple syrup instead. To create a richer texture, try making rich simple syrup by warming 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan until dissolved. Store this in the fridge for up to 2 months.
Easy Variations
- Make it spiced: Swap the aged rum for spiced rum and replace aromatic bitters with orange bitters.
- Make it sweet: Use maple syrup instead of simple syrup for a rich, woody twist.
- Make it tropical: Substitute aged rum with coconut rum and switch out the orange peel for lime.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces aged rum
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 to 3 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 (2-inch) orange peel, for garnish
Instructions
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Combine the ingredients: In a double rocks glass, add the aged rum, simple syrup, and bitters. Add a large ice cube (or 2 to 3 smaller cubes) and gently stir for about 20 seconds to chill the drink and allow some water dilution.
- Garnish and serve: Twist the orange peel over the drink to release its oils into the drink and place it in the glass as a garnish.
Enjoy creating and personalizing this classic rum cocktail to your taste!
