Tag: Rum types

According to Bacardi, the Rum and Coke is one of the world's most popular alcoholic drinks, and getting the measurements right is key to its appeal. Finding the perfect answer to how many shots of rum per coke depends on your preference for a mild, balanced, or strong cocktail.

Globally, rum sales exceeded $17 billion in 2023, but the core decision for many enthusiasts remains: what's better, white rum or dark rum? The answer lies not in quality, but in understanding how distinct production and aging processes create two fundamentally different spirits tailored for different purposes.

All rum, regardless of its final color, begins as a clear, distilled spirit derived from sugarcane. This fundamental truth is the starting point for answering the common question: Is clear rum better than dark rum? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, depending entirely on your intended use and personal flavor preferences.

Most mainstream gold rums, like Bacardi Gold, are bottled at a standard 40% Alcohol by Volume (ABV), which is also known as 80 proof. This alcohol content is similar to many other popular spirits, but specific variations and brands, especially spiced versions, can have a different strength.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a standard US shot of spirits is 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, which is 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). A shot of Bacardi, assuming it's the standard Bacardi Superior, contains 40% alcohol by volume, equating to 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol.

While rum is derived from sugarcane, a pure, distilled, unflavored rum contains no sugar and no carbohydrates. The common perception that rum is high on sugar comes from the fact that many manufacturers add sugar, flavorings, and colorings after the distillation process to enhance taste. This addition can cause the sugar content to vary drastically across different brands and styles of rum.

Rum is a distilled spirit with a high alcohol content, typically ranging from 36% to 50% ABV. Like other spirits, it is considered a strong alcohol, with some varieties, known as overproof rum, reaching even higher percentages of alcohol by volume. Its strength is influenced by the distillation process and the final proofing before bottling.

The alcohol content of Captain Morgan's rum is not uniform across all products, with its Original Spiced variety typically sitting at 35% ABV, or 70 proof, in the United States. The exact strength depends on the specific variant, which can range significantly from lower-proof flavored options to higher-proof spiced versions.

Despite being made from sugarcane molasses or juice, pure distilled rum is typically sugar-free. This is because the fermentation and distillation processes convert the sugars into alcohol and other compounds. However, many commercial rum brands add sugar and other sweeteners after distillation, leading to significant variations in the final sugar content.