How to use rum in cooking

What is rum?

Rum is an alcoholic beverage, a liquor that is made from fermented and distilled sugarcane molasses. It is heavily associated with the Caribbean, and rum as we know it was first produced there in the 17th century. The alcohol concentration of rum starts at around 40% ABV, though it can be more, and whilst initially a clear liquid it is more recognisable after the barrels it is stored and aged in have given it a golden or dark brown colour.

Depending on the age or storage of the rum, it can have a sweetness from the sugar or a chocolatey caramel flavour, and an earthiness as well as a kick.

Menu idea - Rum punch

For large events rum punch is a great drink to serve as you can make it in large batches so it's always on hand, and the fruity flavours will only deepen and mature as time goes on.

You can use light rum or dark rum (or both - but be very careful) for rum punch, and it simply needs to be well mixed with lime juice, grenadine syrup and sugar syrup. If you prefer a weaker punch you can also add orange or pineapple juice. The punch should be thoroughly chilled before serving, but it's best to add ice to the glass before drinking rather than adding it to the punch bowl or jug directly as this will dilute it and make it taste watery.

Top tip

Although you can cook with all varieties of rum, spiced rum might be the most versatile - it has a light spiciness and sweetness that pairs with both sweet and savoury ingredients, and a warming quality that also makes it suitable for heavier winter dishes.

What foods pair well with rum?

Rum pairs especially well with Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken, but light and dark rum have slightly different flavour profiles that complement different foods. Light rum is best with fish dishes such as ceviche or steamed flying fish, whilst heavier dishes are better suited to red meat such as lamb or beef, and can even be added to rich dishes such as stew.

Menu idea - Rum ham

This boozy, indulgent take on baked ham first came to prominence via the TV sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where Danny Devito’s character Frank enjoys it on a trip to the Jersey Shore. The perfect centre piece and talking point for a party or holiday event, it is made by making deep cuts into the ham and then steeping it overnight in a brine bath of water, rum, molasses and salt.

After removing from the brine, you can coat with a mustard or even rum and sugar crust before baking in the oven (cooking time will depend on the size of the ham, but a general rule is 1 hour for every lb of weight). As per the television show, it is served with a pineapple ring and maraschino cherry garnish.

Top tip

You can add a splash of rum to a fruit salad to give it an extra kick, and bring out the juicy fruit flavours.

Does the alcohol in rum disappear during cooking?

Whilst the alcohol in rum does disappear during cooking, it does not disappear as quickly as you might expect - certainly it needs more time than an alcoholic drink with a lower ABV such as wine or cider. You will need to simmer rum for close to half an hour to even remove half the alcohol, and around 3 hours for it to disappear completely.

Menu idea - spiced rum chicken wings

Side dish, snack or part of a platter - this is an extra moreish take on a casual dining favourite. To make it you simply make a glaze of spiced rum, brown sugar, lime juice, ketchup, ginger, salt and pepper and any other spice you like (you can also add coca cola or honey if you want more sweetness) in a pan over a low heat till the sugar is fully dissolved. Then spray the wings with oil (or coat in mustard which does the same thing) to ensure the glaze sticks to the wings, and fry.

Top tip

Save white rum for lighter desserts, and those that are lightly creamy (think panna cotta rather than chocolate gateau), as it has a more delicate flavour that can be easily overpowered by rich ingredients - particularly if the alcohol is being cooked off.

Can you cook with old rum?

Yes, you can cook with old rum but it is important to make the distinction between old rum that has been opened and sitting in a cupboard for a large amount of time, and aged rum - which refers to rum that has been purposely aged in the barrel over a specific period of time to deepen and develop the flavour.

If unopened, rum has a very long shelf life, but once opened it should be used within 2 years - so if it has been opened longer you can still probably cook with it but the quality will have degraded and the flavour will be off.

Aged rum is more often drunk neat as it is considered premium and high-quality, but its deep caramel flavours taste great in rich dishes - both sweet and savoury.

Menu idea - Rum and raisin rice pudding

An exotic take on a nostalgic favourite, this is better enjoyed by adults than kids.

The main component of this rich and warming dessert is a syrup made by combining and heating spiced rum, brown or muscovado sugar and raisins. This should be stirred into short-grain rice that has been lightly toasted in butter and then simmered in a pan with sugar and milk (or coconut milk) for at least 30-40 minutes.

Top tip

As an alcoholic liquid, rum is great for deglazing a pan after searing or frying meat. You can then add freshly chopped ginger, garlic and herbs to the rum to create a tasty sauce.

What are the best snacks to have with rum?

Nuts - especially candied or honey roasted nuts are a perfect snack to eat with rum, as they align with the source food of rum (sugar) but also have a savouriness that complements the spice and kick of rum.

You can also eat aged cheeses such as gouda with rum, and pretty much any cheese you’d have with fruit.

Menu idea - Bananas Foster

A famous dessert originating in New Orleans (at Brennan’s Restaurant, according to many), Bananas Foster is traditionally served a flambé (when alcohol is poured over the food directly in the hot pan so that flames appear) tableside, but is more commonly made by heating rum, sugar, vanilla paste or essence and cinnamon in a frying pan and adding chopped bananas and walnuts. Stir until everything is combined and serve over ice cream.

Top tip

Although it's common to cook with cheap red wine, avoid choosing cheap rum for the same purpose - it will make the food taste bitter rather than sweet and spicy.