National Today Wednesday August 16 National Rum Day

National Rum Day
We pay tribute to the currency of the Caribbean as we celebrate National Rum Day.






August 16 is National Rum Day. National Today and our friends at Goslings Rum want to take the opportunity to celebrate one of our favorite libations and share some interesting facts about the history and culture surrounding this historic spirit. Rum has been a staple of the economy of the Americas from nearly its founding and remains one of the most versatile liquors available today. Traditionally found in light or dark varieties, rum has found its way into many alluring and inventive cocktails, punches, and mixed drinks, most notably the Goslings Dark ‘n Stormy.

The Gosling family of rum makers have been supplying the world with this storied beverage since 1806, aging and blending every drop on their home island of Bermuda. Their Black Seal rum — which they’ve been producing since the 1850s — is the gold standard for dark rums having been awarded the Gold Award three straight years at the International Rum Festival. Goslings proudly sponsors National Rum Day to spread the word about the rich history and taste of this historic spirit.

History of National Rum Day

Rum’s early history runs parallel with that of the Americas and some would say few liquors have had a bigger impact on the new world. While some form of rum has been distilled since the third century BCE, it wasn’t until 17th century colonizers began growing sugarcane in the Caribbean that rum’s popularity exploded. Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production and rather than let this excess go to waste they distilled it into booze (good call).

Initially called “kill devil” for its high alcohol content and less than savory taste, the process of fermenting and distilling molasses became steadily more sophisticated and the spirit significantly more enjoyable. The etymology of the word “rum” is still open for debate but among the most agreed upon theories is that it is derived from the terms rumbuillion or rumbustion — both meaning an upheaval — but eventually shortened to rum.

Rum production quickly spread throughout the Caribbean and beyond, to islands such as Bermuda, Nevis, and Jamaica, becoming one of the most popular spirits and even being used as currency. Rum became so popular in colonial America that it eventually contributed to 80% of the exports from New England and a tax on sugar in the 1760s led directly to the American Revolution.

However, not all of rum’s history is so rosy. Like many of the labor-intensive industries of the early American economies, the sugarcane and thus the rum trade was based on slave labor and the spirit’s popularity contributed to the slave trade that existed in America until the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.


National Rum Day Activities


   Have a Cocktail, Obviously

   Whether it’s iced in a glass, neat in a tumbler, or frozen with little umbrellas in it, rum is the spirit of summer in every possible way. Branch out and try a new concoction and keep summer in your heart.

   Channel Your Inner Privateer

   Rum is known as the drink of choice for sailors, particularly those frequenting island ports like Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. But it is also a part of pirate lore. Make a nod to your favorite privateer through a period accurate cocktail (eye patch not required).

   Go on a Rum-based Culinary Excursion

   Take the rum out of the glass and into the pan for an interesting and fiery cooking and baking experience. Classic desserts like rum raisin pie, spiced rum cake, and the combustive bananas foster all put the sweet taste of rum front and center.



7 Summer Rum Cocktails So Good You’ll Forget You Can’t Leave Your House

It’s a hot one out there. For most of the country, mid-August lives up to its nickname, the “dog days of summer.” When temperatures get this high thermometers just say “yikes.” And for most of us not blessed with socially distanced beach access, August this year is especially draining.



That’s why the fine folks at Goslings, makers of the famous Black Seal and Gold Seal Bermuda Rums, have created this list of some of the best, most refreshing, rum cocktails. Any one of these tall, cool libations will have you honestly believing you’ve stepped off of your back porch and onto a Bermudian shore.



Rum drinks just scream summer. In fact, a recent nationwide survey found that 26% of Americans prefer a rum cocktail specifically when the temps start to skyrocket. There are a lot of reasons why this might be. Maybe it’s the Caribbean history of the spirit, or the fact that rum, fruit, and ice can be combined to make a myriad of some of the most refreshing drinks on the planet.



No matter the reason, this National Rum Day (August 16) is the perfect moment to break out a blender or cocktail shaker, fill up the inflatable kiddie pool in the yard, and drift away to the islands in your mind.




Why We Love National Rum Day


   It’s One of the Most Versatile Spirits

   Over the centuries, rum has proven itself to be a versatile and useful spirit that can be mixed into punches or cocktails in a myriad of ways, enjoyed neat, or even on the rocks.

   It has a flavor complexity that can’t be rivaled

   Whiskey often gets the nod for the most over-analyzed liquor by gourmands, but aged rum, with its smoky, earthy, aroma and notes of vanilla and caramel, offers some serious fodder for foodies to gush about.

   Its History Mirrors the Americas

   The history of rum runs parallel to the history of the Americas. It’s impact can be felt from the sugarcane trade, slavery, the American revolution, and the growth of nearby island economies, particularly Bermuda.