Food

National Rum Day in U.S. 2023: Date, History, Celebrations

Rum's early history parallels that of the Americas, and some would argue that few alcoholic beverages have had a greater influence on the new world.

The 16th of August is National Rum Day. National Today and our colleagues at Goslings Rum would like to take this opportunity to celebrate one of our favourite libations and share some fascinating information about the history and culture of this historic spirit. Rum has been a pillar of the American economy since virtually its inception and remains one of the most versatile alcoholic beverages available today.

Since 1806, the Gosling family of rum distillers has supplied the world with this legendary beverage, ageing and blending each drop on their native island of Bermuda. Their Black Seal rum, which they have produced since the 1850s, is the gold standard for black rums, having won the International Rum Festival’s Gold Award for three consecutive years. National Rum Day is sponsored by Goslings to promote the rich history and flavour of this historic spirit.

The background of National Rum Day

Rum’s early history parallels that of the Americas, and some would argue that few alcoholic beverages have had a greater influence on the new world. Although some form of rum has been distilled since the third century BCE, its popularity did not erupt until the 17th century, when sugarcane was first cultivated in the Caribbean by European colonists. Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production, and rather than squander it, they distilled it into alcohol (smart move).

Initially referred to as “kill devil” due to its high alcohol content and unpleasant flavour, the process of fermenting and distilling molasses became progressively more refined, and the resulting spirit became substantially more enjoyable. The etymology of the word “rum” is still up for debate, but one of the most widely accepted explanations is that it is derived from the terms rumbuillion or rumbustion, both of which mean an upheaval, but was ultimately shortened to rum.

Rum production rapidly spread throughout the Caribbean and beyond to islands such as Bermuda, Nevis, and Jamaica, where it became one of the most popular spirits and was even used as currency. Rum became so popular in colonial America that it ultimately accounted for 80 percent of New England’s exports, and a tax on sugar in the 1760s directly precipitated the American Revolution.

However, not all of the history of rum is so positive. Like many labor-intensive industries of the early American economy, the sugarcane and thus the rum trade relied on slave labour, and the spirit’s prominence contributed to the existence of the slave trade in the United States until the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

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National Rum Day Celebrations

Drink a Cocktail, Naturally

Rum is the spirit of summer in every possible manner, whether it is served iced in a glass, neat in a tumbler, or frozen with little umbrellas. Expand your horizons and attempt something new to keep summer in your heart.

Invoke Your Inner Private Eye

Rum is the beverage of preference for sailors, especially those who frequent island ports such as Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. However, this is also part of pirate lore. Make a tribute to your favourite privateer with a cocktail that is historically accurate (eye patch not required).

Explore Rum’s Culinary Potential

Pour the rum from the glass into the pan for a cooking and baking experience that is both exciting and fiery. In classic delicacies such as rum raisin pie, spiced rum cake and bananas foster, the sweet flavour of rum is prominent.