Rum has been filling glasses and wetting whistles for well over 500 years, with the very first reference to the sweet spirit being recorded by none other than Marco Polo himself.

With its smoky and sweet flavor tones and a huge degree of versatility, rum has been a staple among spirit connoisseurs and partygoers alike. If you want to know how to drink rum, it is worth bearing in mind that it is a more confusing spirit than most.

Unlike drinks such as vodka and gin, rum comes in a mind-boggling variety. There is spiced rum, white rum, aged rum, and black rum, to name just a few.

In order to get the most out of your rum cocktail recipes, it helps to know the essential rum drinking rules to guide you through. With these five rules for drinking rum, you will always be able to craft perfect rum cocktails, whatever the occasion. 

1. Ignore the Marketing

Before getting into how to make the best rum cocktails, it is important to remember one thing, and that's to ignore the marketing. Years of ad campaigns have sought to position rum as an exclusively summery drink, mixed only with fruity concoctions and coconut.

While this is not untrue, it does not do justice to the versatile flavors and experiences you can have with rum. Rum is a year-round drink that you can pair with a variety of ingredients beyond brown sugar, pineapple, and coconut. 

2. Learn How to Drink Rum in Moderation

While drinking in moderation is true of any spirit, it is important to pay extra attention to your rum intake. Limit yourself to three rum drinks max per sitting and drink plenty of water.

3. White and Dark Rum Are Very Similar

Some self-professed rum lovers will swear that white rum cocktails or dark rum cocktails are innately superior and worlds apart from each other. However, this is a misconception.

White and dark rum are virtually identical in most aspects. However, dark rum is filtered with charcoal, which gives it a smokier flavor. This is the key difference to keep in mind when choosing between the two. 

4. Know How to Spot a Quality Rum 

Being able to clock a quality rum from a mile away is key. For this, all you need to do is to rely on your senses. First, pour a small amount of rum into a glass and give it a swirl. If the rum is cloudy, then it is no good.

Quality dark rum should have a clear amber tint, while white rum should be completely clear like vodka. Give the rum a swoosh in your mouth. If there is an immediate sharp burn, then you are dealing with a bad rum. 

5. Stick to the Staples

Finally, it is worth remembering that you don't need to get bogged down with elaborate rum cocktail recipes. Rum is versatile, but it is best enjoyed when you don't overcomplicate things.

As long as you know the staple rum pairings, you can mix and match to create a consistently good rum cocktail. These are generally considered to be apple, lime, cola, and ginger. 

Buy Top-Shelf Rum Today 

Now that you know how to drink rum, it's time to get a bottle that matches up to your refined tastes. Pusser's British Navy Rum has been aged for 15 years, providing a perfectly rich, smoky, and smooth flavor.