Rum is usually something you’d find in a fruity cocktail, but it’s useful in other drinks, one of them being the mojito. While mojitos have evolved into drinks that can be made with almost any clear liquor base, rum is still a popular choice and one of the best options if you want to spice things up with a minty mojito.
The mojito is a simple drink that’s not too flashy, yet it has a touch of class. A traditional mojito is made with simple syrup, muddled mint leaves, club soda, lime juice, and a rum of your choice. The key ingredient here is rum, so you must get it right by choosing the best rum for mojitos.
While most rums can work well in a mojito, some are better than others, so we’re here to help. We cover what rum for mojitos should be, what to look for in a rum, and where you can find it. Furthermore, we cover four of the best rum options for your next mojito.
What You Need to Know About Rum for Mojitos
When it comes to rum for mojitos, there’s not too much you need to know aside from the color of the rum. It’s best to choose a white rum or a rum that doesn’t have too much color to it. This is because you want the rum to have a smooth flavor that doesn’t overpower the rest of the drink. For example, a dark rum will be too strong for a drink like a mojito, so it will overpower the mojito flavors and change the taste of the drink, unfortunately, for the worse.
Aside from the color, you can get creative with your rum options. We recommend against getting rum that’s on the cheaper side if you want a smooth experience, but even a cheap rum can make a good mojito because it’s all about the other flavors.
Rum for Mojitos: An Overview
Rum for mojitos should be a white rum that has a smooth flavor that doesn’t overpower the mojito flavors. White rum is a clear liquor that’s distilled using sugarcane, juice, or even molasses. The drink comes from the Caribbean region and other areas where sugarcane is available for distillation.
Compared to other types of rum, especially darker options, white rum is distilled for a shorter period in stainless steel tanks. The short distillation period and steel tanks help a rum for mojitos have a smooth taste that doesn’t get in the way of the additives you find in a mojito.
When it comes to the flavor profile of rum for mojitos, it’s typically light and sweet. Any dark colors from the aging process are removed to ensure that the taste remains as neutral as possible. For this reason, you’ll typically find white rum in mojitos and other cocktails. Therefore, if you plan on using a darker rum, make sure it's the best dark rum you can find to avoid problems.
While it’s sweet, rum for mojitos can still pack a punch with an average of 80 proof, or 40% ABV. This means that a few rum mojitos can leave you feeling a little tipsy.
Rum for mojitos also isn’t exclusively used for mojitos. Most light rums are used in other cocktails, like Piña Colodas or other tropical drinks, to bring you a sweet taste of summer. Many people also mix light rums with other mixers or take 1.5-ounce shots.
How to Choose the Best Rum for Mojitos
Choosing the best rum for mojitos isn’t a complicated process. In fact, it’s more about figuring out what you should avoid and how much money a good rum for mojitos should cost. Therefore, color, taste, and price are the main things that you should look for when choosing a rum for mojitos.
First and foremost, we’ll start with the color. The color should be clear, or at least as clear as possible. Anything other than white rum can cause problems with the flavor of a mojito, so it’s a good idea to avoid dark or gold rum options. While white rum is the traditional choice, you can’t go wrong with some unique dark rum options that incorporate minty flavors with other botanical flavors because they can enhance a mojito. Therefore, don’t fully close your mind off to darker rum options.
The next factor to consider is the flavor. You don’t want a strong flavor, so smoothness should be at the top of your list for tasting notes. Hints of botanicals and other flavors can further enhance a mojito, but in most cases, you’re better off keeping it simple.
The last thing to note is the cost of a rum for mojitos. There are some expensive white rum options, but it’s not always worth the cost if you’re using the rum for a mojito because mojitos have a lot of flavors. Therefore, the cost isn’t something you have to worry about as long as you avoid the low end of the white rum spectrum.
What Does Rum for Mojitos Cost?
Rum for mojitos shouldn’t be expensive because it’s usually a white rum that’s made for mixing with cocktails. Therefore, the average price is around $30 to $60. However, some interesting dark rum options can transform the way a mojito tastes if you find the right option. In these cases, expect to pay around $40-$80.
Where Can You Buy Rum for Mojitos?
Rum for mojitos can be found just about anywhere. You can find it at your local liquor store, most restaurants, online liquor suppliers like Speakeasy Co, and just about every bar will have the rum you need for a mojito available. You can also find rum for mojitos online with reputable retailers like Speakeasyco. We carry plenty of white rum options that can help you take your mojitos to the next level.
The Best Rum for Mojitos
The best rum for mojitos will vary based on your flavor palette, so we’ve compiled a list of some unique rum options, along with your traditional Bacardi white rum, to help you enjoy your next mojito. Learn about the best rums for mojitos below.
1. Lorenz Crafted Spirit
MSRP: $35.99
Proof: 86
Tasting Notes: Smooth, hints of cinnamon and apple, and smokey caramel piloncillo
Our Rating: 5
One of the most unique options for a mojito out there is Lorenz Crafted Spirit, made by Clear Water Distilling Co. It’s based on cane sugar, just like most types of rum from the Caribbean region, but it’s more of a sipping rum that pairs well with mojitos due to its unique flavors.
The key difference between this rum and your average Bacardi white is that it was made by the famous Danish explorer Lorenz Peter Freuchen. Freuchen loved rum but wanted white rum to be more enjoyable by itself. This gives the drink more of a sipping flavor profile that can go well in a mojito or even outside of one if you’re in the mood for sipping some straight rum.
What sets this rum apart is its unique flavor. It has a cinnamon-apple taste to it that can change the way you look at a mojito forever. Plus, other flavor notes like créme brûlée help this rum-like option stand out from the rest.
Pros:
- Unique flavor profile and unique rum-like characteristics
- Also good as a sipping rum
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Not the most traditional white rum, and that may shock the taste buds of some
2. Balcones Rumble Rum
MSRP: $49.99
Proof: 94
Tasting Notes: Light fruit cocktail, subtle leathery spice, mint, sweet tea, and slight anise
Our Rating: 4.5
Balcones Rumble Rum is one of the most unique options that we feature on our list both in flavor composition and the distillation process. What makes this rum special is that it combines typical rum elements with Texas-born flavors that change the way you approach rum for mojitos and rum in general.
While it’s a dark rum, it doesn’t have the same flavor profile as other dark rums and still works well in a mojito. In fact, it’s one of the best rum options for mojitos because it also incorporates mint flavors and other fruity flavor notes. This can further enhance a mojito, and we bet that it will give you the best mojito you’ve ever tasted.
It’s also a win-win for people who want a bottle of rum that doesn’t have to be designated solely for mojito use. Its flavor notes are ideal for sipping, and it’s bound to impress some people who don’t usually sip rum. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable dark rum options available.
Pros:
- Minty and fruity flavors pair well with mojitos
- Potent flavors make it tasty enough to enjoy without being mixed in a cocktail
- Great low price
Cons:
- Dark rum might not work for some people who prefer a more traditional mojito flavor
3. Saint Augustine Pot Distilled Rum
MSRP: $49.99
Proof: 90
Tasting Notes: Smooth with slight grassy notes that transition to vanilla, coconut, and brown sugar flavors
Our Rating: 5
Saint Augustine Pot Distilled Rum is one of the best options for mojitos, especially if you’re not a fan of clear rum. It has a golden color with excellent clarity, so you don’t have to worry about a potent taste that overwhelms your mojito. Plus, the golden color and unique flavors can take a basic mojito to the next level with hints of toffee that compliment the minty flavor of a mojito well. Hints of vanilla and other flavors also pair well with the minty flavors you’ll find in a mojito.
What makes Saint Augustine Pot Distilled Rum stand out further is its low cost. It’s one of the most affordable options if you’re looking for a non-white-rum mojito option. Instead of the usual $100 price tag you’ll find with high-end gold or dark rums, Saint Augustine keeps the cost affordable.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Light color
- Notes of vanilla and toffee add flavor to a mojito
Cons:
- The extra flavor additives won’t be for everyone
4. Bacardi 8-Year Reserva Ocho Rum
MSRP: $39.99
Proof: 90
Tasting Notes: Nutmeg, butterscotch, and dried apricots
Our Rating: 3.5
White rum isn’t for everyone, even if darker rums aren’t common in a mojito. For someone who wants to dabble in something different, the Bacardi 8-Year Reserva Ocho Rum is the best choice. While it’s a darker rum that has some potent flavor, it’s not enough to overpower the mojito. Instead, it transforms the mojito into a unique drink that blends minty and sweet flavors with apricot and butterscotch-tasting notes. For some, this is a welcome combination.
That said, Bacardi 8-Year Reserva Ocho Rum is also a good choice for people who don’t usually have dark rum. If it’s your first time trying something different, the flavor won’t overpower you, and you can still incorporate it into a mojito. The only drawback to this rum is that the darker flavor notes aren’t for everyone.
Pros:
- Unique combination of butterscotch and apricot flavors
- Perfect for dark rum drinkers
- Potent enough to alter the taste of a mojito without overpowering it
Cons:
- People who dislike dark rum won’t be a huge fan of this option
Enjoy the Best Rum for Mojitos Today
The best rum for a mojito is the rum that works the beer for you. Typically, a white rum is the best option for a mojito, but for people who want to experience unique and exciting flavors, trying a dark rum with a flavor profile that pairs well with mint and simple sugar can change the way you approach mojitos forever.
The only problem with the dark rum approach is that it’s hard to know what will and won’t work. Thankfully, our list includes some great white rum, dark rum, and even gold rum options to help you get out there and experience mojitos like you never have before. You can also get creative and add one of the best flavored vodkas for even better results.
