As is the case with any spirit, there is no right or wrong season for enjoying rum. But when Jack Frost starts nipping at our noses, and Daiquiris and Mojitos aren’t quite fitting the mood, we tend to seek out rich cocktails to sip by the fireplace while we defrost. The good news is that there are rums for those occasions too.
A Coquito or boozy eggnog with rum? Yes please. A festive holiday punch spiked with a multi-rum blend? Say less.
There are countless applications on and off the beaten path. And thankfully, BACARDÍ’s got you covered this holiday season for whatever rum drinks might be in the works.
Whether it be the smooth BACARDÍ Superior, the oak-kissed BACARDÍ Gold, or the rich BACARDÍ Ocho, every expression in the brand’s portfolio is built with versatility and approachability in mind. That’s why bartenders consistently come back to it and cook up creative cocktails. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out what the pros themselves have to say about why they reach for BACARDÍ when building their holiday cocktail menus — and how they like to mix it.
“BACARDÍ Ocho is hands-down one of my favorite rums to use during the holidays. It’s aged so you get those rich, warm notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and oak — and the finish has this beautiful baking spice vibe that’s perfect for winter cocktails. Delightful flavors note adds to that balance of caramelized flavors, making each sip feel like a little holiday treat.” —Carolina Gonzalez, beverage director, Chicago
“BACARDÍ is my go-to rum for the holiday season because of its incredible versatility and timeless appeal. Whether it’s a splash of BACARDÍ in hot coffee, a festive Queen’s Park Swizzle, or sipping BACARDÍ Ocho on ice by the beach, it always fits the moment. The range of expressions from light and bright to rich and complex means there’s a perfect BACARDÍ for every occasion. It’s the kind of spirit that makes even the simplest moments feel celebratory.” —Chacha Suwincha, beverage director, NYC
“Rum and the holidays go hand in hand. BACARDÍ Ocho is one of my favorite rums to use when trying to create holiday cocktails. It works phenomenally in a Coquito or eggnog. The toasted coconut notes, the smooth velvety mouthfeel, and the notes of baking spices and vanilla it has from being aged for eight years allow this rum to shine in these creamy and rich cocktails. Many rum cocktails will be made with a blend of rums to get the most interesting spectrum of flavors, and I have found BACARDÍ expressions are a solid backbone to use with agricoles or funkier rums in a holiday punch. BACARDÍ is also focused on sustainability and helping its community on the island of Puerto Rico so presenting BACARDÍ on our holiday menu is something we can be proud of.” —Elias Kassner, general manager, San Jose, Calif.
“BACARDÍ Superior is incredibly bright. A lot of times, holiday menus can get a bit heavy, but BACARDÍ Superior will brighten up any cocktail with its notes of almonds and fruit. I love it in a Coquito.” —Ben Yabrow, head bartender, NYC
“We utilize BACARDÍ Ocho a lot at my bar because it blends well in so many different cocktails. It is quality-made rum that spends just the right amount of time in barrel to give it a beautifully rich character with vanilla and baking spice notes that easily play in most holiday-themed drinks. Some go-to drinks around this season I like to incorporate it into would be a Coquito, Rum Toddy, or a Rum Old Fashioned. I tend to use it in flip or nog-style drinks (full egg) because the rum can stand up to the weight of a full egg while still remaining the star of the show.” —Jeremy Barrett, bar owner, Chicago
“When I was creating the recipe for the Feliz Navi Daddy, I needed a rum that was tropical but also had the ability to pair with seasonal flavors. The main ingredient for this drink is a mango and Earl Grey tea syrup. I’ve always found that BACARDÍ Ocho has a really nice warm tropical note — almost like a brûléed pineapple. That, along with the spice notes coming from the aging process, makes it a perfect fit for this type of cocktail.” —Miguel Salehi, bar manager, San Francisco
“BACARDÍ Superior shows its versatility when creating a menu. Its aroma may make you think of tropical drinks and inspire you to make a Mojito or a Daiquiri, but its creamy texture and fresh, dry finish make it a great candidate for stirred cocktails too. I encourage people to swap it in for other spirits in their favorite stirred classics. I have made several Sangrias with BACARDÍ Superior on a whim when making ‘dealer’s choice’ drinks at the bar.” —Nigal Vann, head bartender, Chicago
“Whether you’re looking for the perfect little sipper or a smooth addition to amplify the baking spices in your eggnog or dessert, I think BACARDÍ Ocho should be in your mug.” —Erin Birmingham, bar manager, NYC
“I feel like rum gets overlooked on a lot of cocktail menus — unless it’s tiki, of course — but there’s so much depth in the category. I’ve noticed it’s often treated as more of a dessert ingredient, but rums like BACARDÍ have these beautiful toasted nut and warm spice notes that balance so well with tropical fruit and citrus. They really shine in spirit-forward cocktails, especially on winter menus. It’s a great way to offer something bold without it being overly sweet or heavy.” —Rachelle Merlo, beverage consultant, Oakland, Calif.
This article is sponsored by Bacardi Rum.
