Rum Food Pairings to Elevate Your Experience

Brugal 1888 rum is an exceptional sipping rum. It can be enjoyed on its own and also make an excellent accompaniment to food. Traditionally wine is most associated with food pairings, but there is a whole world of taste and flavours to discover by exploring the world of rum.

Pairing rum with food is an art which when mastered can elevate any event or occasion, whether an intimate gathering or the perfect cocktail party. Surprise and delight your guests with careful combinations of ingredients which elevate the tasting experience of both the food, and our very special Brugal 1888 rum.

Learn how to master the art of rum and food pairing with our guide on what ingredients complement our rum.

Try this when rum pairing

TRY serving up chocolate truffles – they work wonderfully with the notes of white American oak.

TRY chocolate – ideally with about 62% cocoa, which will complement the woody sweetness of the rum.

TRY pairing mango or forest fruits with a Brugal 1888 tasting – they accentuate the fruit notes of the sherry casks we use to expertly age our rum.

TRY serving up fatty meat or fish – the likes of beef lowers the perception of the astringency (slight acidity or bitterness) of rums where aging in white American oak is significantly present.

Things to avoid when rum pairing

AVOID spicy food – heat does not work well with alcohol in general and will reduce the impact of our rum’s flavours.

AVOID fast-food style plates – remember that every part of the experience of a rum tasting works to curate a premium vibe.

There are a number of tastes that perfectly elevate the complex notes and aromas of rum like Brugal 1888. Look for intense flavours that bring out the best of different profiles present in the rum. The following suggestions work wonderfully with our rum, whether you’re sipping it straight or serving up one of our nearly neat cocktails. Here are some recipes to try:

Get zesty

Orange zest is the perfect citrus companion to the fruitiness of rum. Spray into the glass to refresh and use any remaining peel as a garnish. This works particularly with a Negroni Dominicana. To reduce wastage, combine the leftover orange flesh with chopped fennel and fresh rocket to make a salad for your guests. A simple dressing of olive oil, mustard and a squeeze of orange juice will tie everything together beautifully.

Luxury chocolate

Chocolate is the ultimate luxurious accompaniment to the woody sweetness of rum. Aim for around 62% cocoa to achieve the perfect balance of sweet and bitter. Break up your chocolate into small bowls, and leave for your guests to nibble on throughout the evening.

 Fatty meats

Fatty meats balance the tannins in your rum. Try small plates of smoky barbequed meatballs, crispy pork belly or grilled lamb with a drizzle of mint sauce to elevate the experience.

 Chocolate dipped figs with sea salt

 Bring out the fruitiness of Brugal rum by serving alongside this delicious dipped treat. The bitterness of dark chocolate combined with the soft and subtle sweetness of the figs is brought together perfectly with a sprinkling of saltiness. Dip half fig slices in chocolate melted in the microwave or over boiling water before adding a pinch of flaky sea salt. They should set within in 30 minutes in the fridge.

Truffle is king

Chocolate truffles when served with Brugal 1888 rum highlight the white American oak notes imbued during the rum aging process. The higher the cocoa percentage, the better. You could even try making your own truffles by combining chocolate, heavy cream, butter and a little vanilla extract – coat them with chopped walnuts or desiccated coconut for added texture.

By following these flavor guidelines, any occasion can be elevated through the best food paired with rum by following these precise flavour notes. Next, discover more about how to drink sipping rum.