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Why rum is reclaiming its throne in American bars
Once overshadowed by the dominance of bourbon and vodka, rum is now reclaiming its throne in American bars, fueled by a resurgence of craft culture, global influence, and consumer curiosity. In 2025, a growing number of drinkers are exploring ways to drink rum in the USA that go beyond sugary mixers or vacation piña coladas. From sipping rums aged for decades to inventive cocktails that merge Southern traditions with island flair, rum is being treated with the reverence once reserved for whiskey.
This shift is largely attributed to younger, more experimental consumers who are gravitating toward complex, story-rich spirits. According to the 2025 American Beverage Trends Report, rum sales are up by 18% compared to 2023, with spiced, aged, and artisanal rums leading the charge. The emergence of American rum bars in cities like Charleston, San Diego, and Brooklyn reflects this broader cultural pivot toward authenticity, provenance, and craftsmanship.
As drinkers rediscover the depth and diversity of this sugarcane-derived spirit, they’re not just sipping—they’re engaging. They’re asking how to drink rum properly, exploring pairing options, and even taking guided rum flights. The following are five distinct and expertly crafted styles that represent the best ways to drink rum in the USA in 2025.
Top 5 most loved ways to drink rum in the USA
1. Spiced rum old-fashioned with a Southern twist
The Old Fashioned has long been the darling of American whiskey lovers, but in Charleston and New Orleans, bartenders are giving this classic cocktail a spiced rum makeover. Instead of bourbon, they’re using aged Caribbean-style spiced rums infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
At The Barrelhouse Revival in Charleston, mixologist Lyle Devereaux uses a locally distilled spiced rum aged in American oak, paired with sorghum syrup and bitters made from smoked pecan. It’s garnished with a flamed orange peel and a candied pecan—an homage to Southern hospitality in a glass.
This reinterpretation appeals to those seeking the best rum cocktails that balance tradition and innovation. The warm spice notes evoke Southern desserts, while the classic Old Fashioned structure keeps it familiar for whiskey converts.
2. Rum neat — the sipping culture of the coasts
In coastal enclaves like Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle, the culture of sipping rum neat has taken root, influenced by both Latin American traditions and the growing popularity of single-origin spirits. This isn’t about shots or sugary drinks—it’s a contemplative experience akin to tasting a rare scotch.
At Casa Caña in Miami’s Wynwood district, guests are guided through “sip sessions” where they sample premium aged rums from Haiti, Barbados, and even Hawaii. Rum aged for 12 to 21 years, served at room temperature, reveals complex notes of molasses, leather, and tropical fruit.
This trend underscores a broader appreciation for how to drink rum properly. As connoisseur culture deepens, consumers are gravitating toward artisanal rums with terroir-driven flavor profiles and aging techniques. It’s no longer niche—rum neat is a marker of sophistication.
3. Tiki cocktails reimagined: American mixology meets island flavour
Tiki culture has always celebrated rum, but in 2025, the kitsch has given way to serious mixology. Gone are the syrup-laden punch bowls. Instead, bartenders are crafting tiki cocktails with fresh ingredients, small-batch rums, and a respect for the Polynesian-inspired roots of the movement.
In Portland’s Mahalo Room, head bartender Keoni Tam uses navy-strength Jamaican rum with fresh yuzu juice, falernum, and a lemongrass mist for a cocktail he calls “The Silent Lagoon.” Served in minimalist glassware with a dehydrated hibiscus garnish, it’s a tiki drink for the modern era.
This trend thrives in American rum bars that view tiki not as a gimmick but as a platform for creativity and global fusion. The best rum cocktails in this category are often collaborations between distilleries and chefs, integrating ingredients like pandan, turmeric, or smoked chili.
4. Dark rum with cold brew — a millennial favourite
The espresso martini craze may have peaked, but 2025 has ushered in its deeper, bolder cousin: dark rum with cold brew. This caffeinated concoction has exploded in popularity among millennials and Gen Z, who are embracing bolder flavors and functional beverages.
At The Bitter Bean in Brooklyn, baristas moonlight as bartenders, blending single-origin cold brew with molasses-heavy dark rum and a touch of vanilla bean syrup. The drink is served over a large cube of coffee ice and dusted with cacao nibs.
The bitterness of the coffee offsets the rum’s inherent sweetness, creating a layered drink that’s energizing yet relaxing. It’s particularly popular during brunch hours or as an after-dinner digestif. For many younger drinkers, this is one of the most approachable ways to drink rum in the USA, especially when transitioning from sugary coffee drinks to more grown-up options.
5. Barrel-aged rum flights in craft bars
Rum flights—especially barrel-aged varieties—are becoming a staple at high-end cocktail bars and speakeasies. Much like whiskey tasting, these curated samplings allow patrons to explore aging methods, regional styles, and rare bottlings in one sitting.
In Denver’s The Rumsmith Society, patrons can choose from curated flights that compare American oak-aged Puerto Rican rum, sherry cask-finished Guatemalan rum, and even Oregon-distilled rum matured in Pinot Noir barrels. Each pour is accompanied by tasting notes and a bite-sized food pairing.
This drinking style attracts both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers eager to learn how to drink rum properly. It has elevated rum into the realm of connoisseurship, where flavor complexity, mouthfeel, and finish matter just as much as origin.
Regional rum-drinking preferences across the USA
America’s rum renaissance isn’t uniform—it’s deeply regional. On the West Coast, cities like San Diego and San Francisco are gravitating toward clean, white rums used in minimalistic cocktails with citrus or herbal infusions. Think rum with Meyer lemon and sage or rum martinis with sea salt foam.
The South, with its rich culinary heritage, leans heavily on spiced and molasses-heavy rums, often served in warm cocktails or heritage-style recipes. Atlanta’s Ritual Rum Room is known for its “butter-rum cornbread toddy,” served in cast-iron mugs with a brown butter rim.
In New England, especially Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the rum culture has deep historical roots. Locally distilled colonial-style rums are seeing a revival, often served neat or in simple punches with seasonal fruit syrups and nutmeg.
Florida, influenced by Caribbean and Latin cultures, leads the charge in rum neat and aged rum appreciation. Meanwhile, Midwestern cities like Chicago and Minneapolis are embracing rum in craft and hybrid cocktails—dark rum meets amaro, agricole rum with beet shrub.
These regional patterns reflect how ways to drink rum in the USA are as diverse as the nation itself.
Best US distilleries and bars redefining rum culture in 2025
Several American distilleries are spearheading this new wave of rum appreciation. Calypso Creek Distillery in North Carolina is producing small-batch rums from molasses sourced in the South, aged in charred bourbon barrels for a smoky finish. Their “Appalachian Gold” is now a favorite in upscale bars from Raleigh to Austin.
In Hawaii, Molokai Spirits uses native sugarcane varietals and volcanic spring water to create a terroir-driven agricole rum that’s gaining national acclaim. Their barrel-aged expressions are becoming staples in American rum bars known for curated menus.
Brooklyn’s Red Hook Rums offers a vertical tasting program in their taproom, showcasing the evolution of a single rum aged in different barrels—French oak, port cask, and charred new oak. This approach has inspired other urban distilleries to experiment and innovate.
As for bars, the Cane & Cask Club in Chicago is redefining the modern rum bar. With over 150 global rums on the menu and a “rum pairing dinner series,” it’s become a pilgrimage site for rum enthusiasts. Their mixologists have also published one of the most downloaded cocktail eBooks of 2025, focusing on the best rum cocktails and proper rum etiquette.
Final sip — what makes rum so versatile today?
So, why is rum thriving in 2025?
It’s not just about nostalgia or the tropical escapism of tiki bars. Rum’s versatility lies in its flavor diversity, cultural resonance, and adaptability. Whether you enjoy it spiced and stirred, aged and sipped, or mixed with cold brew, the ways to drink rum in the USA today reflect a sophisticated, evolving palate.
Rum accommodates tradition and innovation in equal measure. It can be the backbone of a complex cocktail or the star of a solo performance. With growing interest in provenance, craftsmanship, and storytelling, consumers are embracing rum not just as a drink—but as an experience.
And as American rum bars and distilleries continue to push boundaries, 2025 may well be remembered as the year rum finally took its rightful place at the top shelf of American spirits culture.
Disclaimer: Consumption of liquor is injurious to health and Business Upturn does not promote or advertise the featured brand(s) or suggest ingesting liquor through this article. Business Upturn does not guarantee the accuracy of information in this article.