5 tips for making rum liqueur

The choice of rum should be guided by the type of flavors you want to explore. For example, an agricole rum will offer grassy and fresh notes, while a molasses rum will have a smoother, rounder profile, with nuances of caramel and vanilla.

Here are the different characteristics of the rums available:

• White Rum : Neutral and light, perfect for bringing out the fresh flavors of fruits and spices without adding extra complexity.
• Amber rum : Aged briefly, it brings subtle notes of wood and caramel, ideal for balanced arranged rums with a touch of sweetness.
• Aged Rum : Offers complexity and depth of flavor with rich notes of wood, spices, and dried fruits. Used for sophisticated arrangés.
• Agricultural rum : Distilled from fresh cane juice, it is characterized by herbaceous and floral notes, bringing freshness and character.
• Molasses rum : Rounder and sweeter, with aromas of caramel and vanilla, perfect for gourmet arrangements.

We recommend using a rum around 49° to make your rum arrangé. This will ensure a rum that will taste just like food but will still be easy to drink. Additionally, adding fruit and sugar can lower its alcohol content.

The higher the alcohol content, the more intense and pronounced the flavors will be . A higher alcohol content can also give a warming sensation in the mouth, which can change the perception of flavors. But be careful not to have too high an alcohol content for your rum arrangement, or you risk having a gut injury . Here are the differences between 30, 40 and 50 degree rums:

• 30% alcohol rum : Smoother and less pungent on the palate for a better appreciation of the subtle flavors of fruits and spices. But less flavor extraction.
• 40% alcohol rum : Good balance between flavor extraction and a noticeable alcohol presence without being too dominant.
• Rum with more than 50% alcohol : More pronounced impact on taste, with a stronger alcohol sensation that can overshadow the delicate flavors of the maceration ingredients.

If you want delicious rums to taste, you can see our discovery box of arranged rums .

When choosing the rum to make your rum arrangé, it is essential to consider the ingredients you plan to use in the maceration. For example, for a spice like turmeric, it is recommended to use white rum so that the subtle spice is fully expressed .

🚨 Rum tip : Use seasonal fruit to make a flavorful rum spice.

🚨 Be careful with citrus fruits : Citrus fruits should not be left to macerate for very long because of the zest.

It's important to find a balance between the desired sweetness and the risk of making the drink too sweet . It's recommended to put less than 10% sugar in your rum. At the end of the maceration, you can add more if it's not sweet enough.

🚨 Be careful with sugar : You can add sugar, but you can't remove it.

The choice of sugar is also crucial. Preferably opt for cane sugar, whether powdered or in syrup form . Be careful with syrups, which can make the texture of the rum too oily due to their high sweetness. You can use different types of sugar, such as classic brown sugar, whole muscovado sugar, or demerara sugar.

Honey is an interesting alternative , offering delicate and subtle flavors. You can experiment with different types of honey, from light acacia honey to full-bodied chestnut honey.

By adding a little sugar at the start, you can easily adjust the sweetness of your rum during the maceration process .

Ingredients Recommended amount of sugar / liter of rum

The maceration period for an arranged rum is 3 to 6 months. Fruits, spices, and herbs require more time to infuse their flavors into the rum. But more delicate ingredients like citrus may require a shorter maceration, while more robust ingredients like berries may require more time.

If you prefer a rum with subtle flavors, a shorter maceration period may be sufficient. For more intense and complex flavors, a longer maceration period may be necessary.

🚨 Rum tip : Taste your arranged rum regularly during the maceration process

🚨 Vanilla tip : Vanilla is expressed after 3 months of maceration.

Here's how to store your arranged rum during maceration:

• Use an airtight container
• Have as little air as possible in your bottle
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Stable ambient temperature
• Stir regularly
• Monitor the maceration

Use an airtight glass container, such as a glass bottle with a stopper or a jar, and make sure the container is clean and dry before pouring your rum into it. Be careful with sunlight, as it can alter the flavors and color of your rum.

Avoid significant temperature fluctuations, as this can affect the maceration process. Remember to gently shake your rum container from time to time to ensure even distribution of the ingredients and flavors. This will also help prevent deposits from forming at the bottom of the container.

🚨 Beware of oxidation : It is advisable to filter the bottle if the bottle is not finished and the fruits are in contact with the air.