Rum

Rum is an alcoholic spirit distilled from cane sugar or molasses. It is strongly associated with the islands of the Caribbean, where sugar cane is grown in large quantities. Rum was imported in large quantities from the British Caribbean colonies and it displaced gin as the dominant spirit in England during the 18th century. It became closely associated the the British Royal Navy and from 1655 until August 1, 1970, sailors were supplied with a daily rum ration. Aside from its morale-boosting effects, the ration also had a practical purpose: adding the rum to water, producing grog, made the water safer to drink. Many Royal Navy ships still carry rum, although this is now largely more for ceremonial purposes than for consumption.

After the death of Admiral Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar, the Admiral's body was brought back to England for burial, a highly unusual undertaking, as most sailors of the time were buried at sea. To prevent Nelson's body decomposing on route, so the legend tells, it was placed in a barrel of rum. The ship's sailors, however, took sly tots of Nelson's rum as the ship traveled home. When it arrived in England, the barrel was found to be dry. This tale has led to a nickname for rum of Nelson's blood.

Rum in the Americas

Rum was associated with black slavery as part of the "Triangle Trade". Rum was one of the goods shipped to New England, Europe and African as part of this trade pattern.

During the fad for Tiki restaurants and entertainment from the 1930s through the 1950s, numerous drinks based on rum were created and became popular throughout the world. Among them are the Mai tai, the Zombie, and the Navy Grog.