From Heritage To Highball: The Evolution Of Rum In India

The rum story of India reflects a transformation from a spirit associated with colonial rule to a trendy drink that is now an essential part of the country's vibrant nightlife culture. This love affair between Indians and rum is, though, a very recent one, but the one that has gained momentum quickly. So let's take a look at the fascinating evolution journey of rum in India, which begins as a heritage drink to a highball classic. 

The Origin of Rum In India 

The history of Indian rum goes back to the 18th century, which is during the British colonial times. At that time, Bengal had sugar refineries that met the demand in the UK. The raw material used for rum distillation was Molasses, which is a by-product of sugar production. 

Early Indian rum was sometimes made using jaggery, a traditional and unrefined sugar. Its unique flavors impressed some British officials, who considered it superior to European brandy. However, due to the heavy taxes imposed by the British, Indian rum struggled to gain a foothold in the export market.

Old Monk, the famous classic Indian rum known for its sweet caramel and spice notes, became popular in the 1950s. It was known as an easy-to-drink and very affordable drink, making it popular without any advertisements or marketing needed. 

Also Read: Kingfisher – Soar High With Variants, Price, And History

Modern Day Evolution

In the Indian market, rum was always seen as a beginner’s drink and was less popular than whiskey and gin. But now, you can see the image of rum gradually changing, thanks to craft distillers and younger drinkers. 

They have been successfully experimenting by mixing rum into new cocktails. Apart from this, they are also making interesting versions of rum, which are lighter on the taste palette. These new versions or types of rum are made using local jaggery and sugarcane. 

One of the most popular cocktail styles that has been growing in India very rapidly is the ‘highball’. In this cocktail style, rum is mixed with fresh flavors like ginger and lime and soda. 

This shows how rum is not just a heavy, sweet drink that people associate most with drinking during winters to keep themselves warm. It changes the definition of rum to a drink that can be lively, fresh, and can be tried throughout the year. 

Also Read: Social Drinking Without The Pressure: How To Say No And Still Have Fun

Variants Of Rum

There are many variants of the classic Rum based on their flavor profile, aging process, and more. 

White Rum

Dark Rum

Gold Rum

Spiced Rum

Aged Rum

Flavored Rum

Premium Rum

Craft Rum

But do you know why these are still relevant? The very first reason is its affordability. Anyone can buy this supreme quality rum with premium taste at affordable rates. Next is the fact that ever since its launch in 1954, the aging process and the recipe of this spirit have remained fundamentally unchanged. These variants are perfect for everything from neat sipping to adding flavors in cocktails, making it still the first choice of many! 

Summing Up

The story of rum in India is one of a traditional mass-market dark rum with colonial roots evolving into a craft-focused industry that is dynamic and modern. The highball cocktail highlights the drink as something fresh, light, and fun. A drink that was traditionally known as a heavy and winter-centric one is turning into a light, fresh drink with local flavors. This is how the story flowed. So now go and grab your rum drinks!