If you’ve got a taste for rum-arkable drinks, you NEED to know about the day that celebrates this beloved spirit – the World Rum Day!
The day is celebrated on the second Saturday of July each year, with World Rum Day 2025 occurring on July 12. The day marks the celebration of the world's best rum and rum-making distilleries.
This World Rum Day, here’s team unsobered shedding some light on the history and celebration of this day!
World Rum Day was first celebrated in 2019, making it a relatively new occasion for rum enthusiasts. This day was conceived by Paul Jackson, a well-known spirits writer and the editor of both the World Rum Guide and The Gin Guide.
The day falls in the month of July – the same month when days like National Daiquiri Day, National Piña Colada Day, and National Mojito Day are celebrated.
It is said that rum originated in the West Indies, with records mentioning its production in Barbados in the late 1600s. While the drink was initially called ‘kill-devil’ and ‘rumbullion’, it later came to be known as ‘rum’.
The drink is also linked to the slave trade. Slaves from Africa were traded to the West Indies for molasses, which was then turned into rum in New England. This rum was eventually traded back to Africa in exchange for more slaves.
Surprisingly, mentions of a similar drink – a sugarcane wine called Sidhu, are found in ancient Sanskrit texts. The drink was a luxurious commodity, a drink used in culinary traditions, rituals, as well as recreational purposes. The drink also finds a few mentions in Indian mythological texts like the Ramayana.
Rum is a drink that comes with plenty of myths despite being a beloved drink across the globe. So, here’s team unsobered busting some rum myths for you on the occasion of World Rum Day 2025!
While we agree that there are plenty of low-quality rums in the streets, rum in itself isn’t always of bad quality. There are many rum brands across the world like Appleton Estate, Mount Gay, and Bacardi that are offering premium rum to rum connoisseurs across the world. Made with rigorous quality controls and highest-quality ingredients, these rums pass the vibe check without being made in a ‘cheap’ way. So, don’t assume that all rum is cheap!
It’s true that rum is made from sugarcane molasses but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is produced only in regions where sugarcane is grown.
While rum production takes place extensively in the Caribbean and Americas, there are many regions across the world apart from these regions where rum harvesting takes place.
Plus, thanks to advancement in technology, molasses can be transported to almost any corner of the world. This opens new avenues for rum production – virtually possible almost anywhere in the world.
The production of rum predominantly in the tropical regions of the Americas and Caribbean has set a myth that rum is only a summer drink. We agree that rum is a popular base for summer-y Mai Tais, Rum Mojito, and other cocktails, the drink isn’t just meant to be enjoyed in the summers.
The humble liquor can be enjoyed across seasons – be it a sultry summer day or a cold winter night.
If you wish to know more about such rum myths, you must read our article on 7 Rum Myths That Will Shock You!
While World Rum Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of July, the United States celebrates its own National Rum Day on August 16.
Whether you’re from the US or any other part of the world, the day makes for concocting some delicious rum cocktails or savoring them at your favorite pub.
So, here are three delicious cocktails to make or have in case you were wondering how to celebrate National Rum Day (or World Rum Day).
The queen of summer cocktails is here – and she likes a little splash of rum! Piña Colada is a beloved summer cocktail that’s made with light rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and a dash of lime.
The result is a creamy, sweet and tangy concoction that’s perfect for when you’re lazily lounging on a beach or having the time of your life at a tropical getaway. The drink is easy to make, delicious, and perfect for anyone who doesn’t love the robust taste of neat rum.
No, we’re not talking about the monsoon weather, we’re talking about a drink that’s perfect for this kind of weather. A Dark & Stormy is made with just two ingredients – dark rum and ginger beer/ginger ale.
Make it extra refreshing by adding ice cubes and/or lime wedges. Depending on how cold you like your drink, you can easily have it on both hot and cold days and we highly recommend trying it out yourselves!
If there could be summer in a glass, it’d definitely be in the form of a Mai Tai! The tiki-style cocktail is made by combining light rum, pineapple and orange juices, grenadine, orange curacao, and orgeat.
Topped off with fresh sprigs of mint and a few lime slices, the drink doesn’t just refresh your taste buds, it refreshes your soul!
We hope you enjoyed reading through our article on World Rum Day 2025. With the day falling on 12 July, 2025, we recommend celebrating this occasion with your friends as you grab a few rum drinks. Make them at home or hop into a neighborhood bar, the choice is yours!
We’ve got you covered with its origins, common rum myths, and some popular rum cocktails. Time to put that information to use and celebrate this day with yum rum by your side!
Happy World Rum Day in advance!
While it has not been proven whether rum is the oldest liquor to ever exist, there are mentions of a sugarcane-based drink similar to today’s rum in India’s ancient texts. This drink, called Sidhu, was then used for medicinal as well as culinary purposes.
Liking rum or whisky is a personal preference and is subjective to one’s taste. Note that rum is slightly sweeter in taste than whisky which is more robust and can boast of smoky, peaty notes.
Yes! Be it rum or any other spirit, you will get a hangover if consumed in large quantities in a short amount of time.
