Types of Rum Used in Tiki
Most Tiki drinks are made with rum but you’ll also see spirits such as tequila, gin and whisky in Tiki cocktails. While the classification of rum is not in scope for this article, you will see the following types of rum commonly used in Tiki cocktails:
- White Rum can be unaged and aged then charcoal filtered which gives it a clear colour. It is generally lighter in flavour than darker rums and is the rum of choice for a Daiquiri and a Mojito.
- Rhum Agricole is rum distilled from fresh sugarcane juice not molasses. This type of rum has a freshness to it with a vegetal and earthy character.
- Molasses Rum is a rum that is distilled from fermented molasses.
- Dark Jamaican Rum is a full-bodied rum often pot-distilled and aged for a period of time. It lends big bold flavours to cocktails along with caramel and cocoa notes.
- Demerara Rum is a rich, molasses-based rum with a hint of smoke and caramelised sugar flavour, usually made in Guyana.
- Overproof Rum is generally bottled at cask strength with an ABV higher than 40%. The punchy spirit goes well with fruity cocktails and its high flammability makes it suitable for fire garnish.
Common Tiki Liqueurs, Syrups and Modifiers
Tiki syrups and flavours would have been revolutionary in their time. Using modifiers such as Orgeat in cocktails never existed before Trader Vic. So many of these flavours that bartenders take for granted now would have been first used by Tiki – and one of the first examples with flavours from the kitchen working their way into drinks, long before today’s trend of chef-bartenders.
- Falernum is a key ingredient in tiki cocktails, a rum-based sweet syrup with flavours of lime, almond, cloves, often alcoholic. It adds a zesty, spicy lime twist to drinks. Here’s How to make Falernum
- Orgeat is an almond-based sugar syrup made with orange blossom water added. Orgeat adds a creamy and nutty character to cocktails as well as a silky mouthfeel. Orgeat was first used in cocktails in Trader Vic’s Mai Tai. Refer to How to make Orgeat
- Grenadine is a pomegranate and sugar syrup sometimes flavoured with orange blossom water. Grenadine adds an element of tartness and sweetness to a drink. Here’s a simple recipe on how to make grenadine.
- Oleo Saccharum (meaning ‘oil-sugar’) uses the oils from citrus peels mixed with sugar to produce a bright and complex citrus syrup. Here’s How to make Oleo Saccharum
- Tepache is a Mexican fermented pineapple drink. Not a classic tiki ingredient, but it can be used in place of pineapple juice for a funkier flavour. Here’s How to make Tepache
- Demerara Syrup is a rich, dark sugar syrup that adds more richness and more caramel notes to drinks and complements dark spirits.
- Allspice Dram also known as Pimento Dram, is an allspice flavoured rum liqueur that adds a strong spicy note to cocktails.
- Cream of Coconut is a cream made from the tender flesh of coconuts and blended with natural cane sugar.
- Dry Curaçao/Orange Liqueur is a liqueur traditionally made with bitter oranges from the island of Curaçao and a cognac base. It adds an orange citrus note to drinks and is best used instead of triple sec.
- Tiki Bitters can be bought ready made or you can make your own with cinnamon, allspice, ginger, citrus peel, cardamom and bittering agents.
Tiki Tools
No serious Tikiphile’s bar is complete without a collection of Tiki mugs. You’ll also need these essential bar tools for mixing cocktails and when it comes to Tiki drinks, it helps to have a citrus juicer and a blender. Garnishes include paper drink umbrellas, drink stirrers, swizzle sticks, tropical flowers, mint sprigs, pineapple wedges and Tiki pineapple glasses.
And setting whole pineapples on fire.
If you’re looking to further you knowledge of Tiki, Smugglers Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki, by Martin Cate and Rebecca Cate presents everything from the history of Tiki to cocktail recipes and ingredients and how to bring Tiki into your own home. Trader Vic’s Tiki Party has simple recipes and advice on how to host a Tiki party at home including food recipes.
Popular Tiki Cocktails
Popular Tiki cocktails include the Mai Tai, Pina Colada, Rum Punch, Zombie, Fog Cutter, Planter’s Punch, Three Dots & a Dash, Jungle Bird, Pago Pago and the Painkiller Cocktail.
Tiki cocktails are ideal for pre-batching and serving be it entertaining guests at a house party or at the bar. Stay tuned for How to Batch Tiki Cocktails for a Crowd, coming up in our Tiki series.
Tiki Drink Holidays
There are many occasions and drink holidays throughout the year to celebrate the spirit of Tiki so mark your diaries:
- 2nd February – Donn Beach’s Birthday
- 30 June – National Mai Tai Day
- 10 July – National Pina Colada Day
- 11 July – National Mojito Day
- 19 July – National Daiquiri Day
- 16 August – National Rum Day
- 20 September – National Rum Punch Day
- 10th December – Trader Vic’s Birthday
- International Daiquiri Day (the only 365 calendar day holiday ever on earth!)
The Tiki Series continues with: How to Make Falernum, How to Make Oleo Saccharum, How to Make Orgeat, How to Make Tepache, How to Batch Tiki Cocktails for a Crowd, and more.
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