We celebrate National Rum Day on August 16 in
the US. The origin of
the word rum is unclear. The name may have derived from
rumbullion meaning "a great tumult or uproar". Some claim that
the name is from the large drinking glasses used by Dutch
seamen known as rum rummers. Other options include
contractions of the words saccharum, latin for sugar, or
arôme, French for aroma.
In current usage, the name used for rum is often based on the
rum's place of origin. For rums from Spanish-speaking locales
the word ron is used. A ron añejo indicates a rum that has
been aged and is often used for premium products. Rhum is the
term used for rums from French-speaking locales, while rhum
vieux is an aged French rum.
Go ahead and sip a bit of rum all day long. Or start today and
make your own spiced rum.
1 (750-mL)
bottle light Rum
1 Vanilla bean
3-inch slice Orange peel, white pith removed
1 Cinnamon stick
2 Allspice berries
4 Cloves
6 Black peppercorns
pinch ground
nutmeg
1 slice fresh
ginger, about the size of a quarter
Add all the ingredients to a wide-mouthed, airtight container and
seal. Let stand for about two days and taste. Strain the spices out
and re-bottle the liquid.
Note - some lower-quality commercial products tend to overplay
the vanilla—cut back on that and the other flavors emerge nicely.