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Caribbean rum, American cocktail template · Caribbean

Rum Old Fashioned (Aged Rum, Demerara & Bitters)

The Old Fashioned template poured over rum: rich aged rum, a little demerara sugar, a couple dashes of bitters and a big piece of ice. Molasses and vanilla in place of oak — spirit-forward, stirred, and deeply satisfying.

By Table & Traditions Editors

Published July 11, 2026

A rum Old Fashioned over a large ice cube in a rocks glass with an expressed orange peel, warm amber light.

The Old Fashioned was never really about whiskey — it was about drinking a good spirit 'the old-fashioned way,' lightly sweetened and seasoned with bitters. Aged rum takes to that template beautifully: its molasses, vanilla and dried-fruit depth stand in for oak, and demerara sugar echoes the sugarcane it was made from. A natural, and a favourite of rum lovers.

Yield
Makes 1
Prep
4 min
Cook
0 min
Total
About 4 min
Difficulty
Easy

The Rum Old Fashioned proves the Old Fashioned was never really about whiskey. Swap in a rich aged rum and the template shines: molasses, vanilla and dried fruit stand in for oak, demerara sugar echoes the sugarcane, and bitters tie it together.

Pick a rum with depth

Reach for an aged rum that can carry a spirit-forward drink — pot-still Jamaican, aged Demerara, or a good blended aged rum. Skip the sweetened and spiced bottles; you’re adding your own sugar and want to control it.

Demerara is the secret

That raw, molasses-edged cane sugar mirrors the rum’s own origins and gives the drink real body. Start light and adjust.

Stir, don’t shake

Stir with ice for 20–30 seconds, strain over one big cube, and express an orange peel over the top. It’s the Old Fashioned family template — change the base spirit and you can build one from almost anything.

Ingredients

Makes
1
  • 60 ml (2 oz) aged rum A rich, pot-still or blended aged rum with real depth. Avoid over-sweetened rums, since you're adding your own sugar.
  • 7.5 ml (1/2 tbsp) demerara or rich simple syrup Demerara's molasses note matches rum perfectly. Start light — you can always add more.
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters A dash of orange bitters alongside is lovely with rum.
  • orange peel, to express and garnish
  • 1 large ice cube

Method

Tap a step’s number to check it off as you go.

  1. Add the rum, demerara syrup and bitters to a mixing glass with ice and stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.

    Why: Stirring, not shaking, keeps a spirit-forward drink silky and clear; the slow dilution rounds the rum.

  2. Strain over one large ice cube in a rocks glass.

    Why: A single big cube chills the drink while melting slowly, so it stays strong rather than watering down.

  3. Express an orange peel over the top, rub it around the rim, and drop it in.

    Why: The orange oils lift the rum's vanilla and dried-fruit notes and add aroma to every sip.

A quick, anonymous tap — no review needed.

Variations

  • Spiced

    Use a spiced rum, or add a tiny pinch of grated nutmeg or cinnamon, for a cool-weather version.

  • Split base

    Combine a funky Jamaican rum with a softer aged rum for extra complexity.

  • The Old Fashioned family

    Swap the base — whiskey for the original, agave spirit for an Oaxaca, brandy for a Wisconsin-style.

Serving & Storage

An after-dinner sipper. The molasses depth makes it a fine match for chocolate and rich desserts.

Pairs with: Dark chocolate, Bread pudding, Aged cheese, Grilled pineapple.

Storage: Make to order and serve immediately over fresh ice; a stirred drink is best the moment it's strained.

Nutrition

Per serving (1 drink (~75 ml))

Calories
185
Protein
0 g
Carbs
8 g
Fat
0 g
Fiber
0 g
Sugar
7 g
Sodium
0 mg

Estimated using standard ingredient data. Values vary with brands and substitutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rum makes the best Old Fashioned?

A rich aged rum with genuine depth — pot-still Jamaican, an aged Demerara, or a good blended aged rum. Avoid heavily sweetened or spiced-and-sweet rums, because you're adding your own measured sugar and want to control the sweetness.

Why demerara sugar instead of white?

Demerara is a raw cane sugar with a molasses edge that mirrors the rum's own origins, adding warmth and body. White sugar or plain simple syrup works, but demerara makes a noticeably richer drink.

Should I shake it?

No — stir it. Shaking aerates and clouds a spirit-forward drink and chips the ice too fast. Stirring with ice for 20–30 seconds chills and gently dilutes it while keeping it silky and clear.

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Further reading