The 4 best places to celebrate National Rum Day

There’s no place better in the world to imbibe rum than near the warm waters and white sands of the Caribbean. After all, the Caribbean islands are where rum was invented. Made from sugary molasses, rum was born out of colonial times when sugar cane fields covered most of the Caribbean. To this day these islands produce most of the world’s rum and many of the best brands still call the Caribbean home. In case you need another reason to book a Caribbean vacation, here are four rum-inspired travel destinations to whet your appetite:

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The ruggad east coast of Barbados and the famous ‘tea cup’ rock formations of Bathsheba | Photo courtesy of  GettingStamped.com

Barbados

According to legend, Barbados is known as the first place rum was ever produced. Even today, rum is its top export. Barbados is best known for Mount Gay Rum which isstill aged traditionally in wooden barrels and hand blended. Tours can be arranged to the distillery which is just outside the main city of Bridgetown. As good as the rum is, however, there is a lot more to the country than just booze. Barbados is the furthest eastern island in the West Indies and contains two very different shorelines. On the east the surf is rough and the shore is peppered with unique tea cup-shaped boulders and even a few pink sand beaches. The west is where the calm Caribbean sea begins and has picturesque turquoise waters and white sand. Be sure to visit Oistins Fish Market on a Friday night. You’ll find some of the best fish of your life at the market, and of course, a few rum drinks!

Get lost in the colorful pastels of the old Spanish style buildings in Old San Juan | Photo courtesy of GettingStamped.com

Puerto Rico

Home to possibly the best-known rum brand in the world, Bacardi, Puerto Rico is a major player in the rum game. Sip the national cocktail, the ever popular piña colada, while taking in the sights of Old San Juan. A short drive outside of the city is Casa Bacardi, where visitors can sample the beverage and see how it’s made. In addition to the steady supply of rum, Old San Juan is a charming little quarter full of beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. For sunset, grab a drink and head to the old fortress walls to watch the sun sink into the sea. After dark, sample delicious Puerto Rican cocktails in one of the many bars around the city.

Havana, Cuba is home of the daiquiri and a hangout of Ernest Hemingway | Photo courtesy of  GettingStamped.com

Havana, Cuba

Although trade embargoes make it tough to get a taste of Cuban rum stateside, rum culture is strong in Cuba and Havana Club is the rum of choice. Cuba is home to at least three major rum-based drinks including the daiquiri, the mojito and, of course, the Cuba Libre. Sip the simple, but effective Cuba Libre made with rum, cola,and a healthysquirt of lime juice. For a more refined rum drink head to La Floridita in the heart of Old Havana to taste the classic daiquiri where it was born. For a drink coupled with even more action, dance the night away with a mojito in hand listening to lively Cuban music found all around the city. Traveling to Cuba for rum is worth the trip alone.

Catch some of the relaxed vibes in Jamaica | Photo courtesy of GettingStamped.com

Jamaica

Nestled into the valleys of rural Jamaica in St. Elizabeth parish is a little place called Appleton Estates. Rum connoisseurs will know the name. Tours of the distillery can be arranged to sample the wares of Appleton Estates’ famous copper kettles. However, they aren’t the only rum on the island. Jamaica has a wide assortment of rums to keep the good vibes rolling. The drink of choice among both locals and visitors is the colorful rum punch made with a rainbow of different fruit juices. If the rum isn’t enough to put you in a good mood while on the island, then bring a glass down to the beach. The white sand and aqua blue waters are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Tagged: Caribbean