Alcohol-free gin is not the only non-alcoholic spirit drink. The Blue Dolphin Store is increasingly receiving more orders of this alcohol-free spirit. Not only because drinking habits have changed but also because the taste of quality alcohol-free rum is, without a doubt, a pleasure to the palate. Non-alcoholic rum offers an attractive option for those who wish to enjoy the taste and experience of this Caribbean drink without the harmful effects of alcohol. Welcome to the future of alcohol-free drinks.
Alcohol-free rum offers great versatility, as it is the base for a wide variety of cocktails, making it an attractive option for those who enjoy mixed drinks. Manufacturers of de-alcoholised rum have worked to develop flavours and aromatic profiles similar to traditional rum, making it possible to create non-alcoholic cocktails that resemble classics such as the mojito or daiquiri. Or the wildly popular Cuba Libre, the basic mix of rum and cola, a cocktail originally from Havana. The American forces that collaborated with Cuba during the Spanish-American war regularly mixed rum and cola and called this drink Cuba Libre, in honour of the battle cry of the Cuban troops.
The best alcohol-free rum
Rum comes from sugar cane, which is why it has that intense, slightly syrupy taste that makes it ideal for non-alcoholic cocktails. These are our recommendations if you want to buy alcohol-free rum :
- Siegfried Wonderoak is a alcohol-free rum that gives a warm and aromatic flavour to cocktails. Nutmeg and oak provide full, rounded notes and make it perfect for a non-alcoholic Cuba Libre.
- Lyre’s White Cane is the de-alcoholised rum created in the image of white rum, gently aged. An alcohol-free spirit with a generous taste of oak and sugar cane, with notes of toasted nuts and citrus. In 2020 it won several awards in the San Francisco World Spirits competition. It is ideal for mojitos, that other Cuban drink that has conquered the rest of the world. Mojito is derived from the West African word mojo, a cloth bag with magic spices and magic objects; so mojito would mean “little magic”. It’s even more magical if you make it with de-alcoholised rum and avoid all the nasty effects of a hangover.
If you want a ready-to-drink non-alcoholic mojito, try ISH Mojito, a ready-made alcohol-free mojito made with ISH Caribbean Spice rum, mint and lime. A delicious and refreshing drink without a drop of alcohol.
How is alcohol-free rum made?
The production of de-alcoholised rum involves a process similar to that of traditional rum, with the difference that the alcohol content is removed. How is this achieved? Well, the process of making rum without alcohol takes place in four stages:
Fermentation
The process begins with the fermentation of a raw material rich in sugars, such as sugar cane or molasses. These sugars are converted into alcohol by the action of yeasts. However, in the case of 0% alcohol rum, yeast strains are used that produce very low levels of alcohol or controlled fermentation methods are used that limit alcohol production.
Distillation
After fermentation, the resulting liquid, known as ‘mash’, is subjected to a distillation process. Distillation takes place in stills or distillation columns, where the components of the must, including alcohol, aromatics and other elements, are separated. In the case of non-alcoholic rum, a special distillation process is applied that allows the separation of the alcohol without removing the compounds that give the rum its flavour and aroma.
Alcohol removal
Once the must has been distilled, the alcohol is removed. There are different methods to do this, such as low-temperature evaporation, reverse osmosis or membrane filtration. These methods allow the alcohol to be extracted from the liquid without significantly affecting the rum’s characteristic flavours and aromas. This process removes any traces of ethanol or methanol, as well as other impurities found in regular rums, such as ethyl acetate and esters.
Flavouring and ageing
After the alcohol has been removed, the resulting liquid can undergo flavouring processes to add the desired flavour and aromatic profiles. This is achieved by adding natural extracts, spices, herbs or other ingredients that mimic the typical flavours of traditional rum. In addition, some varieties of alcohol-free rums may undergo a process of ageing in oak barrels, similar to that of alcoholic rum, to further develop their flavour and character.
