For pirates and Tiki bar lovers, right this moment is a vital event. Nationwide Rum Day (Sunday, August 16, 2026) celebrates the candy and spicy alcohol present in piña coladas, zombies, and mojitos.
Let’s check out some historical past earlier than we dive into the offers.
How rum is made
There are various completely different varieties of rum, however all of them begin with sugarcane. As soon as harvested, the sugarcane is reworked into one of many base elements for the liquor: molasses, cane juice, or cane syrup.
Subsequent is the fermentation course of the place water and yeast are added to the combo. This new combination is distilled by warmth.
The quantity of occasions this happens relies on the kind of rum. Some rums are additionally aged in oak barrels whereas others go straight to the bottle.
A quick historical past of rum
Trendy rum as we know it today has an unsavory historical past.
It dates again to the seventeenth century and the enlargement of sugarcane manufacturing and enslaved labor within the Caribbean. Someplace alongside the road, it was found that molasses might be fermented.
These early concoctions have been crude and powerful. They have been named “kill-devil” or “rumbullion.” The latter was finally shortened to rum.
Pirates discovered to loot the liquor from service provider ships.
They weren’t the one ones who appreciated the beverage. Colonial America beloved rum. It was cheaper and simpler to get than beer or brandy.
Colonists even started distilling their very own. They balked when England tried to tax molasses, however received the final giggle there when profitable the Revolutionary Battle.
Rum has continued to evolve through the years and today is available in mild, amber, darkish, spiced, or aged varieties.
Nationwide Rum Day offers
Earlier than the rum runs out (which might break Jack Sparrow’s coronary heart), right here’s the place you possibly can pillage a few of your personal treasure.
At collaborating Twin Peaks Restaurant places, just like the one in Broomfield, Colorado, the rum is flowing. There you possibly can order a mai tai for $6.50, a mojito for $7.50, or a Cuban Previous Usual for $10.50.
In our nation’s capital, Tiki TNT desires to feed you as properly. This institution is providing a $15 burger particular. To clean it down, contemplate ordering a $9 Thrasher’s rum drink with one mixer, a rum and coke, or a Resort Mai Tai. If you wish to attempt many alternative rums, they’re additionally providing $12 Thrasher’s flights.
In Ohio, at Smash Park Westerville, rewards members are in for a deal with. After taking part in a fast recreation of pickleball, refresh your style buds with a $4 mojito. This particular runs all weekend, from August 14-16.
At LALO’s Tacos & Cantina in Watkinsville, Georgia, seize a mojito for $7.99, or a rum and soda for $4 with an entrée buy.
Enter to win at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille with places in Fort Myers Seashore, Sanibel, and St. Petersburg, all in Florida. With each Doc’s Coco XO Mojito rum cocktail or a rum flight buy, you’ll obtain a raffle ticket and an opportunity to enhance your at-home bar. The booty? A present basket that includes a bottle of Mount Homosexual’s XO rum and all of the serving equipment wanted.
Again in D.C. and Virginia, at collaborating Colada Shop venues, you possibly can imbibe on $5 mojitos. This deal isn’t accessible on the DCA Airport location.
At Havana Central within the Massive Apple, get pleasure from half off on traditional mojitos.
On the West Coast, Venus Spirits in Santa Cruz, California, is the spot to go-to for a $10 daiquiri. If geography isn’t in your facet, head to the web store for 20% off on El Ladrón Rums. Remember to use the code RUM20 at checkout.
With all these offers, the rum is bound to final.
