“Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum.” This spirited drink, often associated with legendary pirates and sailors navigating the open waters, has also gained immense popularity in cocktails enjoyed on solid ground. From the elegant Dark and Stormy cocktail to the timeless classic Mai Tai, rum appears in countless mixed drinks, celebrated for the sweet flavors it introduces. Though the dark spirit itself isn’t overly sweet, it blends harmoniously with sugary mixers, primarily due to its origins. One intriguing fact about rum is that its primary ingredient is sugar cane.

Indeed, many components used in rum production originate from sugar cane, including raw cane juice, syrup, cane sugar, and molasses. The journey from sugar cane to a bottle of rum involves harvesting the plant, which is then quickly ground to extract cane juice, followed by a thorough fermentation and distillation process.

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Although it might seem logical to think that rum contains a substantial amount of sugar due to its cane origins, the truth is that distilled rum has zero grams of sugar owing to the fermentation process. Typically, making rum involves transforming cane juice into molasses which is fermented by mixing with water and yeast. During this process, the sugar cane products are heated and eventually turned into alcohol. Following this, the liquid is distilled, matured, and bottled for consumers to relish.

While pure distilled rum is devoid of sugar, many flavored rums available in stores, such as coconut Malibu and raspberry Bacardi, do harbor sugars from added artificial flavorings and sweeteners. Additionally, rum cocktails often feature high sugar content due to mixers like fruit juices and seltzers, which typically contain significant amounts of sugar. Fortunately for those who enjoy rum-based cocktails, the myth surrounding sugary drinks and severe hangovers has been proven false. However, it is important to note that the sweetness in these drinks can mask the bitter taste of alcohol, leading to overconsumption and potentially stronger hangovers.

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