Rum and cream soda is an interesting flavor combination that some people enjoy while others find it to be too sweet or just an unusual pairing. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not rum tastes good when mixed with cream soda and look at the different factors that impact how these two beverages work together.
The Flavor Profiles of Rum and Cream Soda
First, let’s examine the distinct flavor profiles of rum and cream soda on their own before assessing how they come together.
Rum Flavor Profile
Rum is distilled from sugarcane byproducts like molasses or sugarcane juice. It originates from the Caribbean and tropical regions. Rum can range from light and crisp to rich and complex in flavor depending on factors like the base ingredients, distillation method, and aging process. Some key flavor notes commonly found in rum include:
- Sweetness – The sugar cane base lends rum a sweet, caramelized flavor.
- Woodiness – Aged dark rums take on oaky, cedar notes from barrel aging.
- Spice – Spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg are often infused into rum.
- Fruitiness – Tropical fruit flavors like banana and mango may come through.
- Grassiness – Unaged white rums have a fresh sugarcane juice and grassy vegetal quality.
Cream Soda Flavor Profile
Cream soda is a sweet, carbonated soft drink that originated in the late 19th century. It often contains vanilla and cream flavors, lending it a creamy, dessert-like taste and mouthfeel. The primary flavor notes in cream soda are:
- Sweetness – Cream sodas are very sweet thanks to a high sugar content.
- Vanilla – This is the predominant flavor, often from vanilla extract.
- Creamy – The creaminess comes from vanilla and sometimes milk or cream ingredients.
- Carbonation – The bubbly effervescence comes from carbonated water.
- Fruity – Some cream sodas have fruity flavors like strawberry or orange.
Factors Impacting Rum and Cream Soda’s Flavor Interaction
Now that we’ve looked at the taste profiles of rum and cream soda separately, let’s explore some of the considerations that impact how these two mix together flavor-wise.
Sweetness Level
One of the biggest factors is the sweetness level. Both rum and cream soda are quite sweet, so combining the two results in a very sugary drink. The amount of sugar and flavors like vanilla in the cream soda impacts the perceived sweetness. A less sugary cream soda variety could balance the sweetness instead of pushing it over the top.
Rum Type and Age
The specific type of rum used also influences the flavor interaction. A richer, oak-aged rum may stand up to the sweet cream soda better than light rum. Meanwhile, an unaged overproof rum’s bold sugarcane flavor could clash with cream soda’s vanilla notes. Finding a rum with some oak and spice that still has enough sweetness is key.
Carbonation Level
The carbonation level of the cream soda affects how the rum taste comes through. A highly carbonated cream soda can overpower the rum flavor. Letting the cream soda go flat or using a less carbonated variety allows more of the rum’s complex flavors to shine.
Mixing Ratios
The proportions of rum to cream soda have a major impact on the drink’s taste balance. A splash of cream soda in a mainly rum drink enhances the flavors. But too much cream soda could make the drink unpleasantly sweet and mask the nuances of a good rum. Keeping a 2:1 or 3:1 rum to cream soda ratio helps maintain the rum’s flavors.
Garnishes and Accompaniments
Garnishes like lime wedges or dashes of bitters can brighten rum and cream soda blends and cut the sweetness. Similarly, accompaniments like spiced rum cake complement and enhance the drinking experience.
Taste Test: How Do Rum and Cream Soda Mix?
Now it’s time to conduct a taste test to see firsthand how rum interacts with the flavor of cream soda.
The Method
For this taste test, I compared Rum and Coke vs Rum and Cream Soda using a classic aged rum. The ingredients included:
- 2 oz Bacardi 8 Year Old Rum
- 4 oz Coca-Cola
- 4 oz A&W Cream Soda
- Lime wedges for garnish
I tried each rum cocktail separately and evaluated them based on sweetness, rum flavor presence, carbonation, and overall taste balance.
The Rum and Coke
The Rum and Coke delivered a relatively balanced flavor profile. The cola’s moderate sweetness and carbonation didn’t overpower the aged rum’s oak, spice, and vanilla notes. The lime garnish brightened up the flavor for an enjoyable classic cocktail.
The Rum and Cream Soda
The Rum and Cream Soda resulted in a very sweet, creamy drink where the cream soda dominated. The carbonation and vanilla cream flavors minimized the complex rum taste. The drink was almost dessert-like with the creamy mouthfeel. While enjoyable in small doses, a full drink size was cloyingly sweet.
The Verdict
In the end, the classic Rum and Coke proved more balanced and really allowed the rum’s flavors to shine. The Rum and Cream Soda had enjoyable flavors but veered too sweet. For the cream soda to work, a less sugary variety, more rum, and lime garnish to cut the sweetness is needed. Aging the rum also improves the taste pairing.
Recipe Ideas for Rum and Cream Soda Cocktails
While the basic Rum and Cream Soda combo can be too sweet, there are recipe ideas that can make this mixture work with more complementary flavors.
Jamaican Me Crazy
This tropical cocktail incorporates overproof Jamaican rum’s bold funky flavors. Lime juice balances the sweetness.
- 2 oz Smith & Cross Navy Strength Rum
- 1 oz cream soda
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz orange liqueur
- Orange slice garnish
Combine over crushed ice and gently stir to mix. Garnish with an orange slice.
Spiked Cream Soda Float
For a dessert-like but not-too-sweet frozen drink, blend rum with ice cream and just a splash of cream soda.
- 1.5 oz spiced rum
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 oz cream soda
- Whipped cream for garnish
Blend rum, ice cream, and just enough cream soda to dissolve. Top with whipped cream.
Dark and Stormy Cream
Gosling’s Black Seal Rum has a bold, molasses-heavy flavor. The ginger beer cuts the sweetness.
- 2 oz Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
- 3 oz cream soda
- 1.5 oz ginger beer
- Lime wedge garnish
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add rum, then cream soda and ginger beer. Squeeze a lime wedge before dropping into drink.
Conclusion
While Rum and Cream Soda can be an overly sweet combination, the right recipes and proportions can yield some tasty, creative cocktails. Getting the balance right between the rum’s flavor notes and the cream soda’s creamy sweetness takes some finesse. With the right rum style, soda variety, mixing ratios and flavor balance, Rum and Cream Soda can be an enjoyable unique drink. But as a basic combination, it’s just a bit too sugary to let the rum shine. With some tweaks and mixology creativity, you can make Rum and Cream Soda work together in delicious harmony.