There’s something magical about long summer evenings, smoky barbecue sizzling on the grill, and a glass of perfectly paired rum in hand. Whether you're searing ribs, grilling pineapple, or smoking brisket low and slow, the sweet, spicy, and complex character of rum is the ideal partner to BBQ.

From light Cuban styles to deep, molasses-heavy Caribbean rums, here’s how to make your next cookout truly unforgettable.

🥃 Why Rum Works with Barbecue

Rum and barbecue share key flavour traits:

• Smoke and char meet toffee and spice

• Tropical notes balance meaty richness

• Molasses sweetness plays against salty rubs and sauces

Plus, rum's wide flavour spectrum—from grassy agricoles to aged spiced rums—makes it adaptable across BBQ styles.

🍖 Perfect Pairings: Dish by Dish

1. Jerk Chicken + Jamaican Overproof Rum

Pair With: Wray & Nephew Overproof or Rum Fire
🔥 The heat of jerk spices is matched by the bold, punchy fire of an overproof rum. Add lime and ginger beer to tame the flames in a cocktail.

2. BBQ Pork Ribs + Spiced Rum

Pair With: Chairman’s Reserve Spiced or The Kraken
The sweet smokiness of ribs glazed with sticky sauce is divine with the cinnamon, vanilla, and clove notes of spiced rum. Serve neat or as a rum & cola twist with burnt orange zest.

3. Grilled Pineapple Skewers + Agricole Rhum

Pair With: Rhum JM Blanc or Clément Rhum Agricole
The grassy, vegetal notes of agricole rum enhance the caramelised edges of tropical fruit. Try it as a Ti' Punch with lime and sugar.

4. Beef Brisket + Aged Dark Rum

Pair With: El Dorado 12, Appleton Estate 12, or Diplomatico Reserva
Long-cooked brisket loves complexity. These rums bring molasses depth, wood spice, and raisin notes that linger on the palate as the meat melts in your mouth.

5. Grilled Seafood + Light White Rum

Pair With: Havana Club 3 Year or Bacardi Carta Blanca
For shrimp, snapper or scallops, go light and zesty. Muddle with mint and lime for the ultimate BBQ Mojito.

6. BBQ Jackfruit or Grilled Veggies + Coconut Rum

Pair With: Koko Kanu or Dead Man’s Fingers Coconut
Vegetarian BBQ fans will love how coconut rum enhances charred sweetness in jackfruit, sweetcorn, or grilled peppers. Make a tropical punch or serve over crushed ice.

🍹 Pro Tip: Make a BBQ Rum Bar

Elevate your next garden party by setting up a Rum Tasting Station:

• Offer 3–5 rum styles (white, spiced, dark, agricole, coconut)

• Include mixer suggestions: ginger beer, tonic, tropical juices

• Provide pairing tips for each BBQ dish

• Offer rum-glazed BBQ sauce or marinades

🧑🍳 Rum-Infused BBQ Recipe Ideas

• Rum BBQ Sauce: Reduce rum with brown sugar, tomato paste, garlic, and spices for a tangy glaze

• Rum Marinade for Chicken or Pork: Rum, lime, honey, soy, and ginger—perfect for overnight soaking

• Dessert: Grilled Bananas with Rum Caramel – Drizzle aged rum over hot bananas and serve with vanilla ice cream

🌴 Final Thoughts

This summer, trade beer for barrels and discover how rum can take your BBQ to the next level. Whether you're cooking over coal, wood, or gas, there's a rum ready to match every bite with a tropical twist.

So fire up the grill, pour yourself a dram, and let the sweet smoke roll.