While ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters is a source of immense pride for Trinidad & Tobago, the dual Caribbean Island nations are also known for producing some of the finest rums in the world. So, this World Rum Day we change gears to tell you the story of rum and ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters.

The history of rum

Long associated with swashbuckling pirates, today Tiki culture is taking over the cocktail world and with that there’s been a growing appreciation for rum worldwide. Pirates and the British Royal Navy lived off the spirit when it was first introduced and in fact, up until the 1970s, the British Navy would give sailors a daily ration of rum. We can thank the modern-day punch to pirates who would mix it with water and lime.

As we know, the Caribbean is the birthplace of rum due to its importance in the cultivation of sugarcane. Made from fermented sugarcane molasses and aged in oak barrels, the origins of rum date back to the Caribbean sugar plantations of the 17th century. And though the islands that make up the Caribbean may differ in culture, language and music, the one uniting spirit is best enjoyed neat or in a cocktail. Rum!

Located in the south of the West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago’s warm and tropical climate make it perfect for sugar-growing. The twin islands are known for their white, amber, old and aged rums, and it's an important part of Trini life – especially when it comes to the Carnival, one of the greatest street parades in the world.

ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters and rum

ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters was born in Venezuela in 1824 and then moved to the Port of Spain, Trinidad – which they still call home today.

A long-held secret, the recipe for ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters has not been changed since the first bottle in 1824. What is known is that the key to it lies in Trinidadian rum. During those first few decades in Trinidad, ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters would purchase rum from local distilleries to make its bitters. But by 1949, it decided to take a leap and enter the rum market by building its own rum distillery.

Today, the House of Angostura is the country’s last remaining rum producer, and its rum distillery is one of the Caribbean’s largest. Though its range of rums is not available in SA (yet!), you can still enjoy the OG bitters with your favourite rum.

Bitters and rum: a great pairing

ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters creates beautiful layers of flavour and brings a wonderful balance to cocktails in just a few magical dashes. Naturally, ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters and rum make great bedfellows. ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters adds a layer of complexity and brings flavours together while not taking anything from the spirit, but rather giving it a boost.

Full of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, allspice, and ginger flavours, ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters enhances the aged notes in rums and brings out citrus and spice botanicals – making it the natural choice for rum cocktails.

Don’t believe us? Try it out for yourself. If you don’t already have a bottle of ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters in your home, you should add our friend with the yellow cap and oversized label to your cart now.

World Rum Day (9 July) is all about getting together to enjoy rum with family and friends, but ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters says that there’s no reason why you can’t celebrate throughout the month of July or, better yet, the entire year!

Start dashing! A world of flavour and enjoyment awaits.

For more information on the Angostura range and delicious food and cocktail recipes, please visit www.angosturabitters.com.

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