Cocktails with Dark rum
Dark rum is a rum defined by color — deep brown to near-black — which comes from long aging in charred barrels, added caramel, or (often) both. The category is about color, not age, so "dark" says little about time in wood.
ABV40–45%For standard dark rum, but navy-strength (around 54.5%) and overproof Demerara bottlings run much higher — the strong stuff behind tiki floats and punches.
Substitutes for Dark rum
Any other dark rum works one for one, though brands vary widely. "Dark" is not a legal category, and the color can come from caramel. A gold or amber rum also goes one for one; the drink comes out lighter in body. To restore the weight, add blackstrap rum a barspoon at a time. An overproof dark rum is much stronger: use half to two-thirds of the measure, depending on its strength.
Gold / amber rum
Lighter in color, with less molasses.
Blackstrap rum
Heavy, almost bitter molasses: swapped one for one, it takes over a drink built for plain dark rum.
"Aged" is about time in the barrel and "dark" only about color; a rum can be one without the other. A pale aged rum leaves the drink lighter.
Flavored with spices and often sweetened: if the recipe has syrup, cut it back.
