Homemade Spiced Rum

Homemade Spiced Rum is the queen of all spiced rums, because you can flavor it yourself! It’s so easy to make and way better than store-bought. It makes the perfect addition to every drink from a Cuba Libre to a tiki cocktail. 

Some things just taste better homemade. Simple syrup, for example. Taco sauce, for another. Oh, and Nutella!

Call me old-fashioned, but those are just a few things my kitchen can’t live without.

One more that I’m becoming increasingly obsessed with? Homemade spiced rum.

My boyfriend and I make a lot of cocktails at home. It’s cheaper than going out, plus we get to have a lot of fun experimenting with various syrups, shrubs and infusions.

Homemade spiced rum is something we always try to have on hand because it’s really versatile and totally elevates a drink.

Homemade spiced rum recipe

Making spiced rum sounds like it would be complicated, but it really isn’t.

All we do is get a big handle of silver rum (the clear, unflavored kind) and drop in a few whole spices.

After a couple of days, the color of the rum changes, turning a deep, golden, caramel color.

And the flavor? Even a pirate would love it.

If you like to cook, know that you can also cook with spiced rum to get a lot of added flavor into your cooking.

Cocktails with spiced rum

Homemade spiced rum tastes great in all kinds of cocktails.

I use it in this Pineapple Mango Tiki Punch and this Spiced Apple Cider Rum Punch.

It’s also perfect for a spicy mojito, or even a simpler, 2-ingredient drink like a Dark & Stormy cocktail or a simple Rum & Coke.

You can even mix it into hot chocolate in the winter, or you can use it in a batch of rum gummy bears.

Ingredients for homemade spiced rum

You can really have fun with the additions. My go-tos are diced ginger root, star anise, whole peppercorns, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and vanilla extract. (Bonus points if that’s homemade, too!)

You could also add citrus peel and other whole spices. Go crazy! Come up with your own ratio.

Here are some ingredients to try:

• ginger root, diced
• star anise, whole
• peppercorns, whole
• cloves, whole
• cinnamon sticks
• vanilla pods, halved
• vanilla extract
• allspice berries, whole
• cardamom, whole
• nutmeg, whole
• orange peel
• lemon peel

The best part? It’s homemade, so you can work on perfecting your DIY spiced rum!

And impress all your friends, too.

Homemade alcohol recipes

If you love making homemade spiced rum, you may wish to try some of these delicious homemade liqueur recipes.

They make great gifts for a cocktail lover, or you can make them for yourself to elevate your home bar.

• Homemade Baileys Irish Cream — This recipe is a classic cream liqueur made with Irish whiskey. It’s perfect for Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and just sipping any time.
• Homemade Coffee Liqueur — Try this one if you love White Russians or a cup of spiked coffee. It’s made with coffee and vodka.
• Homemade Peppermint Vodka — At the holidays, there’s nothing like this candy-infused vodka to mix into your holiday hot cocoa.
• Cape Velvet Cream Liqueur — This South African cream liqueur with brandy is a favorite at my house, especially at the holidays.