RumChata is a creamy liqueur of American origin made of rum, cream, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar.

RumChata

What is RumChata?

RumChata is a creamy liqueur of American origin made of rum, cream, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar. It is also available in different flavors such as peppermint, lemon, or coffee. The name comes from a mixture of the words rum and horchata, a Spanish drink.

  • It has an alcohol by volume of 14 percent and the original recipe calls for Caribbean rum that is distilled five times and dairy cream produced locally in Wisconsin.
  • On its own, the beverage has a mild taste of rum with strong notes of cinnamon.

According to Eater, the top 10 best cream liqueurs are:

  • Bailey’s
  • Amarula
  • Arran Gold
  • Guappa
  • Magnum Cream Liqueur
  • Mozart Rose Gold Chocolate Cream
  • RumChata
  • Serengeti Strawberry Velvet Cream
  • SomruS
  • Stroh Cream
  • Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream

Origin of rumchata

RumChata was the first rum-based cream liqueur ever produced. It was created by Tom Maas, who had been working in the alcohol industry for close to 35 years at the time. The beverage was launched in 2009 and marketed as a relaxing drink with the motto “Pour Yourself a Vacation”.  The liqueur is produced in Pewaukee, Wisconsin in the United States and is geographically protected. It is popularly used to craft cocktails, but can also be consumed as a shot. 

Nutrition

A serving of this liqueur contains around:

It has fats and carbohydrates due to the dairy and sugar in it. Nonetheless, overconsumption of alcohol can lead to several health problems, including affecting the brain’s functioning patterns and general lowering of immunity. Excess consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of heart disease, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer, as well as obesity, depression, and aging. However, consumed in moderation, this liqueur can be a delicious addition to the diet.

Commercial production

RumChata is prepared with rum as a base. The ingredients are carefully selected and sourced. Caribbean rum that has been distilled five times is blended with locally sourced dairy cream from Wisconsin. Then, a secret blend of spices are added in to produce the signature taste. Finally, the finished product is tested and bottled. It is mostly available only in the mainland US and in the Caribbean. 

The cream in this liqueur is homogenized and, hence, does not need to be refrigerated. However, it is best to store the bottle in a cool and dry place without exposing it to heat. An open bottle of this creamy liqueur can easily survive for up to six months.

RumChata recipes

This liqueur is a great addition to any wet bar and can be used in a variety of cocktails. It also imparts a delicious taste to desserts and drinks. Here are a few recipes:

FDA regulations

All alcohol related products are regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the US. The TTB classifies RumChata as a rum liqueur or cordial. The organization defines it as a liqueur with rum as the sole distilled spirits base.

References

Nickolaus Hines, Everything You Need to Know About RumChata, Food & Drink, Thrillist, https://www.thrillist.com/spirits/liqueur/what-is-rumchata

RumChata’s Tom Maas, Tastemakers, Spirited South Florida, https://spiritedsouthflorida.com/tom-maas/

“Health risks and benefits of alcohol consumption.” Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism vol. 24,1 (2000): 5-11., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6713002/