The best rum in India: A guide to the brands redefining how India drinks

India has mostly been a country for brown spirits. The last 10-15 years have seen a surge in the demand for whiskey in India, alongside a brandy preference in the southern part of the country. Yet, India does drink a fair amount of rum—and some of the best rum in India comes from homegrown distillers experimenting with sugarcane and jaggery. 

“Even when people are drinking mezcal and tequila, one of the highest-selling cocktails in India is the Mojito, which is rum-based,” says Arijit Bose, 43, mixologist and co-owner of Outrigger, India’s only rum-focused bar in Goa.  “India has very few bars–there are no mezcal or gin bars. So to open a rum-focused bar where 70 percent of the menu is rum was a conscious and risky decision. But the Indian cocktail scene has seen a huge boom since the gin wave. Post-Covid, there’s also a focus on craftsmanship and rum is one such sector. The spice black rum is growing within itself. Coffee rum is one category that’s doing well and is considered one of the best rum options in the winter.” 

Rum brands like Camikara (made from pure sugarcane juice), Maka Zai (made from jaggery instead of molasses), and Pipa (a Portuguese-style Indian spiced rum) have quickly found loyal audiences. “Yet, India has miles to go,” says Bose. 

Rum has been part of India’s drinking history for centuries. It was introduced by English sailors after Britain captured Jamaica and began providing the Royal Navy sailors with a rum ration in 1665. But alcohol made using sugarcane has been part of India’s culture for longer. Lore has it that the world learned how to use sugarcane to make alcohol from India in 325 BC, after General Nearchus, one of Alexander the Great’s officers spotted Indians adopting it. Long before the best rum brands in India appeared, sugarcane spirits were already part of the subcontinent’s story.

“The Army picked it up and took rum to the hill stations, which is why Indians believe that rum is meant to be consumed in colder regions, though worldwide, it’s a tropical spirit. One of the best rum brands in India, Old Monk, is inspired by the English-style rums from Barbados and Jamaica. Even the bottle is inspired by a whiskey bottle,” explains Bose. 

From craft distilleries to heritage icons, here’s a guide to the best rum brands in India worth exploring.

1. Amrut (Bella and Two Indies Rum)

With aromas of ripe bananas, mangoes, and coconut with vanilla and oak, Two Indies Rum offers a palate of caramel, tropical fruits and spices, and some citrus. A premium offering, this 42.8 per cent ABV spirit is distilled and aged at the Amrut distillery in Karnataka, and has rums sourced from Caribbean Indies—Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados—which makes it stand out as one of the best rum brands in India. 

The brand also offers Bella, a 100 per cent jaggery-distilled rum, crafted to honour India’s spirit-making traditions. Made using jaggery from the Sahyadri ranges and Mandya, and aged for six years in ex-bourbon barrels, this artisanal rum is a part of Amrut’s 75th anniversary celebrations, and considered one of the best rums in India. 

Price: ₹1,790 (Two Indies) and ₹3,500 (Bella)

2. Camikara

Aged for eight years in American oak barrels, this Indian alcohol is made using pure cane juice, which gives it a unique flavour, qualifying it as one of the best rum brands in India. With aromas of honey, ginger, and caramel, it has flavours of banana, marshmallow, and sweet spices. Distilled in copper stills and bottled at 42.8 per cent ABV, this is a complex rum that’s been crafted for those who appreciate depth. 

Price: ₹4,590

3. Old Monk

Launched in 1954 by Mohan Meakin, Old Monk remains a winter staple for most Indians and continues to be one of the best dark rums in India. The Legend Rum is their premium offering which has a softer aroma than their seven-year-old version. Its signature caramel, vanilla, and wax notes are complemented by hints of orange and banana peel. The Coffee Rum, launched in 2023, features 40 per cent ABV, and adds dark chocolate and toffee to its flavour profile. 

Price: ₹1,790 (Legend)

4. Daku Rum

This Indian brand, available in Gold and Silver variants, with 42.8 per cent ABV, stands out for being unaged yet offering complex flavours. The Gold version has notes of caramel, spice, vanilla, and toasted oak, while the Silver is lighter and  more crisp, making it one of the best rums for cocktails in India. Produced by Gwalior-based distillers Bapuna Alcobrew—the makers of Chambal Gin—Daku is a fresh addition to India’s spirits landscape. 

Prices: ₹1,690 onwards 

5. Bacardí Rum 

A pioneer among premium rum brands, Bacardí was also one of the first to introduce flavoured rums with Bacardí Lemon. Today, it offers a range of aged blends considered among the best rums in the world. The Bacardí Reserva Ocho Rye Cask Finish Rum, inspired by a recipe from 1862, features dried fruits, spices, and oaky vanilla notes. Its 8-Year-Old Premium Golden Rum variant continues to be a favourite among collectors in India.

Price: ₹6,190 (Reserve Ocho) and ₹5,390 (Ocho) 

6. Appleton Estate 

Made in Jamaica’s Nassau Valley, Appleton Estate was founded in 1655 when the English took over Jamaica from Spain. Known for its aged rums, the 21-Year-Old is a connoisseur’s favorite. The 25-year-old Joy Anniversary Blend, which combines rums aged for 25 and 35 years, is considered one of the best rums in the world. Though imported, Appleton Estate ranks among the best rum brands in India for collectors who enjoy rich, layered spirits. 

Price: ₹5,445 

7. The Lovers Rum 

With aromas of toffee, pineapple, and cinnamon on the nose, and notes of peppercorn spice, cinnamon, and passion fruit on the palate, this tropical rum by Arijit Bose is conceptualised around tarot cards. Inspired by the Lovers tarot card, it’s all about the balance—even flavour-wise. Launched in 2019, the 43 per cent ABV spirit has a whiskey-like maturity due to the ageing, though the dominant spirit is purely rum. Flip the bottle for a Daiquiri recipe—a nod to cocktail culture. The Lovers Rum has quickly become one of the craft rum brands India has embraced for its storytelling. 

Price: ₹8,000 (Goa) and ₹5,500 (Gurugram) 

Today, craft rums can be confined to winter shelves or to nostalgia. Rum and cigars are a pairing that is popular again, and rum appreciation clubs are on the rise. “Some of the best rum is being viewed as luxury. But rum is more fun than luxury. Just like tequila is stylish and whiskey is luxurious, rum is like the chill friend everyone can have,” says Bose. From small-batch distilleries to heritage icons, the best rums in India today represent craftsmanship, culture, and a global outlook.

Frequently asked questions about best rum in India

Q. What makes a rum “premium”?

A. Premium rum brands in India are defined by craftsmanship — longer ageing, oak-barrel maturation, and the use of pure cane juice or jaggery. These practices create layered aromas, smooth texture and natural sweetness that distinguish them from mass-produced options.

Q. Is dark rum stronger than white rum?

A. Dark rum isn’t stronger; it’s simply aged longer in oak barrels. Ageing gives it caramel and spice notes, while white rum is lighter and ideal for cocktails. Both types maintain similar alcohol levels, typically around 40 percent ABV.

Q. What are the best Indian rum brands to try in 2025?

A. Some of the top Indian rum brands to try in 2025 include Amrut, Camikara, Maka Zai, Daku Rum and The Lover’s Rum. These labels blend traditional techniques with modern distilling, positioning India firmly on the global craft-rum map.

Q. Which rum is best for cocktails in India?

A. For cocktails, Daku Silver, Bacardí and Old Monk Coffee Rum are popular choices. White or light rums work best for mojitos and daiquiris, while spiced and dark rums add richness to tiki and winter drinks.

Q. What is the best rum for gifting in India?

A. The best rum for gifting in India includes Camikara, Amrut Bella and The Lover’s Rum. These premium bottles combine craftsmanship, elegant design and local provenance — ideal for festive or corporate gifting.

Q. How should rum be stored in Indian weather?

A. Store rum bottles upright in a cool, shaded place away from humidity and direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause oxidation or cork shrinkage, especially in tropical climates like India.

Q. What is the ideal way to drink rum — neat, on ice, or in cocktails?

A. The best way to drink rum depends on the style. Premium dark rum is enjoyed neat or on ice to appreciate flavour depth, while white or spiced rum pairs well with citrus-forward cocktails.

Q. What are the best rums under ₹5,000 in India?
A. Good options under ₹5,000 include Amrut Two Indies, Daku Gold, Old Monk Legend and Maka Zai White. These balance affordability with craft quality, offering accessible introductions to premium rum brands in India.

Q. What’s driving India’s new rum renaissance?
A. India’s rum renaissance stems from younger drinkers seeking authenticity and craft experiences. Local distillers are experimenting with jaggery, cane juice and ageing methods, proving that the best rum in India can compete globally on flavour and story.