Diverse rum spurs creativity and profitDiverse rum spurs creativity and profit

Sales of rum are on the rise, and so, too, are the interests of savvy bar and restaurant operators. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), overall sales of rum in the U.S. have been on the upswing for years, growing from 18.5 million liters in 2002 to 24.8 million liters in 2015. In 2017, sales of rum in the United States generated over $2.3 billion in revenue for distillers. That’s some serious sugar tooth.

Beverage directors and bartenders around the country are not only seeing growing sales, but also consumer knowledge of rum increasing, allowing them to get creative and increase profitability.

“Rum is the most varied category of spirit,” said Sother Teague, beverage director at Amor y Amargo in New Yo...