We put premixed rum and colas to the test, there were some good, some bad and some great. Here are the results.
10% alc./vol.
Producer: Marks & Spencer, Chester, UK.
"Cola & Over 2½ measures of white rum", says the label on this 250ml can. Made in Belgium for Marks & Sparks.
Appearance: Clear, dark red/brown, like an old red wine with quickly dissipating bubbles, no head.
Aroma: Strong roast coffee notes, cola bottle sweets and cola syrup with lime cordial, burnt coffee, a tinge of bubble gum and a note of plastic (not in an unpleasant way).
Taste: Lightly effervescent, syrupy mouthfeel, with intense generic cola flavour, bitter coffee notes and obvious light, white rum notes giving it a gentle alcoholic bite.
Aftertaste: Molasses/black treacle notes emerge.
diffordsguide rating: 3/5
5% alc./vol.
Producer: Bacardi-Martini, Winchester, Hampshire, UK.
The Bacardi bat logo is prominent on this 250ml can, which otherwise carries minimal information.
Appearance: Clear, extremely dark (almost opaque) claret, head quickly dissipates but tiny, lively bubbles remain.
Aroma: Like a paper bag of pick 'n' mix, with tutti frutti notes to the fore.
Taste: Dilute generic unbranded cola palate, with citric acid bite, lime skin and little discernible rum - reflecting the low abv.
Aftertaste: Citric acid lingers, fades with cola ice lolly emerging.
diffordsguide rating: 2/5
5% alc./vol.
Producer: Bacardi-Martini, Winchester, Hampshire, UK.
"Rum and spices blend", says the label of this 250ml can made with Bacardi's spiced cousin, which otherwise carries minimal information.
Appearance: Clear, dark brown, quickly dissipating head but lively effervescence remains.
Aroma: Candy, vanilla essence and kola nut, like a Coke float, with light spicy notes.
Taste: Cola and rum palate well balanced, with more vanilla notes and gentle spice, with a mouthfeel that cleverly develops across a vegetal and candied spectrum.
Aftertaste: Fades with cola bottle sweets, citric acid and vanilla. Like drinking a properly made Rum & Coke.
diffordsguide rating: 4.5/5
6.4% alc./vol.
Producer: Captain Morgan Rum Co, Park Royal, London, UK.
Captain Morgan rum flavoured with cassia and vanilla mixed with cola. Produced in Italy or The Netherlands.
Appearance: Clear, dark brown, with lingering head and persistent varied effervescence.
Aroma: Pungent one-dimensional cola nose with clinical/solvent notes, burnt caramel and orange zest.
Taste: Syrupy mouthfeel, lacking effervescent bite, with generic/synthetic diet cola palate. Molasses notes serve as a proxy to rum flavour.
Aftertaste: Dilute black treacle emerges on the palate.
diffordsguide rating: 3/5
5% alc./vol.
Producer: Pernod Ricard UK, Hounslow, Middlesex, UK.
Malibu (a Caribbean rum with coconut flavour, not a liqueur) and cola for "a refreshing taste of the Caribbean", says the label.
Appearance: Clear, dark brown/red, slowly dissipating head and slow, fat effervescence.
Aroma: Familiar candied coconut-led nose akin to sun tan lotion, neon-coloured maraschino cherries and marzipan.
Taste: Cloyingly sweet but well-balanced cola/coconut palate with quality vanilla ice cream.
Aftertaste: Fades with lingering coconut and vanilla notes.
diffordsguide rating: 4/5
