Rum Tips: The Do’s & Don'ts of Cooking with Rum

Bring flavor, not just flair, to your everyday cooking.

Aloha Rum Lovers! Ready to bring a splash of the tropics into your kitchen?

Cooking with rum isn’t just for flambéing bananas or drizzling into desserts—it’s one of my favorite ways to layer in complexity, add warmth, and highlight natural sweetness in both savory and sweet dishes. Used thoughtfully, it becomes a background note of richness, bringing out flavors you didn’t even realize were there.

But like any ingredient, there’s a technique to using rum well.

In this article, I’ll share my best kitchen-tested tips—straight from The Island Spirit Cookbook—to help you cook with rum confidently and creatively. From smart substitutions and marinades to the best time to add it and which rum works for what, this is your go-to guide for cooking with Kōloa Rum and making it shine.