A Rum Lover’s Guide To Puerto Rico

While Puerto Rico is renowned for its ultra-flavorful cuisine spanning from mofongo to arroz con gandules, it’s not just the food that keeps tourists coming to the island time and time again. Over the years, Puerto Rico has also established itself as one of the Caribbean’s most notable rum producers, with both world-renowned and small-scale operations found all across the island. Whether you’re a fan of boozy cocktails or prefer your spirits neat, the perfect Puerto Rican rum is just a flight away, with no shortage of surf, sand and sun to enjoy along the way.

Explore the Island’s Top Distilleries

Puerto Rico’s legacy of rum-making dates back centuries, and for those in search of a prestigious distillery that blends old-school sophistication with modern charm, there’s no beating Ron del Barrilito. This storied company serves as the oldest rum brand on the island, with the original recipe and aging method going unchanged since 1880—and today, rum aficionados are welcome to book a trip to the Ron del Barrilito visitor center for a glimpse into the spirit’s legacy. Opened in 2019, this facility provides an opportunity for guests to marvel at the preserved estate home, enroll in a mixology class, and—of course—sample Ron del Barrilito straight from the source. While the sherry barrel-aged 3 Stars is a particularly popular sipping rum thanks to its bold notes of chocolate and nougat, those hoping to craft the perfect piña colada should be sure to snag a bottle of 2 Stars, with the product’s vanilla-reminiscent flavor profile pairing perfectly with the sweet notes of tropical fruit.

For visitors that don’t want to stray too far from Viejo San Juan, Scryer Rum offers an idyllic escape in the form of their open-air rooftop patio—and to sweeten the deal, the venue also excels at the art of cocktails. While drinks range from banana-infused Spanish Harlems to classic Paper Planes, each one comes loaded with Scryer’s very own pot-distilled rum, with each pour offering complex notes imbued from the sherry and port barrel aging process. After a day spent exploring Viejo San Juan, ambitious visitors can make their way roughly ninety minutes southwest to discover Ponce, the home of the iconic Don Q. The best-selling rum on the island, this spirit made its official debut in 1934, and currently boasts flavors ranging from pineapple to coconut to key lime—all of which can be experienced firsthand during a rum tour at the dazzling Museo Castillo Serrallés.

Discover Puerto Rico’s Thriving Bar Scene

After exploring the island’s most beloved distilleries, you may want to discover how Puerto Rican rum performs in a cocktail—and fortunately, Viejo San Juan is brimming with top-tier bars all within walking distance from each other. To kick off the visit, Antiguo 26 is a particularly sophisticated space that’s brimming with high-end craft cocktails, with options spanning from the Monchito 2020—a refreshing blend of citrus, rum and clarified pineapple punch—to the tropical fruit-loaded Not So Mai Tai. Further south, La Casita de Rones is certain to wow guests with its flower-clad waterfront patio, offering the perfect opportunity to snag a signature Coffee Old Fashioned and enjoy the breeze. And of course, no cocktail lover’s trip to Puerto Rico is complete with paying a visit to La Factoría. Equipped with six separate bars in one historic space, this vibrant venue has made regular appearances on the World’s 50 Best Bars list thanks to its exceptional craft cocktails, many of which come loaded with high-end rum.

Of course, there’s a wealth of can’t-miss cocktail bars to explore outside of Viejo San Juan limits as well. In the city’s Miramar district, Machete has earned abundant local acclaim for its laid-back atmosphere and flavorful cocktails, with rum-heavy options ranging from passion fruit-infused daiquiris to the Jibaro All-Star, a rich concoction that’s brimming with notes of mavi. Beyond city limits, those willing to venture into Bayamón will be richly rewarded with CaféStudio—a downtown venue that crafts top-tier coffee and cocktails—while those in need of one last drink before heading to the airport can make their way to Patio de las Flores, a colorful venue in the district of Parque Isla Verde. Upon arrival, guests can admire its dazzling murals before grabbing a craft cocktail from the bar, with the tropical fruit-forward C.R.E.A.M being a particularly suitable option for rum lovers.

Sample the Island’s Most Iconic Cocktails

While there’s no shortage of flavorful cocktails to sample across the island, few can match the worldwide recognition enjoyed by the piña colada. This sugary blend of rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice first made its debut on San Juan soil, with most sources pointing to two venues in particular as its birthplace—and fortunately, both can still be visited today. On Viejo San Juan’s scenic Calle de la Fortaleza, Barrachina comes equipped with hearty seafood dishes and a plaque claiming to have first crafted the drink in 1963, while those in search of a second contender can make their way east to the Caribe Hilton hotel. First opened in 1949, this landmark venue claims to have crafted the first piña colada in 1954—and today, the on-property Caribar is perfect for sampling the cocktail after a day spent lounging by the hotel’s massive outdoor pool complex.

Puerto Rico’s year-round balmy climate makes the piña colada a perfect drink no matter what the season, but for December visitors in particular, no trip is complete without enjoying a glass of coquito. Often referred to as “Puerto Rican eggnog,” this decadent beverage is a rich blend of cream of coconut, condensed milk, rum and a variety of winter spices, with each ingredient coming together to form a beloved Christmastime tradition in liquid form. Aforementioned venues like La Factoría and the Ron del Barrilito visitor center offer an opportunity to sample the drink, but for best results, you’ll need to befriend a local. Rather than purchase the drink from a store, many residents prefer to reach out to a friend or colleague that’s well-versed in the art of crafting coquito, with each individual producer adding their own unique blend of spices to the mix.