We know a thing or two about rum! So if you’re looking at a Delia Christmas pud recipe and wondering why you’d be putting Bacardi in your festive dessert, we’re here to help.
Why do you add booze to a Christmas pudding?
Did you know... adding alcohol to a Christmas pudding helps with preservation? That's why if you dig out a Christmas pud from the back of the cupboard that you left in there the Christmas, before you'll probably find it's still in date! It also helps to keep it fresh when you make it ahead of time before the festive season, whilst also creating a rich flavour and moist texture. And of course - it's the alcohol content that allows for that dramatic lighting of the pudding on Christmas day itself - an absolute must if you're entertaining guests.
Should I use rum?
Brandy is probably the most traditional alcohol to add to a Christmas pudding - but many people love to add a splash of rum instead. Its rich, sweet flavour pairs perfectly with the sweet dried fruits. Its deep complexity adds a depth of flavour and you'll end up with a slightly more subtle flavour than adding brandy. Of course, there's nothing stopping you going for both! Christmas puddings tend to be "fed" with booze in the run-up to Christmas to keep them moist - so you could always use one alcohol in the main recipe, and another to feed.
Which rum should I use for my Christmas pudding?
If you're reading your Christmas pudding recipe and thinking this could be a great way to use up that cheap white rum you've had in the cupboard for a while - just pause for a second. Let us take you on a quick journey of rum - because there's a huge range of options out there for you!
White Rum & Flavoured Rum
This is a common type of rum to drink - something you might well have tried before, perhaps mixed with coke or in a tasty cocktail. It's clear and some don't have a huge amount of flavour, though you can also get Flavoured White Rums - such as Twin Fin Lychee and Coconut which infuse sweet tropical flavours with classic white rum to create a more interesting taste. This would be a really interesting addition to your Christmas pud if you wanted a little extra sweetness and perhaps a tropical twist - it would work particularly well with a recipe that called for mixed peel for example.
Overproof Rum
Usually similar in appearance to white rum, if there's one word to describe this rum, it would be STRONG! That's no bad thing of course if you're adding it to a dessert - much of the alcohol will evaporate in the cooking process and many overproof rums carry more flavour than white rum. The classic example would be Wray and Nephew overproof. It's a Turtle Bay favourite - and if you've tried our Reggae Rum Punch you'll know why. It's got a unique profile - strong of course, but with hints of banana.
If you're looking for that theatre on Christmas Day with a flaming Christmas pud, Wray & Nephew overproof rum would be a great candidate for pouring over your dessert and then lighting.
Dark Rum
Dark rum is usually full-bodied, with more intense flavours of molasses and caramel - making it the perfect baking ingredient! We would suggest this is one of the best types of rums to add to your Christmas pudding as it will perfectly complement the sweet fruit and spices such as clove and nutmeg. One of our favourite rums at the moment is Equiano - which has a hint of butterscotch, along with a great story behind it. Another great option would be Appleton Estate classic rum - easily found on the supermarket shelves, this rum is rich and delicious and makes a great base for a cocktail or two!
Spiced Rum
Spiced rums are usually infused with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and vanilla. It's a popular choice for a "spirit and mixer" - but not all spiced rums are created equal! Some spiced rums will have added sugar to enhance their flavour whereas others, such as Rumbullion, rely solely on the infused spices and natural sweetness of the molasses to bring the flavour. We love Rumbullion for its zesty orange and well-rounded vanilla flavours an thing this would be the perfect addition to your Christmas pudding - and maybe a tipple on the side over ice as you're cooking.
And as for the rest of the bottle....
Of course, it might feel extravagant splashing out on a nicer bottle of rum for you to simply drop a few tablespoons into your Christmas pudding - but we can guarantee you'll find ways to enjoy the rest of the bottle. Whether that's stirring up some cocktails, or sipping over ice, the sweet warmth of rum makes it the perfect festive tipple.
