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    Good Rum Substitution

    May 14, 2006 by G. Stephen Jones 11 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Rum Substitution

    Rum Extract Works As A Substitution for Rum

    Someone wrote and asked about my tiramisu recipe and wanted to know if there was a good "rum substitution they could use for the rum and if so, how much?"  I wasn't sure so I looked up McCormick & Company's web site and found they have an extract.

    According to McCormick & Company, for every tablespoon of dark rum required in a recipe you can substitute ½ tablespoons (1 ½ teaspoons) of rum extract. On the other hand, for 1 tablespoon of light rum, you substitute ½ teaspoon of rum extract.

    So if my tiramisu recipe called for ½ cup of light rum, you could use 4 teaspoons of rum extract. You may have to add a little water to keep the liquid ratio right.

    However, my recipe calls for ½ cup of Dark rum. That means you would substitute 4 tablespoons of rum extract to equal the flavor. I'm not sure if it wouldn't be more cost effective and easier just to use the Dark rum unless you are restricted from using any alcohol in your diet.

    McCormick & Company's Usage Tips

    • ½ teaspoon Rum Flavor = 1 tablespoon light rum
    • 1 ½ teaspoons Rum Flavor = 1 tablespoon dark rum

    What About Alcohol?

    Well, if you were looking for an alcohol free rum substitution for a recipe, then this McCormick Rum extract is not for you. According to their website, their rum extract has 35 percent alcohol. This is why it is very important you look at the label before purchasing to make sure your products are truly alcohol free.

    Alcohol Free Rum Substitutions

    After doing a little research, I found a few rum substitutes that say they are alcohol free. These include:

    • Natural Flavors Rum Raisin Extract
    • Lyre's Spiced Cane Spirit
    • Happy Home Imitation Rum Flavor

    I found this recipe on the Cooks Illustrated website if you prefer to make your own rum substitute.

    Rum Substitution
    Print Recipe

    Alcohol Free Rum

    How to make an alcohol free rum substitute.

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ cup water boiling
    • ¼ cup raisins
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 4 teaspoons molassis
    • 1 tea bag black tea
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Add the raisins, butter and molassis to a bowl containing the boiling water. Stir to combine.
    • Add the tea bag of black tea to the water mixture and seep for 4 minutes.
    • Refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour to let flavors combine.
    • Strain the liquid through a fine strainer or coffee filter and use as a substitute for dark rum.

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Crepe gelato blvd

      April 12, 2013 at 9:54 pm

      Where can I buy 1 gallon of rum extract?

      Reply
      • The Reluctant Gourmet

        September 07, 2014 at 12:05 pm

        That's a lot of extract. I would do a search for institutional rum extract and see what comes up. Anyone else have an idea?

        Reply
    2. Elton

      January 03, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      My recipe ask for 1/4 cup of rum,how much rum extract will I use to substitute the rum?

      Reply
      • The Reluctant Gourmet

        January 03, 2014 at 8:46 pm

        Hi Elton, I'm not sure but according to About.com,
        • 2 Tablespoon rum = 1/2 to 1 teaspoon rum extract. If the liquid is an important part of the recipe, add enough water or apple juice to make up the difference.
        • 1 Tablespoon dark rum = 2 Tablespoon rum extract.
        • 5 Tablespoon light rum = 1 Tablespoon rum extract.

        You'll have to do the math.

        Reply
    3. Joseph

      October 09, 2014 at 11:37 am

      Actually flavoring extracts, be they pure or imitation, contain alcohol unless specified otherwise (for example I've seen alcohol-free vanilla extract) so flavoring extracts still couldn't be used by someone who's trying to avoid alcohol altogether. I use the same brand of extract as the one you have pictured (which they have a good deal on at Walmart) and if you look on the back label on the ingredients list you'll see "alcohol (25%)" listed (after propylene glycol and water) so I'm just saying you might want to update your blog o reflect that information more clear, lest someone get the idea that they're avoiding alcohol altogether by using extracts.

      Reply
    4. Linz

      December 22, 2016 at 1:54 am

      Not everyone is old enough to buy rum, just saying.

      Reply
      • Mavi

        August 07, 2018 at 1:25 pm

        But ANYONE of ANY AGE can buy RUM EXTRACT which is the point being made. *eye roll*

        Reply
        • Lydia

          November 02, 2018 at 9:02 am

          That was the point being made? Really?
          I didn't get that from any of the comments. I think maybe the eyeroll was a bit over the top.
          IMO her response was to the poster saying there is alcohol in extract as well. The tone seemed belittling to those choosing not to use real rum.

          Reply
    5. Julie DeWitt

      November 29, 2019 at 10:18 am

      I don't want ANY alcohol used in recipes. Is a different extract available?

      Reply
      • Julie DeWitt

        November 29, 2019 at 10:20 am

        Sorry, more specific. Another flavor to be used in this recipe?

        Reply
    6. Lora Whearty

      December 09, 2019 at 3:22 pm

      To get a rum flavor without the alcohol, you can mix molasses with water until you get a similar taste to rum (it will be sweeter than rum, so you may have to cut the amount of sugar in the recipe). Rum is fermented molasses, and gets its flavor from the molasses.

      Reply

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