How to Pair Dos Maderas Rum with Food

Everyone knows that pairing food and wine is a thing, but have you encouraged your customers to pair food and spirits? It’s an easy way to increase spirit sales, show the versatility of your drinks range, and most importantly, give customers an even more delicious, memorable experience.

Dos Maderas rum offers the perfect opportunity for a diverse range of food pairings. Born and aged in the Caribbean before further aging in solera and final blending in Jerez, Spain, Dos Maderas is an aged dark rum with layers of vibrant flavors (tropical fruit, dried fruit, savory spice, toasty-smoky notes) and a mellow, smooth texture. These qualities make it a deliciously versatile partner for sweet, salty, and savory foods alike.

If you’re ready to elevate your food pairing skills — whether on premise or in your own home — read on. With the help of Chantal Tseng, a certified Sommelier, Bar Ready graduate of the B.A.R. program, and Dos Maderas expert, we’ve gathered five tasty food categories to pair with Dos Maderas rum.

1. Chocolate

Beloved by just about everyone, chocolate itself offers a cocktail of flavor — bitter cacao, creamy milk, and sweet sugar — in every bite. Sipping Dos Maderas with it makes the experience even sweeter.

The rum’s ripe fruit and sweet spice notes perfectly complement chocolate in all its forms, from plain bars to decadent cakes. When picking a pairing, follow this rule of thumb: the higher the cacao percentage, the more mature the rum.

Chantal’s top recommendations are Gianduia, an iconic Italian chocolate that includes at least 30% hazelnut paste, and almond nut barks. These treats strike a tasty balance between sweet and savory, which nicely complement the rich, complex character of Dos Maderas 5+5, Selección, or Luxus. We’d also suggest chocolate-covered fruit slices, which will bring out these rums’ intriguing fig and raisin notes.

2. Desserts

Pastry chefs have long incorporated rum into dessert recipes; think classic, rum-soaked cakes like Tres Leches, Baba au Rhum, or Polish Babkas. Naturally, these desserts make great pairings for rum — particularly dark aged rum like Dos Maderas 5+5 or Selección.

Fruit-based desserts are another tasty option, as they highlight Dos Maderas’ dried fruit flavors and offer a tart contrast to the rum’s richness. Given Dos Maderas’ Caribbean origins, we’re partial to pineapple upside-down cake, but Bananas Foster, apple streusel, and even autumnal classics like pumpkin pie will all be delicious — especially when served à la mode.

For those who like to “drink their dessert,” Chantal has several exciting options. Serve up a boozy root beer float, spiked malt, or the ultimate beach dessert drink, the Piña Colada.

For the “espresso after dinner” crowd, Chantal suggests El Carajillo, a rum-and-espresso cocktail that’s wonderful on its own or with dessert. Simply pour a fresh shot of espresso (2 oz.) over a large ice cube then pour Dos Maderas rum (1.5 oz.) on top. For garnish, consider a lemon peel, singed star anise, or — sticking with the dessert theme — a piece of chocolate.

3. Fruit

Since we’ve already mentioned chocolate-covered fruit and fruit-based desserts, it seems only right to give a little love to fresh fruit itself. After all, mixologists and bartenders pair fresh fruit with rum all the time — in cocktails and as garnishes. And mixed fruit with rum (e.g. the Strawberry-Banana Daiquiri) has been incredibly popular at chain restaurants for decades. So, why not deconstruct the cocktail and build a tasty food pairing?

Any fruit will do, whether sliced apples or mixed fruit salad. But for something a bit more original, Chantal’s recommendations include greek yogurt parfaits topped with mixed berries or melons to complement the lighter, fruitier style of Dos Maderas 5+3 (grilled pineapple rings with a pinch of salt will also work). For the richer Dos Maderas 5+5, Chantal suggests microwaving a ripe, peeled banana with two tablespoons of water on top — the natural fruit sugars will mix with the water to create a simple sauce. Serve in a bowl and sprinkle with nutmeg to play up the rum’s spice notes.

And don’t forget dried fruits! Dates, apricots, plantain chips, and more will draw out Dos Maderas’ lovely fig and raisin flavors.

4. Cheese

Long a favorite pairing for wine enthusiasts, cheese makes an equally perfect partner for aged rum. When pouring a flavorful, layered rum like Dos Maderas, it’s important to choose a cheese with just as much complexity, whether that includes a hint of sweetness or a savory, nutty-smoky character. We suggest Havarti, Gouda, Camembert, Brie, goat cheese, or blue cheeses — preferably accompanied by nuts, honey, crostinis, or (you guessed it) fruit with contrasting flavors and textures.

Chantal’s favorite cheese-based pairings offer a perfect example of this recipe. For Dos Maderas 5+3, she suggests buttered crostini topped with creamy Brie, an apple slice, and drizzled honey. As for Dos Maderas 5+5, she recommends raw dates stuffed with goat cheese and berry jam, or a dried fruit and nut crisp topped with blue cheese and drizzled with balsamic.

5. Salty, Sweet, or Savory Snacks

To satisfy all your guests’ cravings, pair Dos Maderas rum with classic bar or party snacks that mix salty, sweet, and savory elements. The best snacks to serve with rum usually offer a nice toasty crunch or combine the pairings we’ve already listed — dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and cheese. This complex blend of flavors fits so well with Dos Maderas, which itself balances sweet fruit with toasty spice notes.

Delicious matches include small plates like flatbreads, nachos, or wings, as well as more traditional snacks like pretzels, kettle-cooked potato chips, trail mixes, or popcorn. Chantal’s snack of choice is caramel corn seasoned with za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice that typically consists of toasted sesame seeds, dried Mediterranean herbs (e.g. thyme, hissop, oregano, or marjoram), sumac, ground coriander, and ground cumin. If you prefer homemade to store-bought, try mixing one tablespoon of each spice.

Whether your guests crave sweet, savory, or salty, Dos Maderas rum can complement nearly any food on the menu. If you give one of these delectable combinations a try — or create your own culinary masterpiece — share it on social by tagging @palmbayinternational and @dosmaderas. We’d love to see your Dos Maderas pairings!