Photo: Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune
Article by Brandy Gonsoulin
Rum rises: America's party spirit preps to have its moment
A happy accident of tossed molasses that fermented in the Caribbean kicked off the beginning of the lucrative rum industry and thousands of rum-soaked parties. Centuries later, rum remains one of America's favorite spirits, yet sugary drinks, an iconic pirate brand and spring break dominate the image. A complex spirit worth sipping neat or on the rocks? Probably not so much. But as one of the world's most versatile and underappreciated spirits, rum may be trending up.