Rhum agricole is a potent spirit that is mostly produced on the Caribbean islands in the French Indies, but only the version from Martinique has been granted an AOC (appellation d'origine controlee) certificate. The spirit is distilled from sugar cane that is pressed into juice, which is then allowed to ferment.
The distillate is then rested in steel or wood. Rhum agricole can only be produced from locally grown sugar cane—which influences the final profile of the spirit and reflects the specific terroir. Most rhums will be complex, pure, and fresh with grassy, earthy, and herbaceous nuances.
The drink was invented out of necessity after the sugar cane market collapsed in the late 19th century. The farmers then opted to make rhum directly from sugarcane, avoiding to the expensive process of sugar production. Rhum agricole incorporates well into cocktails and long drinks.
The most popular variation is the Caribbean Ti' Punch, made with rhum and cane syrup.
