The Fascinating History of Rum in Saint Martin

Before it was in your cocktail, it was part of a revolution.

Rum isn’t just a drink in Saint Martin. It’s a legacy. It’s trade routes, pirate ships, sugar plantations, and resilience — all bottled up into something that now gets served over ice with a slice of lime.

If you’ve ever sipped a glass of aged Caribbean rum while watching the sun drop into the sea, you’ve tasted history. And in Saint Martin, that history is everywhere — if you know where to look.

Sugar, Slavery & the Birth of Caribbean Rum

Let’s start where it all began: sugarcane. The Caribbean climate turned out to be perfect for growing cane. By the 17th century, both the French and Dutch sides of Saint Martin were cultivating sugar on plantations — and with that came the tragic legacy of slavery, as enslaved Africans were brought to the island and forced to work the fields.

Molasses, the sticky byproduct of sugar production, was once considered waste — until it was discovered that it could be fermented and distilled into alcohol. That’s when rum was born: rough, strong, and immediately valuable across the colonies.

Related : How to Organize a Successful Rum Tasting Event

Rum & Pirates: More Than a Stereotype

Yes, the pirates really drank it. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Saint Martin found itself along important maritime routes between colonial powers, smuggling networks, and privateer outposts. Rum became a hot commodity in the Caribbean — traded, stolen, and even used as barter in deals at sea.

Even the British Navy gave sailors a daily ration of rum — known as a “tot” — a practice that lasted until 1970. Imagine that: rum as part of your employment package.

The French-Dutch Split & A Unique Rum Culture

Saint Martin is unlike anywhere else. It’s the smallest landmass in the world peacefully shared by two countries, and each brought their own cultural influence to rum.

On the French side (Saint-Martin), you’ll often find rhum agricole — a style of rum distilled directly from fresh sugarcane juice. It tends to be lighter, more herbal, and rooted in French Caribbean tradition.

On the Dutch side (Sint Maarten), molasses-based rums are more common — bold, sweet, and often spiced, making them ideal for mixing into cocktails.

Today, these traditions don’t compete — they coexist. You can explore both in an afternoon (or in one well-curated tasting, if you’re lucky enough to know the right bartender ).

Modern-Day Rum in SXM: A Craft Revival

The rum scene in Saint Martin isn’t just stuck in the past. A new generation of small-batch producers and creative distillers is breathing fresh life into the island’s rum identity. From rums aged in sherry casks to spiced blends infused with local botanicals, there’s a wave of innovation happening.

Local bars — especially mobile ones like ours — are turning rum tastings into immersive cultural experiences, not just gimmicks. When we pour you a glass of Saint-Martin rum, we’re not just mixing a drink. We’re sharing a story.

Experience It for Yourself

At JC Bar Company, we offer private rum tasting sessions that walk you through this history — glass by glass. You’ll taste the difference between molasses and cane juice, between young and aged, between sweet and spice. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for what rum really is: a survivor, a traveler, a storyteller.

Interested? Contact us or follow the journey on Instagram.