One of the most popular rum brands in the world, Captain Morgan and its boozy buccaneer mascot are instantly identifiable around the world, and for many a household name.
A drink designed for adventure—to be passed between you and your crewmates in the scoundrelly sea dog spirit—Captain Morgan has made a splash in the industry with its range of spiced and flavored rums.
With its spicy flavor, smooth texture, and the way it pairs so well with other drinks, it’s no surprise that Captain Morgan was the second most popular liquor brand in the US in 2014. And, in 2018, the brand became Britain’s favorite rum, surpassing the spirit’s other big-name player, Bacardi.
So whether you like the fiery brew best in a classic Captain & Cola, or want to experiment with some of the best rum cocktails—or would prefer some sophisticated sipping of the Captain’s Private Stock range—here’s everything you need to know about Captain Morgan rum.
Captain Morgan bottle sizes and prices
| Bottle | Size | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Morgan Parrot Bay | 750 ml | $15 |
| Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum | 750 ml | $15 |
| Captain Morgan’s Watermelon Smash | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Cannon Blast | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Coconut Rum | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Jack-O-Blast | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Pineapple Rum | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Silver Spiced Rum | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Grapefruit Rum | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s White Rum | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Loco-nut | 750 ml | $17 |
| Captain Morgan’s Apple Smash | 750 ml | $21 |
| Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum | 1000 ml | $25 |
| Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum | 1750 ml | $29 |
| Captain Morgan’s Black Spiced Rum | 750 ml | $25 |
| Captain Morgan’s 100 Proof Spiced Rum | 750 ml | $25 |
| Captain Morgan’s Private Stock Rum | 750 ml | $28 |
Where to buy Captain Morgan online?
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Captain Morgan: the story behind the brand
Before Captain Morgan rum, there was Captain Morgan himself.
Sir Henry Morgan was a Welshman and admiral in the British Royal Navy. He set sail for the West Indies in the 17th century where he was tasked with protecting British colonial interests.
As a privateer, he was basically a pirate, but one with government authorization. And he set about terrorizing the Spanish ships with gusto, establishing a notorious reputation among the various ports where he landed during his adventures through the Caribbean.
After retiring from these exploits—murdering, looting, pillaging, and ransacking—he settled in Jamaica where he ended up becoming Governor.
Hundreds of years later, in 1945, a certain San Bronfman was establishing a trading network of rum distillers across the Caribbean. His company purchased the Long Pond Distillery Jamaica and acquired an ancient family recipe for spiced rum from the Levy Brothers, two pharmacists in Kingston, Jamaica.
And so the Captain Morgan brand was born, taking the original swashbuckling swindler as its mascot.
That instantly recognizable Captain Morgan logo—the Captain Hook look-a-like with his roguish grin? It’s the work of award-winning American artist Don Maitz, and no doubt played its part in establishing the brand as a fun-loving party favorite.
Since then, the popularity of rum has rocketed—partly thanks to Hollywood movies like the Pirates of the Caribbean. As a result, Captain Morgan has continued to grow and is enjoying a booming international fanbase in particular.
Sugar, spice, and all things nice: making Captain Morgan rum
Captain Morgan rum is made from sugar cane, which is first squeezed to create molasses.
Next is fermentation, with yeast and water added to the molasses.
After that comes distillation, which essentially involves purifying the liquid by heating and condensing it in column stills. Captain Morgan uses column stills rather than pot stills because it’s better at removing impurities. This makes it a lighter drink, and the company can then use spices and barrel aging to create a more nuanced flavor profile.
Following distillation, the rum is aged in charred white oak barrels before the different rums are blended to create the range of rum variants—spiced rum, coconut rum, fruit-infused rum—that Captain Morgan’s has become famous for.
After a stint in Puerto Rico, today all Captain Morgan production takes place in the US Virgin Islands.
100 proof to pineapple: Captain Morgan types of rum
The first Captain Morgan’s rum to be produced was the Original Black Rum. Made from rums hailing from Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados, it’s aged for a minimum of two years in charred oak barrels. The result is a rum with an intense coloring and an equally rich and complex flavor: caramel and vanilla notes, plus a smoky finish.
Then there’s the best-selling Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold, which is also matured in charred American white oak bourbon barrels. This aging process, alongside the blend of spices, lends the rum notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and dried fruit.
Then you’ve got the five-times-distilled Captain Morgan White Rum: crisp, refreshing, and a flexible base for a whole number of cocktails. Or at 50% ABV.
The Captain Morgan Private Stock was intended to be a more upscale offering for the brand, blending Puerto Rican rums with subtle spices—a drink designed to be sipped.
The Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay line of tropical-flavored white rums includes Coconut, Passion Fruit, and Pineapple. Other flavored types of Captain Morgan rum include Captain Morgan Cannon Blast, a citrus-flavored rum commonly served as a shot, or the Captain Morgan Jack-O-Blast, a pumpkin-flavored rum.
How to drink Captain Morgan rum
How you choose to drink Captain Morgan will depend on which type of Captain Morgan rum you pick from the brand’s large range of rum variants.
The Spiced Gold is an accessible option, with its caramel flavor and spicy bite—the ideal base for cocktails.
And while you might think that the only way to drink Captain Morgan’s is in the classic Captain & Cola—aka a rum and Coke—you can also sip it neat, like brandy or whisky in a tumbler. For this, you want something a little more nuanced, such as the Captain Morgan Private Stock line, which is dark and full-bodied with a velvety texture.
Adding ice or a dash of water can mellow the intense alcohol flavor. And a slice of lime wouldn’t go amiss, either.
That’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with adding a mixer. Beyond Coke, good Captain Morgan mixers include ginger beer—aka a Dark ‘n’ Stormy—as well apple juice or ice tea.
Captain Morgan cocktail recipes
Captain Morgan Rum can be used as a base in a range of easy-to-make cocktails, whether it’s the brand’s original spiced rum or one of their tropical flavors. Order a bottle online and unleash your inner mixologist this weekend.
Long Island Iced Tea
This is one of the sneakiest cocktails around. How many other drinks combine such a potent mix of spirits, yet taste so delicious? We recommend you stick to just the one glass, but of course, that’s easier said than done.
Ingredients:
- 15 ml Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold
- 7.6 ml vodka
- 7.5 ml tequila
- 7.5 ml gin
- 7.5 ml triple sec
- 36 ml lime juice
- 20 ml simple syrup
- 55 ml cola or iced tea
- Lime or orange to garnish
Cocktail recipes: Fill a glass with ice and add the spirits—rum, vodka, tequila and gin. Then add the syrup and lime juice, followed by the cola or iced tea. Stir and garnish.
Pina Colada
The Pina Colada needs little introduction. It’s a world-favorite and all-time classic, born in Puerto Rico. Cool and creamy, it’s got all the tropical flavors you would want from a drink that is basically a holiday in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold
- 25 ml coconut cream
- 4 pieces of fresh pineapple
- Cherry to garnish
Cocktail recipes: In a blender, combine the ice, rum, coconut cream, and three of the pineapple pieces. Pour into a tall glass, then garnish with a cherry and the remaining pineapple.
Cuba Libre
This cocktail is a bit like a classic rum and Coke except you also add lime juice. The lime perfectly balances out the sweet cola and makes this one of the most refreshing drinks to enjoy on a hot summer’s evening—as well as one of the simplest.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Captain Morgan’s White Rum
- 100 ml cola
- ½ lime
- Lime to garnish
- Ice
Cocktail recipes: Squeeze the juice of the lime into a highball glass. Add the ice, rum, and cola. Stir, before adding a lime wedge to garnish.
Frequently asked questions about Captain Morgan rum
A 750 ml bottle—or fifth—of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum costs around $13. A bigger 1000 ml bottle costs $22, and a half-gallon or 1750 ml bottle costs around $24. The flavored Captain Morgan Parrot Bay rums cost around $10 per bottle.
The most expensive Captain Morgan rums are those in the Captain Morgan Private Stock line, which cost around $25 a bottle. These bottles are the brand’s premium line of rums and have a stronger flavor and smoother texture.
Captain Morgan is a best-selling and affordable spiced rum that makes an excellent base for cocktails. The brand’s premium line—Captain Morgan Private Stock—is a more refined and expensive option and has won bronze several times at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Captain Morgan rum is currently made in the US Virgin Islands. However, the company’s first distillery was in Jamaica, and, for a period of time, the rum was also being produced in Puerto Rico.
