Rum cake is a dense, moist cake made with rum that originated in the Caribbean. It’s often served around the holidays or for special occasions like birthdays. With its rich flavor and boozy kick, rum cake can be paired with a variety of foods and drinks to enhance the experience. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best options for what to eat and drink with rum cake.
What drinks pair well with rum cake?
One of the most popular pairings is to serve rum cake with coffee. The robust coffee helps cut through the sweetness of the cake, while the rum cake provides a sweet indulgence to balance the slight bitterness of the coffee. An after-dinner espresso is an ideal match.
Cocktails and mixed drinks are another excellent pairing option. Rum cocktails like mojitos, daiquiris, or even a rum and coke will complement the rum flavor in the cake. The carbonation in some of the mixed drinks helps cleanse the palate between bites. An aged rum on the rocks is also a simple, perfect pairing.
For non-alcoholic pairings, milk is a classic choice. The richness of whole milk balances the dense texture of rum cake. Iced tea, fruit juices like orange juice or pineapple juice, and sparkling waters offer lighter, refreshing pairings as well.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the best drink pairings for rum cake:
Drink pairings for rum cake
| Coffee | Cocktails with rum | Aged rum on the rocks |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | Fruit juices | Iced tea or sparkling water |
What desserts go well with rum cake?
Rum cake is rich enough to be enjoyed on its own, but pairing it with other desserts or fruits can make for an even more decadent experience. The caramel, vanilla, and rum flavors of the cake pair well with many complementary flavors.
One simple dessert pairing is to serve rum cake with whipped cream. The airy whipped cream balances the dense texture of the rum cake. Topping a slice of rum cake with a dollop of whipped cream accentuates the sweet flavor.
Ice cream is another fantastic pairing. Vanilla, caramel, butter pecan, and rum raisin ice cream will all provide great flavor matches with the cake. The cool ice cream helps cut through the rum cake’s richness.
For a warm dessert, rum cake is fabulous served with a hot caramel sauce. The sweet caramel adds another layer of flavor that interplays beautifully with the existing caramel notes in the cake. Warm chocolate sauce can also pair nicely.
Fresh tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, or banana complement the flavors in rum cake. The fruit helps lighten up the heavy cake and adds bright, complementary flavors.
Here are a few top dessert pairings for rum cake:
Dessert pairings for rum cake
| Whipped cream | Ice cream | Caramel sauce |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate sauce | Tropical fruits | Caramel or butter pecan ice cream |
What flavors complement rum cake?
Because of its sweet, dense texture and prominent rum flavor, rum cake pairs well with ingredients that have some sweetness and complexity. Flavors that accentuate or complement the caramel, vanilla, and rum notes are ideal.
For example, toasted nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds make a great topping or accompaniment to rum cake. The crunch of the nuts balances the soft, tender crumb. And the nutty flavors integrate well with the overall flavor profile.
Citrus flavors like orange, lemon, or lime zest or juice provide a bright pop of flavor that cuts through the rich rum cake. A zesty orange glaze on a rum cake is delicious.
Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger add warmth and dimension to the cake. Their sweet-spicy flavors pair nicely with the rum. A dusting of cinnamon over sliced rum cake is an easy way to enhance the flavor pairing.
Here are some top flavor pairings to complement rum cake:
Flavor pairings for rum cake
| Toasted nuts | Citrus zests/juices | Cinnamon |
|---|---|---|
| Nutmeg | Cloves | Ginger |
What are good savory pairings for rum cake?
While rum cake is often enjoyed as a sweet treat, its rich flavor profile also pairs well with some savory flavors. The sweetness of the cake balances salty, savory, or spicy flavors.
One excellent savory pairing is rum cake served with different cheeses. The salty, creamy flavors of cheeses like aged cheddar, Havarti, gouda, or Swiss work nicely with the rum cake. The cheese course can come before or after the rum cake.
Hearty savory foods are also a great match for rum cake. Think roasted or smoked meats like ham, beef tenderloin, or pulled pork. The richness of the meat is a perfect foil for the dense cake. Even spicy foods like jerk chicken can make an exciting flavor pairing.
Here are some top savory pairings for rum cake:
Savory pairings for rum cake
| Aged cheddar | Havarti | Gouda |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss cheese | Ham | Beef tenderloin |
| Pulled pork | Jerk chicken | Smoked sausage |
Conclusion
Rum cake is a rich, indulgent cake with many possibilities for delicious food and drink pairings. Coffee, rum cocktails, and milk complement the cake nicely as beverage options. Serving rum cake with whipped cream, ice cream, caramel or chocolate sauce, or fresh tropical fruits makes for a fabulous dessert pairing.
In terms of flavors, toasted nuts, citrus, warm baking spices, hearty meats, and aged, salty cheeses all complement and accentuate the flavors in rum cake. With so many pairing possibilities, rum cake is bound to be a hit at your next special occasion or holiday gathering. Pair it with some flavors you love for an absolutely memorable treat!