The mojito sends rum sales soaring as UK’s favourite new spirit

The incredible popularity of the mojito cocktail has sent rum sales soaring to overtake vodka as the UK’s fastest growing spirit.

For years vodka has held its own because it mixes so well with cola or juices such as cranberry or orange. But latest retail sales data reveals that rum is now the tipple of choice for a growing number of Brits with sales at Tesco soaring by 22 per cent – far higher than any other spirit.

So popular is the spirit that it has even replaced champagne in the Office of National Statistics in the shopping basket of what goods consumers typically buy.

Tesco now sells an astonishing 45 different varieties. It has doubled its range in the last three years.

Tesco spirits buyer Kate Evans said: “The mojito has become the most popular cocktail in the world but with the high price of a night out on the town more Brits are now making their own at home.

“Rum is an extremely versatile spirit – not only in cocktails but also with long drinks mixed with cola and orange. Add that to the current trend for cocktails in general and you have reasons for the current boom.

“Rum hasn’t been in such high demand since the 60s when rum and coke, or Cuba libre to give it its proper name, was the drink of choice.

“Other rum based cocktails which are extremely popular in bars across Britain now are the daiquiri, dark and stormy, planter’s punch, mai tai, zombie and of course the evergreen pina colada.”

It’s not only Tesco that’s seeing strong growth for rum. Retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel report that in the last year sales of rum across all UK retailers have grown by four per cent – faster than any other spirit.

There are several types of rum, from dark to light, golden to spiced, flavoured, overproof, and premium.

But out of all of these it is golden rum that is driving the current boom because it is considered the most versatile when it comes to mixing cocktails.

Kate Evans added: “There are many fine rums out there that are hard to find outside of specialist retailers and we believe the current trend will lead to a widening of the market with more choice available in each of the different rum categories.”

The UK’s top selling rums are as follows:

1. Bacardi
2. Captain Morgan (Dark)
3. Morgans Spiced (Golden Spiced)
4. Havana Club (Golden)
5. Sailor Jerry (Golden Spiced)