A Rum Lover's Guide to St. Thomas

Rum runs deep in the U.S. Virgin Islands — literally, in the case of Cruzan Rum, whose distillery on St. Croix has been turning sugarcane into rum on the same property since 1760. It's a history worth understanding before your next rum flight, because it explains why the drink means something different here than it does anywhere else.

Where the Islands' Rum Actually Comes From

Cruzan Rum is distilled at Estate Diamond in Frederiksted, St. Croix, about 40 miles south of St. Thomas, where the Nelthropp family has overseen production for eight generations. The distillery uses a continuous column-still process that produces a notably clean, light-bodied rum, a style distinct from the heavier pot-still rums found elsewhere in the Caribbean. It's one of only two rum distilleries recognized as part of the American Whiskey Trail, and the historic grounds, including an original sugar mill now repurposed as part of the distillery, are open for tours.

You won't find the distillery itself on St. Thomas, but you will find its rum, and the broader culture built around it, everywhere on the island. Bars, restaurants, and retail shops all lean on Cruzan as the local pour, and it shows up in classic Caribbean cocktails like the rum punch and the painkiller that define a St. Thomas evening out.

Where St. Thomas Brings That Tradition to the Glass

Lavalette's, located inside the historic Hotel 1829, is home to the Rumporium, billed as St. Thomas's oldest bar. Operating since 1906, it is a fitting place to explore the island's rum culture without leaving Charlotte Amalie. The bar features original stone floors and wooden ceiling rafters sourced from Alexander Lavalette’s 19th-century ship, as well as an original brick hearth.

The program includes structured rum flights and crafted cocktails built around local, home-grown ingredients, giving you a way to taste the range of what Caribbean rum can do in a single sitting. You can preview their offerings by checking out the latest Lavalette's restaurant menus.

If you want to dive even deeper, the hotel hosts a monthly Rumporium Tasting Class. Running from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, this session explores the diverse rum styles and historic traditions of the Caribbean. For $35 per person, the experience includes a curated flight of four distinct rums paired with a complementary appetizer. You can check upcoming dates and reserve a spot directly on the Hotel 1829 Local Events page.

The full cocktail menu also features two iconic drinks originally crafted right here:

• Blackbeard’s Revenge: A robust blend of dark rum, tropical juices, and local spices.

• The 99 Steps: A signature cocktail inspired by the historic ballast-brick staircase located just outside.

These drinks are served alongside Lavalette's French-Caribbean menu, making for a perfect pairing: island rum culture and island cuisine on the same ocean-view terrace where the bar has poured drinks for generations.

Making a Day (and Night) of It

If you want the fuller rum story, a day trip to St. Croix for a Cruzan distillery tour is worth the ferry ride; walking the same grounds where rum has been made since 1760 adds real context to the cocktail in your hand later that night.

Back on St. Thomas, explore our curated local experiences to round out a day around town before you settle in at the Rumporium for the evening. If you are visiting from off-island, we invite you to browse our rooms to stay right in the heart of the historic district.

Planning a longer stay? Be sure to check our special offers for the best rates, and don't forget to join our rewards program to earn benefits during your visit.

Cap the night with a rum flight at the bar and dinner on the terrace, Thursday through Monday, 5:00 to 9:00 PM — and, if you're staying at the hotel, enjoy a short walk back up to your room rather than a cab ride home. It's one of the simple advantages of our Government Hill location: the best rum bar in town is downstairs.