Ruma reveals new menu
Edinburgh-based rum bar Ruma is adapting to the ‘ever-changing’ cocktail scene with new initiatives for its first anniversary.
Ruma, meaning ‘rum’ in Scottish Gaelic, is home to 170 bottles of rum, considered to be the ‘largest’ selection of the spirit in Scotland.
Jamie Shields and Steven Aitken co-founded Ruma last year.
Shields said: “We opened Ruma one year ago to welcome Scotland’s largest rum collection. The response from our loyal guests has been amazing. Our staff love talking about a thirst for knowledge and interest in where each rum comes from and what it tastes like.
“In our first year, we have seen a demand for cocktails and drinks of all types. At our heart, we will always be a rum bar, but we also thought, ‘Why can’t we offer a range of other drinks too?’ Non-alcoholic options are now key in hospitality. Rather than relegating these to a section at the back of the menu, we believe that guests who are not drinking alcohol should have the same menu experience as those who are, as each has been crafted with as much care as the drinks with alcohol.”
The bar is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a new cocktail menu that includes a host of non-rum and non-alcoholic options.
The new menu is divided into five easy-to-navigate sections based on each drink’s flavour profile: fresh, fruity, short, smoke and savoury, and classics.
The menu focuses on reducing waste by utilising each ingredient to its fullest potential.
One of Ruma’s most popular drinks, the Spiced Pear Mule, features a syrup made from poached fresh pears. Any leftover fruit from the cocktail is blended with spent wine to create a new drink called the Mrs Kenmore, which combines gentian liqueur, Brugal 1888 Rum, and sparkling wine.
Shields added: “We love championing local. Ruma’s goal is to serve the widest range of rum in the country through unforgettable experiences, but also offer deliciously alternative drinks to ensure guests leave with a satisfied smile on their face, and always come back for more.”
New initiatives
In addition to the new cocktail menu, Ruma will launch an online shop in early May, offering 30ml sample bottles of its extensive rum selection.
Additionally, the bar will introduce a selection of canned cocktails for the new menu and distribute them to local businesses and bars to foster camaraderie among independent business owners.
Ruma now offers Rum Experiences, which can be booked weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Guests can enjoy a tasting flight of three rums, with various categories available, such as ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ or ‘Intro to Scottish Rum’.
The bar also hosts Passport Sessions, a monthly rum tasting tour highlighting a different country. During these sessions, guests can sample six hard-to-find or rare bottlings from countries such as Guyana, Haiti, Barbados, and Martinique.
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