RumChata is a popular rum-based cream liqueur with a strong cinnamon finish! Here’s more about it and the best RumChata drinks to try.

Rumchata Coffee

You may have seen it’s signature gold cap and glossy white bottle, emblazoned with the words “Horchata Con Ron.” Yes, it’s RumChata! This rum-based cream liqueur has blown up due to its association with the cereal Cinnamon Toast Crunch. But is it worth all the hype, and what’s really inside that bottle? What are the best RumChata drinks to use it? Here’s what you need to know.

What is RumChata?

RumChata is a cream liqueur with Caribbean rum, cream, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Released in 2009, it’s similar to Baileys Irish Cream, but Baileys is made in Ireland with Irish whiskey. RumChata was inspired by the Mexican and Spanish drink horchata, a creamy drink made with soaked rice or almonds and cinnamon that resembles milk.

Despite its name and the Spanish on its bottle, RumChata has no roots in Hispanic culture. It’s made in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and was invented by a guy named Tom Maas, who spent his career developing alcohol brands. (Cultural appropriation? Maybe.)

Maas originally tried marketing RumChata to Mexican restaurants, but they weren’t interested. It wasn’t until people started likening the flavor to Cinnamon Toast Crunch that it caught on. Maas encouraged bartenders to give away single servings of the cereal with a shot, and later the liqueur was combined with Fireball to create the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot.

Is RumChata really horchata with rum?

No. The RumChata bottle proudly states “Horchata con Ron” (“Horchata with Rum” in Spanish), but it does not in fact contain horchata. Horchata is a Mexican and Spanish drink made with soaked rice or almonds: it’s creamy without using dairy products. But RumChata is made with dairy cream.

How can RumChata claim to contain horchata when it really doesn’t? We’re not sure. (Can we complain somewhere?)

What does RumChata taste like?

RumChata is very sweet, with a creamy body. It has vanilla, cinnamon, and dark rum notes on the finish. It tastes similar to Baileys Irish Cream, but distinguished by the cinnamon notes. In fact, it’s often compared to the milk left in the bowl after eating the cereal Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

How much alcohol is in RumChata? It is 13.75% ABV (alcohol by volume), which is similar to other cream liqueurs.

Are there any substitutes? Ricura Horchata Cream Liqueur appears to be a product with a closer flavor to Horchata.

Why we like it

RumChata is very sweet, much like a cinnamon spin on Baileys with a little more complexity on the finish. We got it out of curiosity to make a Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot (also very sweet). It’s at its best when balanced with bitter flavors, like in RumChata Coffee.

If you love sweet drinks, you’ll love RumChata. If you prefer more balanced drinks like we do, skip buying this bottle.

How much does it cost?

Compared to other liquors, RumChata is moderately expensive. A 750 ml bottle costs about $20.

RumChata is often drunk as a shot, but it works in mixed drinks, too. Here are some of the most popular RumChata drinks! If you’re not a lover of sweet cocktails and dessert drinks, skip these in favor of something more balanced and boozy.

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Rumchata Coffee

Top Rumchata Drinks!


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot

  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Fireball whisky
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) RumChata
  • For the rim: 4 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the RumChata Coffee

  • 6 ounces (¾ cup) hot coffee
  • 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) RumChata
  • Sweetened whipped cream, whipped to soft peaks

For the RumChata White Russian: 

  • 2 ounces* vodka
  • ½ ounce Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur)
  • 1 ounce** RumChata
  • Ice, for serving (try clear ice)

Instructions

  1. For the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot: Place the cinnamon and sugar on a plate. Run your finger around the edge of a shot glass (or a small glass if serving as a cocktail). Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of cinnamon and sugar. Stir the Fireball and RumChata together the glass. If desired, you can serve over ice as a cocktail.
  2. For the RumChata Coffee: Make the coffee, using your favorite method (PouroverFrench PressAeropress, or Moka Pot). Make the homemade whipped cream, making sure to whip to soft peaks. Add the coffee to a glass or Irish coffee mug, then stir in the RumChata. Gently float the whipped cream on top using the back of a spoon.
  3. For the RumChata White Russian:  Add the vodka and Kahlua to a low ball glass. Fill it with ice. Top with the Rumchata. Stir until cold (or stir just a bit to get the swirl effect).
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Rumchata, Rumchata Drinks, Rumchata recipes

More cocktail guides

Need more liquor guides? We’ve got them! Here’s all you need to know about home bartending:

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

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6 Comments

  1. Add 3 ounces of RumChata to a cold glass. Then add 5-6 ounces or Coke or Pepsi. Do not stir. You will have a nice head and the taste is amazinbg

  2. I thought this site was going to contain recipes you only touched on a couple of drinks very disappointed