At the end of 1493 came the cane to America, from the hands of Christopher Columbus, in what is now known as the Dominican Republic. In 1520 the Portuguese introduced it to Brazil. During the seventeenth century is the first reference of rum in Barbados, very different from the versions we know today. There was talk at that time in the French islands of "Guildive" or "kill devil" (kill - devil), and in the British islands it was called "Rumbullion" (uproar).

During this time, rum quickly became the most popular consumed beverage in the new world. For the English, French, Dutch, and the Spanish in the West Indies and northern South America rum became one of the main resources in the new world economy .

The popularity of this drink was so extreme that the English naval armada, beginning in 1730, used it as part of the wages for their marines and set daily rations of undiluted rum equivalent to one-eighth of a gallon (half pint). This is equivalent to 236 ml of rum.

In 1740, Vice Admiral Vernon ordered to reduce the rations. In 1851, the rations were reduced to one-eighth of a pint, or about 30 ml. On July 30, 1970 the last rum ration was given to the English sailors.