Ron Miel — The Canary Islands' Famous Honey Rum

What is Ron Miel?

Ron Miel (literally "honey rum") is a sweet rum liqueur that has been made in the Canary Islands for centuries. Locally distilled rum is blended with honey, sometimes from the islands and sometimes imported. The result is thick, smooth and sweet, somewhere between a rum and a liqueur. If you've ever had Baileys at Christmas, it fills a similar slot on the shelf, except it's older, simpler and, we'd say, better.

Ron Miel has Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, so it can only be called Ron Miel if it's produced in the Canary Islands. Anything made elsewhere is just honey-flavoured rum. You can usually taste the difference. The real thing has more depth and a proper rum backbone under all that honey.

It's one of the first things people ask us about when they walk into the shop, usually because a friend came back from Lanzarote last year and wouldn't stop talking about it.

What Ron Miel tastes like

Honey first, obviously. After that you get the warmth of the rum, a bit of caramel, and a long sweet finish. It's sticky on the lips in a good way. At room temperature it can come across as quite sweet, which is why most people prefer it cold.

The alcohol is about 20-30% depending on the brand, so it's gentler than a straight rum but stronger than most liqueurs people are used to sipping. It tastes like pudding and it is definitely booze. Plenty of customers find that out on the second glass.

How to drink Ron Miel

The traditional way, and the way we serve it at Brunchi, is ice cold, straight from the freezer, poured into a small glass as a digestif after dinner. Chilling makes the honey thick and almost syrupy, and at that strength it won't freeze solid. Pour a small measure, sip it slowly, and let it sit on the tongue.

If you're buying a bottle to take back to your apartment or villa, clear a space in the freezer on day one. It'll be ready by the evening.

Other ways to enjoy it

• On the rocks — Pour over ice with a slice of lemon. The ice opens up the honey flavours as it melts, and the lemon stops it feeling too sweet.
• Canarian coffee — Add a shot to an espresso. This is what locals do after a big lunch, and it's brilliant. You don't need to add sugar.
• Over ice cream — Pour it over vanilla ice cream like a boozy sundae sauce. We've had customers try this at home and come back raving about it.
• Ron Miel Mule — Mix with lime juice and ginger beer over ice. This is one to make at home (we only serve Sangria and Aperol Spritz as cocktail-style drinks on our terrace), but it works surprisingly well, and the ginger keeps the sweetness in check.
• With a cigar — Ron Miel and a Cuban cigar is the classic Canarian pairing. The sweetness of the honey cuts through the smoke.

What to eat with it

Ron Miel is a dessert drink, so it suits the end of the meal. Vanilla ice cream is the easy win. Anything with almonds, a simple sponge or a flan also works, though you won't need much sugar on the plate when the glass is already sweet.

The other direction is salty. A piece of good goat's cheese next to a small glass of ice cold Ron Miel is a very Canarian way to finish lunch. The salt and the honey balance each other out.

If you'd rather have it with a coffee in the morning, nobody here will judge you. We're not in a hurry on the terrace.

Best Ron Miel brands

Arehucas Ron Miel — The most popular brand, made in Arucas on Gran Canaria since 1884. Smooth, well-balanced, and the one most visitors recognise. This is the safe choice, because you know what you're getting.

Cocal Ron Miel — A Lanzarote favourite with a slightly richer, thicker honey flavour than Arehucas. If you want something with more character, Cocal is the one.

Artemi Ron Miel — Another Gran Canaria producer. Lighter and less sweet than the others. A good option if you find Cocal too thick.

Guajiro Ron Miel — From Tenerife. Balanced and approachable. A solid middle-ground option.

At Brunchi.shop we stock several brands so you can compare. If you can't decide, buy a small bottle of each. They're typically €8-15 depending on size and brand, so you won't spend much to find your favourite.

How to choose between them

The question we hear most is "which one should I buy?" Our honest answer depends on what you like. If you're buying for family or as a present for someone whose taste you don't know, go for Arehucas. It's the easiest to like.

If you tend to enjoy thick, sweet drinks, choose Cocal. If you normally find liqueurs too sugary, start with Artemi. Guajiro sits in between and suits people who just want a decent bottle without much thought.

Florin will happily pour you a comparison if you ask. He'll tell you his favourite, though you shouldn't feel you have to agree with him.

Ron Miel as a souvenir

Ron Miel is our best-selling souvenir spirit. Almost everyone takes a bottle home. Here's what you need to know before you pack:

• Hand luggage: Only if the bottle is under 100ml (the miniatures are fine)
• Checked luggage: No problem. Wrap it like you would wine, with socks on each end, a towel around it, and the bottle in the centre of your suitcase
• Allowance: UK travellers can bring up to 4 litres of spirits duty-free from the Canary Islands
• Shelf life: Unopened, Ron Miel keeps for years. Once opened, drink it within 6 months for the best flavour

Rules change from time to time, so it's worth checking your airline's liquid policy and the current allowance before you fly. Buy your bottles towards the end of the week if you can, so there's less to carry around.

Small bottles are popular for gifts. Three different miniatures make a decent present for a neighbour or a colleague, and they go straight into hand luggage.

Where to buy Ron Miel in Playa Blanca

Brunchi.shop at Marina Rubicon stocks several Ron Miel brands from €8 per bottle. Florin can talk you through the differences between brands. It's the one thing we'd guarantee every customer will like. We're yet to meet anyone who's tried it and not bought a bottle.

You'll find us at Calle El Burrugo 44B, Marina Rubicon. We're open Monday to Saturday, 10am-3pm and 6pm-10pm, and closed all day Sunday. If you'd like to check we have your preferred brand before you walk over, email us at consultas@brunchi.shop.