Rum Alcohol Content
Plain white rum is usually 40% alcohol by volume, or 80 proof. Bacardi Superior and Captain Morgan White are both 40%.2,3 A 1.5 oz shot is 1.0 standard drink.
Spiced and flavored rums are weaker. Captain Morgan Original Spiced and Bacardi Spiced are 35%, and Malibu, a white rum with coconut liqueur, is 21%.4,5,6
Rum ABV by Brand
These strengths are printed on labels approved by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB):
How Many Standard Drinks Are in Rum?
One U.S. standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol, the amount in a 1.5 oz shot of 40% liquor.1 At 40% ABV, here is how Rum adds up:
| Serving | ABV | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 oz shot | 40% | 1.0 |
| 2 oz pour | 40% | 1.3 |
| 375 ml bottle | 40% | 8.5 |
| 750 ml bottle | 40% | 16.9 |
| 1.75 L bottle | 40% | 39.5 |
At 35%, a shot of spiced rum is 0.9 standard drinks. A rum and Coke with 2 oz of white rum is 1.3.
Rum vs Other Drinks
To count any mix of drinks, use the standard drink calculator.
How Much Rum Does It Take to Get Drunk?
That depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. Enter your weight below to see how many shots of rum reach each level.
Actual BAC depends on metabolism, food, and time.
Try our BAC calculator for more detailed tracking
Rum Alcohol FAQ
What proof is rum?
White rum is usually 80 proof (40% ABV). Spiced rum like Captain Morgan is usually 70 proof (35%).
Is spiced rum weaker than white rum?
Usually, yes. Captain Morgan Original Spiced and Bacardi Spiced are 35%, while Bacardi Superior and Captain Morgan White are 40%.
Is Malibu real rum?
Malibu is white rum mixed with coconut liqueur, so it is only 21%.
How many shots are in a 750 ml bottle?
A 750 ml bottle holds about 17 shots of 1.5 oz. A 1.75 L bottle holds about 39.
How many shots of rum does it take to get drunk?
Each 1.5 oz shot is 1.0 standard drinks. How many it takes depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. The calculator on this page shows your number.
To see how Rum affects your blood alcohol level, use the BAC calculator.
Sources
- NIAAA. What is a standard drink?
- TTB COLA 24065001000031. Bacardi Superior white rum label, 40% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 23193001000380. Captain Morgan White Rum label, 80 proof. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 23009001000806. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum label, 70 proof. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 23067001000485. Bacardi Spiced rum label, 35% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 24229001000097. Malibu Original label, white rum with coconut liqueur, 21% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.