After a good meal in Gran Canaria, do not be surprised if someone suggests a small glass of ron miel. Sweet, warming and unmistakably Canarian, this honey-and-rum drink is one of those local flavours that is easy to overlook if you stick to beer, wine and the usual holiday cocktails.
Ron miel literally means “honey rum”. It combines rum with honey to create a smoother and noticeably sweeter drink than ordinary rum. For visitors to Las Palmas, it is an easy local speciality to try without having to search for a particular restaurant or bar.
What does ron miel taste like?
If you normally find straight rum too strong, ron miel can be much more approachable. The honey softens the alcoholic edge and adds a rich sweetness, while the rum still gives the drink warmth and depth.
Different producers naturally have their own balance, so one bottle may taste more strongly of honey while another keeps more of the underlying rum character. It is generally a drink to sip rather than something I would order by the large glass.
A small drink after dinner
Ron miel works particularly well as an after-dinner drink. Order a small glass after a Canarian meal and you have a simple local alternative to coffee, brandy or a conventional liqueur.
You may encounter it served at room temperature, chilled or over ice. Personally, I think trying it in a small glass is the best introduction because the sweetness means you really do not need much.
Ron miel with cream and cinnamon
There is also a more indulgent way to serve it that is well worth trying: a shot of ron miel topped with a little cream and cinnamon.
The combination almost turns the drink into a tiny dessert. The cool, soft cream contrasts with the sweet warmth of the honey rum, while a dusting of cinnamon adds spice and aroma. Drink it as a small shot or sip through the cream depending on how it is served.
It is simple enough to recreate at home as well. Pour a small measure of ron miel into a shot glass, carefully add a little lightly whipped or pouring cream on top and finish with a pinch of cinnamon. There is no need to make it complicated.
A drink with a Canarian identity
Honey rum is closely associated with the Canary Islands and is protected by a geographical indication as Ronmiel de Canarias. That means the name is more than a generic description of any rum mixed with honey.
For a traveller, however, the important part is simpler: it is something genuinely connected to the islands and therefore worth trying while you are here.
From ron miel to the rum of Arucas
If ron miel makes you curious about Canarian rum in general, take a trip to Arucas. Destilerías Arehucas is one of Gran Canaria’s best-known producers and its historic distillery can be visited.
Arehucas produces both traditional rum and honey rum, so visiting the distillery provides some context for what you have been drinking back in Las Palmas. You can learn about production, see the famous ageing cellar and sample products before exploring Arucas itself.
Combine the distillery with the striking Church of San Juan Bautista and you have one of the easiest half-day excursions from Las Palmas.
Where can you try ron miel?
You will find ron miel in bars, restaurants and shops around Gran Canaria. If you are eating traditional Canarian food, simply ask whether they have a local ron miel for after the meal.
Bottles are also easy to find if you want to take one home. Rather than automatically buying the first bottle you see in a souvenir shop, look at supermarkets, specialist shops and local producers as well. Trying a glass in a restaurant first gives you a better idea of whether you actually enjoy the style.
One small taste of Gran Canaria
Ron miel is not a complicated gastronomic experience, and that is part of its charm. It is sweet rum, honey and a strong connection to the Canary Islands.
Try it after dinner, have it chilled on a warm evening or look for the cream-and-cinnamon version when you want something closer to a dessert shot. Then, if you want to discover where Gran Canaria’s rum tradition comes from, follow the story north from Las Palmas to Arucas.
Ron miel is an alcoholic drink. Enjoy it responsibly, and remember that alcohol rules and serving practices may differ from those in your home country.