There’s something wonderfully theatrical about the Corn ‘n’ Oil. It’s a drink built to be looked at before it’s stirred, with the dark rum settling on top of the falernum like oil floating on water.
The name comes from that visual, corn syrup and machine oil separating in a jar, though thankfully what’s actually in your glass tastes a great deal better than that sounds. Dark, spiced and just a little rustic, it’s one of the great old Caribbean classics and a drink every rum fan should have in their back pocket.
What Is a Corn ‘n’ Oil Cocktail?
The Corn ‘n’ Oil hails from Barbados and is built around dark rum, falernum and a good dash of Angostura bitters.
Falernum is a Caribbean liqueur flavored with lime, clove, ginger and almond, and it’s what gives this drink its signature warmth and spice. Some versions add a squeeze of lime juice to brighten things up, though the classic build keeps it simple and spirit-forward. Either way, it’s proof that rum drinks don’t have to be sweet and fruity to be great, though if tropical and fruity is what you’re after, the Mai Tai has you covered too.
Corn ‘n’ Oil Ingredients
You’ll need just a handful:
- dark or blackstrap rum
- falernum
- Angostura bitters
- lime juice (optional)
Reach for a rich, full-bodied dark rum here. The whole point of this drink is that deep, almost treacly rum flavor sitting right on the surface, so a thin or overly light rum won’t give you the same effect.
What Does a Corn ‘n’ Oil Taste Like?
Bold and a little brooding, with the dark rum leading the way in molasses and dried fruit. The falernum brings clove, ginger and a touch of lime underneath, while the bitters add a savory, aromatic backbone that keeps the whole thing from tipping into dessert territory. It’s a cousin of the Dark ‘n’ Stormy in spirit, but moodier and more spice forward.
Why A Lush Life Loves It
This is a drink I love for its honesty. No fuss, no garnish parade, just good dark rum doing exactly what it does best. It’s the kind of cocktail that feels like it belongs on a porch somewhere warm, ideally with the sun going down and nowhere in particular to be.
Corn ‘n’ Oil FAQ
Where does the Corn ‘n’ Oil come from?
It’s a classic Barbadian cocktail, built around dark rum and falernum.
Is the Corn ‘n’ Oil served stirred or layered?
Traditionally it’s built in the glass and left mostly unstirred, so the rum floats on top and gives the drink its name. A light stir just before drinking brings it all together.
Can I make a Corn ‘n’ Oil without falernum?
Not really. Falernum’s clove, lime and ginger notes are what define the drink, so it’s worth seeking out rather than substituting.
Here is the recipe
Corn ‘N’ Oil
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blackstrap rum (or aged Barbados rum)
- ½ ounce falernum
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: lime wedge
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Add the rum, falernum, lime juice and bitters and stir to combine. (Alternatively, you can add the rum last by slowly pouring it over the back of a bar spoon so that it floats on top of the drink.)
- Garnish with a lime wedge.