Christmas cake - rum choices

[Maggiethecat]

Standing in supermarket contemplating if I should get proper Wray and Nephew overproof rum to soak my dried fruit for Xmas cake.
I'm late this year in soaking so need to crack on but am dithering at the eye watering price of £28 for 70cl!!

Anyone used Bacardi or some other cheaper rum for this purpose?

Feels like I’m cheating but will I even know the difference?!

I prefer a dark rum for soaking my Christmas cake fruit. Sainsburys own brand is good. Wray and Nephew for my sorrel though!

@skippy67 - I forgot about that! Used to use Appleton Gold whenever Dm would send me some but will look out for dark rum in shops.

I think I may have used Captain Morgan spiced rum before but will defo be looking for cheaper alternatives and save Mr Wray and his nephews for drinking!!!

I soak my fruits in Red Label Wine very cheap less than £10 for the big bottle

Not sure if it's helpful but I recently tried a rum at a winter market called Doctor Hudus. They had a black cherry one or a coconut and vanilla. Absolutely gorgeous! About £36 a bottle but worth it

@MommySENson - I can’t recall seeing red label wine in shops here.

@WhamBamThankU - sounds lovely but the definitely not for my Xmas cake!

I always use sherry, might try rum this year to see if its nicer.

This has inspired me and I know I’m late, but I’m going to try this year. Can you use any sweetish red or does it have to be the red label wine?

You can get it at any Afro Caribbean shop or some corner shops.

@MommySENson - I’ll look out for it!

@MCOut - doesn’t have to be red label but that’s traditional for Jamaicans.
I've been using port wine - look out for any on special.
I actually just soaked fruit last night - used port wine and white rum.
starting to feel festive!

Ok thank you ladies. I wasn’t sure if it was worth ordering the red label and waiting for delivery if it doesn’t make a difference overall to the taste.

My mum used to do this too.

Slight derail, but does anyone know where I can buy sorrel? Not the ready made one, but the actual leaves? determined to make it this year, if I can find it. we live in SE London, so pretty confident it shouldn't be too difficult.

not in London anymore but you should be able to get dried sorrel in West Indian food shops and even some Asian shops (it’s called hibiscus)

@skippy67
East Street Market

Thank you.