Rum in Andalucia and…sugar cane

Sugar cane and rum in Andalucia

In this article, you’ll find the essential information about an incredible rum producer in Andalucia, in Salobreña (Lobres):

• A few words about Salobreña
• The origins of sugar cane growing in Andalucia
• The rum producer: Bodega Ron El Mondero
• Where is Salobreña and the bodega?
• Book a visit to Bodega Ron El Mondero
• What to see in the area
• Book accommodation in Salobreña
• Some useful links
• Latest articles on authentic Andalucia

A few words about Salobreña

Salobreña is a small town on the Costa Tropical in the province of Granada. It looks like a beautiful white village by the sea, with its castle towering above it.

Salobreña is nicknamed the Pearl of the Costa Tropical. It’s true that it’s a marvellous place to walk around and then relax on its crystal-clear beach.

The origins of sugar cane cultivation in Andalucia

The sugar cane plant is a great traveller…

In fact, sugar cane originated in South-East Asia, mainly Indonesia. The Arabs introduced it to the territories of Al-Andalus in the 9th and 10th centuries. It was grown to produce cane sugar and syrups. Its historical production area lies between Malaga and Motril, on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Tropical.

It was the local climate and water resources that made its cultivation possible.

Later, it was the Spanish who introduced sugar cane to the Caribbean (Cuba, ….) and the Americas.

Sugarcane growing in Andalucia today

Sugar cane cultivation has almost completely disappeared today. The last sugar cane factory on the Costa del Sol – in Torre del Mar – closed in 1990, and the last one on the Costa Tropical – in Salobreña – closed a few years later.

However, there are some people who love their land and have brought this age-old local culture back to life: the Ron El Mondero bodega.

Some photos of the monda – harvest – in spring 2024

The field pictured here is less than a kilometre from Salobreña Castle and the sea.

I had no idea what an incredible job it is.

Cutting the cane with a machete….I imagined a machine harvesting it…

And then carrying it….I imagined the weight of sugar cane to be quite similar to that of bamboo….It turned out to be quite different.

The day was also an opportunity to bite directly into the sugar cane to drink the juice. To do this, a sugar cane is peeled, then pieces are cut off and crunched to extract the juice. Here we say ‘chupar la caña’.

After harvesting, the sugar cane is crushed the same day. On this occasion, I was able to taste this ‘first juice’:

Ron El Mondero Bodega

The owners of this bodega, Paco and his wife, are both passionate about their land and have achieved an incredible feat.

In fact, this is the only rum bodega in Andalucia to produce rum from 100% locally-grown sugar cane.

NB: There are a few other rum producers in Andalucia, but they import their sugar cane from Asia or the Caribbean. They often import the molasses directly, or even the rum, which they simply age in their bodega.

Paco and his wife :

• sow their own sugar cane seeds
• cultivate their fields
• take care of the harvest (monda)
• make the molienda – crush the sugar cane

• distill

• cask their rum

• and also age the rum in barrels.

Where is the El Mondero rum bodega?

Book a visit to the Ron El Mondero Bodega

If you’re interested, you can visit the Ron El Mondero winery in Lobres (Salobreña). It’s a great way to discover the origins of sugar cane in Andalucia (Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical).

Of course, the main part of the tour is devoted to the El Mondero Rum factory, the only rum made from 100% local sugar cane.

You can book online, and choose from 2 types of visit:

• guided tour with tasting of a rum, liqueur and sugarcane honey (€8)

• guided tour with tasting of a rum, liqueur and sugarcane honey AND tasting of 5 limited-edition 15-year-old rums (€22)

Here’s the link to book a visit to the Ron El Mondero bodega online.

What to see in the surrounding area

Almuñecar, the town of sexitanos

As well as its magnificent beaches, Almuñecar boasts a Roman heritage of great importance. Well worth a visit!

Here’s the link to visit Almuñecar.

Los Guajares

Los Guajares comprises three small villages of rare authenticity. They are around 20km from Salobreña.

Here’s the link to visit Los Guajares.

Nerja and the famous Balcony of Europe

Nerja’s reputation is well deserved. Its beaches and surroundings are absolutely magnificent.

Here’s the link to visit Nerja.

Book accommodation in Salobreña

Some useful links

Easy and economical bookings

• your flight

• taxi transfer

• hire car

• train and bus tickets

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