Dilute regular 80 proof rum to 20 proof rum with water to make cooking rum, or make cooking rum from scratch. Cut sugar cane in 8” lengths. Split sugar canes in four with cleaver. Set upright in tall dutch oven, boil and simmer in a gallon of water. Makes one gallon syrupy water. Boil second time. Flip sugar canes upside down, top water off to submerge canes. Use gallon syrup water cooled, ferment with brewers yeast to make 5% rum beer, called rum wash.

Pour rum wash into water distiller, distill to cooking rum, 10 to 20 proof. Makes four cups. Discard first two cups in septic system or sewer, use second two cups. Dry and store the cooked canes, use in winter for firewood or barbecue grill.