Rum Drink Specialty Cocktail Recipes


Interesting Facts About Rum
Rum is One of the Oldest Spirits: Rum is believed to be one of the first distilled spirits, with production dating back to the 17th century in the Caribbean.
Made from Sugarcane: Rum is distilled from sugarcane byproducts, either molasses or sugarcane juice, giving it a naturally sweet base flavor.
Has Multiple Styles: Rum varies widely in style based on its origin and aging. Common styles include light (or white) rum, gold rum, dark rum, spiced rum, and overproof rum.
The Caribbean is Known as the Heart of Rum: The Caribbean islands, particularly Barbados, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, are considered the birthplace and epicenter of rum production.
Aging in Oak Barrels: Like whiskey, rum gains flavor and color from aging in oak barrels, with the warm Caribbean climate speeding up the aging process.
Interesting Facts About Rum
White Rum is Often Unaged: Light or white rum is typically unaged or aged briefly and then filtered to remove color, resulting in a clean, clear spirit ideal for cocktails.
Rum Has Historical Ties to Piracy: Rum was a favorite of pirates, who would trade, drink, and even use it to disinfect wounds. The association with piracy has been romanticized in literature and movies.
Associated with the British Navy: British sailors were historically given daily rations of rum, known as “tot,” until the practice ended in 1970. This tradition helped establish rum’s close connection to naval history.
Diverse Production Styles by Region: Rums from different regions have unique characteristics. Cuban rum is typically light and smooth, Jamaican rum is known for bold, fruity flavors, and Martinican rum is earthy and grassy.
Aged Rum Doesn’t Always Indicate Quality: Unlike whiskey, rum does not have strict age regulations across the industry. Age statements on a bottle are often a blend of various ages, and not all countries follow the same aging standards.


Interesting Facts About Rum
The World’s Strongest Rum: Some overproof rums can reach up to 75% alcohol by volume (ABV) or higher, like Bacardi 151 or Wray & Nephew Overproof, making them extremely potent.
Rum Cocktails Are Legendary: Rum is the base for iconic cocktails like the Mojito, Daiquiri, Piña Colada, Mai Tai, and Cuba Libre, cementing its role in tropical and tiki culture.
Dark Rum Gets Its Color from Aging or Additives: Dark rum’s rich color comes either from extended aging in oak or from caramel or molasses added after distillation.
Rum Can Be Spiced: Spiced rum is flavored with various spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves, creating a unique profile suited for both sipping and mixing.
Rum Tax Funded the American Revolution: Rum was heavily taxed in the American colonies, and these taxes played a role in the unrest that led to the American Revolution.
Interesting Facts About Rum
It’s Used in Cooking and Baking: Rum is popular in culinary recipes, adding depth to desserts like rum cake and savory dishes, especially in Caribbean cuisine.
Rum Production is Environmentally Friendly in Some Distilleries: Many rum producers repurpose byproducts for biofuel, paper, and agricultural feed, making the industry more sustainable.
Rum Age Statements Vary by Country: In some countries, like the U.S., the age on the label reflects the youngest rum in the blend, while in others, like Guatemala, it reflects the oldest rum.
Barbados Is Known as the “Birthplace of Rum”: Mount Gay Distillery in Barbados, founded in 1703, is widely considered one of the oldest distilleries still producing rum today.
Rum Tasting Involves Complex Aromas: Rum offers complex tasting notes, including vanilla, caramel, tropical fruits, spices, and molasses, depending on its age, origin, and production method.

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Rum Drinks
RUM FAQ:
POPULAR QUESTIONS EXPLAINED
Discover everything you need to know about rum with our comprehensive FAQ section. From its origins and ingredients to storage tips and cocktail pairings, we answer the most common questions to help you enjoy rum to the fullest. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or new to the world of rum, this guide has you covered!
- Mojito
- 2 oz white rum, ¾ oz lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup, mint leaves, soda water.
- Muddle mint and syrup, add rum and lime juice, shake, top with soda.
- Daiquiri
- 2 oz white rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Shake with ice and strain into a coupe glass.
- Piña Colada
- 2 oz light rum, 1 oz coconut cream, 1 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz cream.
- Blend with ice and serve in a hurricane glass.
- Mai Tai
- 1½ oz white rum, ½ oz dark rum, ½ oz orange curaçao, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz orgeat syrup.
- Shake, strain over crushed ice, float dark rum on top.
- Rum Punch
- 2 oz dark rum, 2 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz orange juice, ½ oz grenadine.
- Shake, serve over ice, garnish with a cherry.
- Cuba Libre
- 2 oz white rum, cola, lime wedge.
- Serve over ice in a highball glass, garnish with lime.
- Hemingway Daiquiri
- 2 oz white rum, ½ oz maraschino liqueur, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz grapefruit juice.
- Shake, strain into a coupe glass.
- Dark ‘n’ Stormy
- 2 oz dark rum, ginger beer, lime wedge.
- Pour rum over ice, top with ginger beer, garnish with lime.
- Planter’s Punch
- 1½ oz dark rum, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup, 3 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Shake, serve over ice, garnish with mint.
- Zombie
- 1 oz white rum, 1 oz dark rum, ½ oz overproof rum, ½ oz apricot brandy, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz grenadine.
- Shake, serve over crushed ice.
Contemporary Rum Cocktails
- Rum Old Fashioned
- 2 oz dark rum, 1 tsp Demerara syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass, garnish with an orange peel.
- Jungle Bird
- 1½ oz dark rum, ¾ oz Campari, 1½ oz pineapple juice, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Shake, strain over ice, garnish with a pineapple slice.
- Navy Grog
- 1 oz white rum, 1 oz dark rum, 1 oz overproof rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ¾ oz grapefruit juice, ¾ oz honey syrup.
- Shake, serve over ice.
- Corn ‘n’ Oil
- 1½ oz blackstrap rum, ½ oz falernum, 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Stir, serve over ice, garnish with a lime wedge.
- Scorpion
- 2 oz white rum, 1 oz brandy, ½ oz orgeat syrup, ¾ oz lime juice, 1 oz orange juice.
- Shake, serve over crushed ice, garnish with a lime wheel.
- El Presidente
- 1½ oz white rum, ¾ oz dry vermouth, ½ oz orange curaçao, 1 tsp grenadine.
- Stir, strain into a coupe glass, garnish with an orange twist.
- Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
- 2 oz aged rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz orange curaçao, ½ oz falernum.
- Shake, strain into a coupe glass.
- Canchánchara
- 2 oz white rum, ¾ oz lime juice, 1 oz honey syrup.
- Shake, strain over ice, garnish with a lime wedge.
- Rum Negroni
- 1 oz aged rum, 1 oz Campari, 1 oz sweet vermouth.
- Stir, strain into a rocks glass, garnish with an orange twist.
- Rum Mule
- 2 oz rum, ½ oz lime juice, ginger beer.
- Serve over ice, garnish with a lime wheel.
Tropical & Fruity Rum Cocktails
- Painkiller
- 2 oz dark rum, 4 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz coconut cream.
- Shake, serve over ice, garnish with nutmeg.
- Caribbean Rum Punch
- 2 oz rum, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz pineapple juice, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz grenadine.
- Shake, serve over ice.
- Blue Hawaiian
- 1 oz light rum, 1 oz blue curaçao, 2 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz coconut cream.
- Shake, serve over ice, garnish with a cherry.
- Bahama Mama
- 1 oz coconut rum, 1 oz dark rum, ½ oz coffee liqueur, 2 oz pineapple juice, ½ oz lime juice.
- Shake, serve over ice.
- Rum Runner
- 1 oz light rum, 1 oz dark rum, 1 oz banana liqueur, 1 oz blackberry liqueur, ½ oz lime juice.
- Shake, strain over ice, garnish with a lime wedge.
- Hurricane
- 2 oz dark rum, 1 oz light rum, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz passion fruit syrup, grenadine.
- Shake, serve over ice.
- Mai Tai Swizzle
- 2 oz aged rum, 1 oz lime juice, ¾ oz simple syrup, ½ oz orgeat syrup, 1 oz pineapple juice.
- Swizzle with crushed ice.
- Coconut Mojito
- 2 oz coconut rum, ¾ oz lime juice, 1 oz coconut cream, mint leaves, soda water.
- Muddle mint, shake, top with soda.
- Tiki Punch
- 1 oz light rum, 1 oz dark rum, 2 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz passion fruit syrup, ½ oz lime juice.
- Shake, serve over ice.
- Tropical Storm
- 2 oz dark rum, 1 oz passion fruit syrup, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz ginger beer.
- Serve over ice, garnish with a lime wedge.
Spiced & Bold Rum Cocktails
- Spiced Rum Sour
- 2 oz spiced rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup, egg white.
- Dry shake, then shake with ice, strain.
- Hot Buttered Rum
- 2 oz dark rum, 1 tsp butter, 1 tsp brown sugar, cinnamon, hot water.
- Stir in a mug, garnish with cinnamon stick.
- Winter Daiquiri
- 2 oz spiced rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz maple syrup.
- Shake, strain into a coupe glass.
- Rum Flip
- 2 oz dark rum, ½ oz simple syrup, 1 whole egg.
- Shake vigorously with ice, strain, garnish with nutmeg.
- Tiki Old Fashioned
- 2 oz aged rum, ¼ oz falernum, 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass, garnish with orange peel.
- Spiced Mojito
- 2 oz spiced rum, ¾ oz lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup, mint leaves, soda water.
- Muddle mint, shake, top with soda.
- Gingerbread Daiquiri
- 2 oz dark rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz gingerbread syrup.
- Shake, strain into a coupe glass.
- Spicy Pineapple Rum Punch
- 2 oz rum, 1 oz pineapple juice, ½ oz lime juice, jalapeño slices, soda water.
- Shake, strain over ice, top with soda.
- Cinnamon Rum Punch
- 2 oz dark rum, 1 oz cinnamon syrup, ½ oz lime juice, apple slices.
- Shake, strain over ice, garnish with apple slices.
- Rum & Ginger Smash
- 2 oz dark rum, ginger slices, mint, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Muddle ginger and mint, shake, strain over ice.
Creative & Modern Rum Cocktails
- Pineapple Rum Sour
- 2 oz white rum, ¾ oz pineapple juice, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Shake, strain into a coupe glass.
- Blackberry Rum Smash
- 2 oz rum, blackberries, mint leaves, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Muddle blackberries and mint, shake, strain over ice.
- Rum Cosmo
- 2 oz white rum, ¾ oz triple sec, ½ oz cranberry juice, ½ oz lime juice.
- Shake, strain into a martini glass.
- Coconut Rum Punch
- 2 oz coconut rum, 1 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz orange juice, ½ oz lime juice.
- Shake, serve over ice.
- Strawberry Rum Sour
- 2 oz rum, ¾ oz lime juice, 1 oz strawberry puree, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Shake, strain into a coupe glass.
- Tamarind Rum Punch
- 2 oz dark rum, 1 oz tamarind syrup, ¾ oz lime juice.
- Shake, serve over ice.
- Coconut Rum Espresso Martini
- 2 oz coconut rum, 1 oz espresso, ½ oz coffee liqueur, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Shake, strain into a martini glass.
- Kiwi Rum Smash
- 2 oz rum, kiwi slices, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Muddle kiwi, shake, strain over ice.
- Mango Rum Cooler
- 2 oz rum, 1 oz mango puree, ½ oz lime juice, soda water.
- Shake, serve over ice, top with soda.
- Passionfruit Rum Punch
- 2 oz rum, 1 oz passionfruit puree, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz simple syrup.
- Shake, serve over ice.
Rum is distilled from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice. The fermentation, distillation, and aging processes influence the flavor profile of the rum.
Rum comes in several varieties, including:
- Light (White) Rum: Clear and mild, often used in cocktails.
- Dark Rum: Aged longer with a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Gold Rum: Aged for a medium time, offering a smooth balance of flavor.
- Spiced Rum: Flavored with spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Overproof Rum: High alcohol content, often exceeding 50% ABV.
- Aged (Premium) Rum: Aged for years to develop complex flavors.
Light rum is typically unaged or aged briefly and filtered to remove color, giving it a mild flavor. Dark rum is aged longer in charred barrels, giving it a deeper, richer flavor with notes of caramel, molasses, and spices.
Rum can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed in cocktails. Popular rum cocktails include Mojitos, Piña Coladas, Daiquiris, Mai Tais, and Rum Punch.
Spiced rum is infused with additional spices and flavorings like vanilla, cinnamon, or clove, giving it a unique, aromatic taste. Standard rum is not flavored but may develop natural notes during aging.