Here are 10 easy rum cocktails that everyone has heard of and taste so good. There is no excuse for you not to know how to make them! They’ll transport you on that tropical vacation as soon as you take one sip!
I know that the first cocktail I order on holiday is a Mojito – even though I prefer tequila! There is something about rum cocktails that just scream , “time to have fun.” On the warm days of summer, rum is the go to cocktail mixer.
What is Rum
White rum, light rum, dark rum, aged rum, spiced, flavored – it doesn’t matter what rum you have, you can make any of these with pretty much all kinds of rum. But what is it? Rum is distilled from the molasses that comes from sugar cane production. If you really want to know more, listen to my interview with Peter Holland, master of rum!
- White Rum: think Bacardi – clear and the simplest, with no aging usually.
- Dark Rum and Aged Rum: these are copper colored and have been aged in barrels. depending on the age, the flavors can go from vanilla to caramel to banana.
- Spiced Rum – Be careful of Spiced Rum, really get the good stuff. It can be filled with added color and sugar!
Of course, always use the best rums, fresh juices, fresh lemon juice and fresh lime juice, and of course, loads of fresh ice.
You take each cocktail recipe and make just one or take a punch bowl or large pitcher and fill it to the rim! Pick any glass – a tiki glass, highball glass, rocks glass. You’ll need a cocktail shaker for most of them!
Once you’ve made all of these try one of my new recipes, one of which is below!
Easy Rum Cocktails
This classic Daiquiri recipe is made with white rum, usually Bacardi rum. lime and simple syrup couldn't be easier. Make sure you are using fresh lime juice as it makes all the difference.
You can try muddling strawberries before shaking for a strawberry daiquiri and trying the Hemingway Daiquiri recipe as well!
This summer party cocktail accompanied by chips and salsa is my go to classic. One of the most popular cocktails ever, the Mojito can be made really badly. Add loads of lime wedges and only fresh mint.
So perfect your muddling skills at home, so the next time you are at the beach, you can instruct the bartending not to be so brutal on your mint!
The most googled classic rum cocktail of the summer, the Piña Colada is obviously a hit. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of coconut so it’s not the one I order. Still, if I were to make it, I would definitely use Dead Man’s Fingers Pineapple Rum. It gives it that pineapple boost which sometimes disappears under all that coconut!
Some who love it, use a coconut rum or coconut water along withe the coconut cream!
My friend and former Lush Life guest, Karen Hoskin of Montanya Rum in Colorado, gave me this recipe. It’s the classic recipe using Montanya Rum, of course! Just remember to dry shake the egg white before adding the ice, in order to get it as foamy as possible!
The Mai Tai was invented at Trader Vic’s restaurant in the 1940’s! Here is the exact recipe for this rum classic that you can make yourself at home!
For the best results, you really should use fresh pineapple juice and fresh orange juice!
Invented on the island of Bermuda in 1806 by a member of the Gosling family, as the story goes, the recipe for the Dark and Stormy cocktail was born.
Traditionally made with Gosling’s Black Seal rum and Gosling’s Stormy ginger beer, this fan favorite has been reinvented in all ports of call far and wide
This quintessential Caribbean rum cocktail is found on almost every island, but with its own twist. This rum punch cocktail recipe is curtesy of the Calabash Hotel in Grenada and made with home distilled Clarke’s Court Rum, with a bit of ginger and honey added to make it sweet and hot!
A Cuba Libre aka the Rum & Coke is elevated the easiest rum drink to classic cocktail status with the addition of lime! Try it with Mexican Cola to get the Latin American vibe!
Don't be afraid to substitute your bourbon for rum in this recipe for the Rum Old Fashioned! This simple twist on the classic bourbon recipe gives the cocktail a sweeter, fruitier flavor and one that is perfect for happy hour or aperitivo!
Made with fresh strawberries, the Strawberry Daiquiri recipe is a winner. It's not too sweet and with a lime wheel as garnish is so refreshing!
Another Pîna Colada Recipe!
Since this is the most sought after cocktail, I felt I couldn’t leave you without another recipe for it! This one comes straight from the island of Antigua!
English Harbour Colada
Ingredients
- 2oz English Harbour 5yr Old Rum
- 2oz Fresh Squeezed Antigua Black Pineapple Juice
- 2oz Fresh Coconut Water
- Pineapple wedge and lime wheel
Instructions
- Build in old fashioned glass over ice
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and lime wheel
Enjoy the day and toast to your favorite bar!
PIN IT FOR LATER
Disclosure: I was provided with a sample of La Hechicera Rum, Clarke’s Court Rum and Dead Man’s Fingers Pineapple Rum for the purpose of making cocktails. All my opinions and cocktail choices are my own!
Thanks for this great article. It’s really interesting and very useful. I’m glad to read it. Thanks you so much!