Rum drinks are among the most versatile and delicious cocktails, especially if you’re a fan of potent potables with subtle flavors. From sweet to strong, I’ve gathered 18 of my favorite rum cocktail recipes that everyone will enjoy!
These recipes are ideal for folks who like a bit of a buzz but aren’t so keen on the taste of straight alcohol. In most of these recipes, rum is just one component of a larger whole, allowing other flavors to shine.
1. Planter’s Punch
If you enjoy the flavor of a Mai Tai but prefer something a little more sour, this revitalizing Jamaican drink is tailor-made for you! If you want it to be sweeter, substitute spice rum for dark rum.
It’s the perfect drink for the warmer months. It will surely quench your thirst.
2. Creamy Root Beer Rum Cocktail
If you enjoy tasty beverages that are both easy to make and aesthetically pleasing, this three-ingredient cocktail will rock your world. It’s a simple yet satisfying combo of root beer, spiced rum, and coffee creamer that looks like overly creamed java.
It takes three minutes to make and tastes like heaven!
3. Between the Sheets
If you want a cocktail that’s ideal for sipping and boasts a combo of sweet and tart notes, look no further! This drink is a simple twist on the traditional sidecar recipe with the addition of rum.
It takes three ingredients and five minutes to make: Cognac, rum, lemon juice, and Triple Sec.
4. Rum Runner
This invigorating summer drink has a lot going on in one glass: spiced rum, white rum, creme de banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and grenadine! It’s an explosion of deliciousness with tropical notes and intricate complexity courtesy of the spiced rum.
If you want a beach vibe that isn’t too sweet, this drink is for you.
5. Mai Tai
Most people have heard of the Mai Tai, another tangy and fruity classic that combines light rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, orange curacao, orgeat, and dark rum.
Without the rum and orgeat, this drink would be too tangy. However, they give it some charred, nutty undertones that balance out the entire cocktail.
6. Caribbean Rum Punch
If you want a tasty drink and a nice buzz without actually tasting the alcohol, Caribbean rum punch is the perfect choice! Despite having ¼ cup of dark rum and ¼ cup of rum, you’ll barely notice it beneath the lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine.
Drinking a cup of this concoction is like having an alcoholic version of the punch from your childhood birthday parties.
7. Classic Daiquiri
When discussing the most iconic rum cocktails, one simply can’t omit the daiquiri. I’m a firm believer in keeping it simple, although there are lots of variations on this drink. If you use only three ingredients, as this recipe suggests, you can create a perfectly balanced drink: lime juice, rum, and simple syrup.
For a special treat, mix everything with ice in a blender instead of a cocktail shaker and enjoy the same fantastic flavor in frozen form!
8. Classic Pina Colada
Speaking of iconic rum cocktails… You simply knew that the Pina Colada would appear on this list, as well!
Grab some aged rum, ice, frozen pineapple, lime juice, and cream of coconut.
Blend until slushy and chunky, then garnish with a cute umbrella and a cherry before sitting back, relaxing, and pretending you’re Rupert Holmes.
9. Classic Fresh Rum Mojitos
I’m such a big fan of mojitos because they’re so simple to create and taste fresh and crisp.
All it takes is five minutes, lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, white rum, club soda, and ice to whip up a drink that’ll have everyone wanting more!
10. Pineapple Basil Rum Cocktails
I’m not sure what makes garden herbs and rum go so well with pineapples, but I’m certainly a fan of whatever it is. This rum cocktail with basil and pineapple is incredibly fresh and mellow.
As a brunch cocktail, it’s sure to please.
11. Painkiller
For a creamier, richer, and darker take on the pina colada, the Painkiller is an excellent option. A dash of nutmeg is all it takes to turn orange juice, dark rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice into something magical.
Its spiced, smoky, and tropical flavor will ease your pain and take you to a warm and lovely place!
12. Dark and Stormy
Let’s kick things off with a classic cocktail for folks who like to savor the taste of alcohol while they’re drinking! In only two minutes, you can create a rich and spiced alcohol flavor with this drink, which mixes ginger beer and dark rum.
Top with a lime slice and some ice, and you’re all set!
13. Winter Spiced Apple Cocktail With Rum
When the fall and winter seasons arrive, there’s nothing I love more than a rich, spiced, warm cocktail that smells just as great as it tastes! This spiced apple cocktail fits the bill perfectly.
Just toss some lemon peel, cinnamon stick, and cloves into a saucepan with a liter of apple juice, and add the rum when your kitchen smells like the holidays.
14. Hot Buttered Rum
Although it requires a little more time than most of the other recipes on this list, this warm winter cocktail is totally worth it! Buttery and spicy, it’s unbelievably decadent, and smells just as good as it tastes. It’s almost like a creamy butterscotch candy mixed with apple cider.
15. Rum Swizzle
This delicious, fruity drink is on the sweet side and will remind you of a Mai Tai! However, you’ll use a lot more dark rum than you would in a Mai Tai, giving it a richer, deeper, and slightly smoky flavor that will bring grilled fruit kebabs to mind.
All you’ll need is white rum, dark rum, grenadine, pineapple juice, orange juice, and Angostura bitters to make this bright, strong drink, so sip slowly!
16. The Bee’s Kiss
As bees spend all day flitting from flower to flower and making honey, a kiss from one would probably leave your lips tasting of sweetness! This creamy cocktail certainly will. It takes aged rum, heavy cream, honey simple syrup, and ice to make this indulgent treat.
The rum and honey pair beautifully, and the heavy cream adds depth and thickness. It’s almost a dessert drink, but I won’t judge if you decide to enjoy it as one!
17. Hurricane
This iconic New Orleans drink has a lovely pink and peachy hue, and you can easily make it in your kitchen in just 10 minutes. It’s wonderfully tart and fruity thanks to the passion fruit, orange, and lime juices.
You can add fruit garnishes and simple syrup to sweeten it to your liking, or grenadine for its lovely color. It’s the ideal drink for almost any event.
18. Rum Sour
Even though it calls for six ingredients, you’ll only need lemon juice, dark rum, and simple syrup to make this drink.
It’s precisely what the name implies: a sour rum cocktail. For a wholly rum-flavored and sour drink, skip the simple syrup. If you want it sweetly tart, simply add more simple syrup, and top with maraschino cherries, lemon slices, and mint for aesthetics.