Since the first rum cocktails came up in the British Navy - the Navy Grog, a lot has changed, and mixing drinks has evolved into a beautiful and elaborate craft.
Rum is a popular base and is featured in countless cocktail recipes - a lot of them with tropical vibes. Of this myriad of rum drinks, a few stand out. -Some are all-time favorites like the Daiquiri or the Mai Tai, others classics like the Piña Colada, and then also more recent creations.
So, here's the list of the best Rum Cocktails to make at home.
Our Best 21 Rum Cocktail Recipes
The first spots are firmly occupied by the Rum Cocktail Classics, followed by the tropical favourites of modern Tiki culture and festive rum creations and finally some lesser known recipes you should try.
1. Classic Mojito
The Mojito is one of the most famous and most ordered Rum Cocktails of the present. The recipe includes White Rum, lime juice, cane sugar, and mint, and the result is a real crowd pleaser.
2. Rum Sour
Just as tasty as the Mojito, the Rum Sour is made with a base of dark Rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, and a frothy egg white top. -Don't forget you have to dry-shake for the perfect foam. Consider trying it with Caribbean Rum like Simon Diffords.
3. Daiquiri
The Daiquiri Cocktail is one of many cocktails invented in Cuba, named after a small coastal village on the island. An American engineer created the drink made with White Rum, lime juice, syrup, and Angostura bitters.
4. Mary Pickford Rum Cocktail
The Mary Pickford is named after a famous Canadian actress and producer. The recipe requires fresh pineapple juice, Maraschino liqueur, and a teaspoon of grenadine responsible for the pink color. Or make it like famous chef Jamie Oliver, without the grenadine.
5. Cuba Libre
The Cuba Libre is a blend of Coke, rum, and limes. It was created around the time the Americans freed the Caribbean island from the Spanish. The situation turned sour quickly, but the drink became an evergreen.
6. Canchánchara Rum Cocktail
For a long time, the Canchanchara was unknown outside of Cuba. Now the cocktail from the small town of Trinidad even made it onto the official IBA list. The recipe calls for Aguardiente, honey, lime, and a clay pot to serve it in.
7. Between the Sheets
The Between the Sheets is a cocktail invented by bar legend Harry MacElhone in Paris. It consists of a split base -half white rum, half Cognac-, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice. We like it with Cointreau, but you can also try a version with Grand Marnier.
8. Old Cuban
Despite its name, the origin of this drink is not in Cuba but in New York. Famous bartender Audrey Sanders invented it in 2001. The recipe for this "new era classic" asks for aged Rum, Champagne, simple syrup, lime juice, and fresh mint.
9. Yellow Bird Rum Cocktail
This Rum Cocktail goes back to a Half Moon Resort in Jamaica but was brought to international attention by Galliano. It has a long list of ingredients, including different types of Rum, juices, Galliano, and banana liqueur.
10. Mai Tai - a Tiki favorite
The Mai Tai is one of the most influential drinks in the Tiki cocktail culture. If you do it right and use quality ingredients, this blend of Rum, Curaçao, lime, and orgeat tastes fantastic.
11. Piña Colada
Like most famous Tiki drinks, the Piña Colada does not enjoy the best reputation because it's often made cheaply with low-quality or even wrong ingredients. However, actually, the coconut-pineapple cocktail is a true delight. Blend it our use a shaker like Colleen Graham.
12. Dark & Stormy
The lower, white part of this layered Rum Cocktail consists of ginger beer, lime juice, and rich simple syrup. The stormy top is a float of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and a few drops of Angostura bitters.
13. Cobras Fang Rum Cocktail
The Cobra's Fang has a long list of tropical, sweet ingredients and a quirky name, both characteristic of Tiki cocktail culture. It's a fun drink spiked with bitters and absinthe - or Pernod like bar manager Alana Nogueda.
A refined version of the mix of Rum, lime, sugar, and water that the British Royal Navy brought to life to get through the rough days at sea without getting completely wasted.
15. Painkiller Rum Cocktail
The Painkiller Cocktail basically is a fruity version of the Piña Colada. In addition to Rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut, this recipe calls for 0.75 oz of fresh orange juice.
16. Festive Christmas Rum Sour
This Rum Cocktail replaces the regular simple syrup with a homemade spiced Christmas syrup. The garnish of dried star anise and a cinnamon stick add extra flavor.
17. Milk Punch
The Milk Punch is a traditional and warming winter drink that combines Rum with whiskey, whole milk, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
18. Cranberry Mojito
A festive version of one of the most classic and popular Rum Cocktails. The Cranberry Mojito is made with cranberry syrup and fresh cranberries.
19. Ti'Punch Rum Cocktail
The Ti' Punch is made with Rhum Agricole, a subtype of Rum made from fermented sugar cane juice. This cocktail is a great way to introduce people to the bright, more earthy, and vegetal spirit.
20. Dirty Banana Cocktail
The Dirty Banana is a rich and creamy drink with an intense banana flavor. It's somewhat of a delicious spiked milkshake. To make it, you need a ripe banana, banana liqueur, dark Rum, coffee liqueur, and cream.
21. Queens Park Swizzle
The Queens Park Swizzle makes use of the classic combination of Rum, lime, sugar, and mint but turns it into something new through the distinct preparation method.