7 Delicious Rum Cocktails

Not just for pirates and beachcombers, rum is a multifaceted and adaptable liquor with so many great uses.

So what is rum? Rum is a distilled liquor made from sugarcane. Different Caribbean islands make different styles of rum. Light rum originates in Cuba and Puerto Rico, while Jamaica produces dark, aged rums. These dark rums often incorporate molasses as well, further deepening the flavor and body of the liquor.

There was a booming sugarcane economy in the 17th and 18th centuries. So rum was an incredibly valuable commodity among privateers and pirates alike. Even George Washington got in on the rum game, using it to boost the morale of his troops during the Revolutionary War.

Today, we pay homage to those island beginnings with an endless variety of tropical-flavored rum cocktails. However, rum’s versatility makes it a staple for any bar.

Keep reading for seven delicious rum cocktails you can make at home!

Daiquiri

Daiquiri Recipe

2 oz. light rum

1 oz. lime juice

¾ oz. simple syrup

Lime twist garnish

1. Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup* to a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds or until thoroughly chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
4. Garnish with a lime twist to serve.

*Make your own simple syrup by combining equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar, and then remove from the heat and allow to cool before using.

The Daiquiri has been the drink of choice for men of history like Ernest Hemingway and John F. Kennedy. But they didn’t entertain any notions about strawberries or blenders. This simple cocktail requires the best ingredients to get it just right. Use high-quality rum and fresh-squeezed lime juice to keep the flavors in balance. For a spring-themed twist, garnish with a mint leaf; otherwise, leave the recipe in its original state.

Piña Colada

Piña Colada Recipe (makes 2)

1 ½ cups ice

½ cup frozen diced pineapple

2 oz. pineapple juice

2 oz. Coco Lopez coconut cream

1 ½ oz. white rum

1 oz. dark rum

Pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry garnish

1. Combine the ice, pineapple pieces and juice, coconut cream, and rums in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and thoroughly chilled.
3. Pour into two glasses (or one tall glass!) and garnish with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry to serve.

This classic blended drink was created by Puerto Rican bartender Ramón Marrero at the Caribe Hilton in 1954. Originally, he made an alcohol-free version that any Caribe Hilton guest could enjoy. In no time, though, people discovered the harmony of rum with coconut and pineapple. The bartenders were soon overwhelmed with orders for strong Piña Coladas. Now the official cocktail of Puerto Rico, the Piña Colada transports drinkers to a sunny beach with just one sip.

Missionary’s Downfall

Missionary’s Downfall Recipe

1 ½ oz. white rum

1 oz. pineapple juice

¾ oz. lime juice

½ oz. peach schnapps

½ oz. honey syrup

Several mint leaves, plus more for garnish

1. Gently muddle mint leaves in a shaker.
2. Add rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, schnapps, and honey syrup* to the shaker and add ice.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds or until thoroughly chilled.
4. Strain with a julep strainer into a Hurricane or Collins glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with mint leaves to serve.

*Unlike simple syrup’s 1:1 ratio, use 3 parts honey to every 1 part water.

Tiki drinks are currently enjoying a third wave of popularity! We can thank Don the Beachcomber for the creation of this bright, refreshing cocktail in the 1930s. Many classic Tiki drinks pack quite a punch (masked by fruit juices and bold flavors). But the Missionary’s Downfall is thankfully a little less potent. Even so, it’s extremely easy to knock this one back – please drink responsibly.

Dark and Stormy

Dark and Stormy Recipe

2 oz. dark rum

½ oz. lime juice

Ginger beer to top

Lime wheel to garnish

1. Add rum and lime juice to a tall glass filled with ice.
2. Top off the drink with ginger beer and gently stir to combine.
3. Garnish with a lime wheel to serve.

It doesn’t get any easier than a Dark and Stormy! This spicy, delicious cocktail is built and enjoyed all in one vessel. You can use ginger ale in a pinch. But the warm spices and zing that ginger beer provides really take this drink to the next level! For an extra boost of refreshment, squeeze a lime wedge over the surface of the drink before garnishing with the stylish lime wheel.

Mojito

Mojito Recipe

Several mint leaves

2 oz. white rum

1 oz. lime juice

½ oz simple syrup

Club soda to top

Mint leaves and a lime wheel for garnish

1. Muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup together in a shaker before filling with ice.
2. Add rum and lime juice to the shaker and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice, using a julep strainer.
4. Top off the drink with club soda and gently stir to combine.
5. Garnish with mint leaves and lime wheel to serve.

Nothing screams summertime like a Mojito. Get a quick little arm workout muddling the mint leaves and then relax with your aromatic, fizzy cocktail. For even more mint fragrance, place your garnish mint in one palm and slap it with the other. This smack releases mint oils without bruising the delicate leaf.

Painkiller

Painkiller Recipe

2 oz. dark rum

4 oz. pineapple juice

1 oz. orange juice

1 oz. Coco Lopez coconut cream

Freshly grated nutmeg and pineapple wedge for garnish

1. Add the rum, juices, and coconut cream to a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain into a Hurricane glass or Collins glass filled with ice.
4. Grate nutmeg over the top of the drink and garnish with a pineapple wedge to serve.

While this feels like a Tiki drink, the Painkiller originated in the Virgin Islands in the 1970s. It’s tropical and refreshing, with just a touch of Coco Lopez for that creamy coconut feel. The nutmeg is a nice touch that keeps the Painkiller grounded.

Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

For the butter base (enough for 4 servings):

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

½ cup light brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground allspice

For each serving:

2 oz. dark rum

6 oz. hot water

Cinnamon stick for garnish

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter, sugar, vanilla, and spices until well incorporated.
2. Pour rum into a mug or heat-proof glass and add 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture* to the glass.
3. Top with hot water and stir to combine. Garnish with cinnamon stick to serve.

*This butter mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for future use.

Not every rum-based drink has to be beachy! For dreary cold days, take a few minutes to make this warm, comforting, hearty cocktail and beat those winter blues. While it has many more ingredients than most other cocktails, it comes together surprisingly quickly. With the remaining butter mixture in the fridge, you only need to heat some water for the next few servings of Hot Buttered Rum.

Which of these rum cocktails are you going to make first? Let us know in the comments below or over on Facebook!