With origins in the Caribbean, rum is a spirit that’s made from distilling and fermenting the molasses that’s created as a by- product when sugarcane is processed into sugar. Rums can vary widely in aroma and flavor, from vanilla and caramel to cloves and spice, especially when comparing light versus dark rum.
But regardless of what kind of rum you like, or which bottle you have on hand, pretty much any rum can be whipped up into a yummy cocktail for your National Rum Day celebrations. Here are 11 tasty Tropical Rum cocktail recipes from iconic distilleries and expert mixologists.
1. Light After Dark
Light After Dark.
This recipe features Bali Hai Tiki Dark rum from Cutwater Spirits, which is made from the company’s four year barrel-aged rum combined with a lighter white rum, merging flavors of warm toffee, caramel, and vanilla. Mixed with fresh citrus and fruit juice, this cocktail is an easy summer refresher.
Ingredients:
2 oz Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum
1 oz lime juice
.75 oz orange juice
.75 oz pineapple juice
.5oz vanilla syrup
Method: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake until cold and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice.null
2. Monkey Wrench
Monkey Wrench.
This recipe features two more bottles from Cutwater. First, you have their Bali Hai Tiki Monkey, which is a rum combined with cream, cold brew coffee, cocoa nibs, and natural banana flavors for a one-stop vacation mode shop. Blend in the Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum, which features tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut, with a banana and chocolate syrup, and you’ve got your daily serving of fruit taken care of, too.
Ingredients:
3 oz Bali Hai Tiki Monkey
1 oz Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum
1 banana
Chocolate syrup
Method: Blend all ingredients together with ice. Drizzle chocolate syrup on the side of the glass, and pour. Garnish with shaved chocolate
3. Dark ‘n Stormy
Dark ‘n Stormy.
This famous (and trademarked) recipe comes from Goslings Rum, Bermuda’s oldest and largest export, and is one of the most classic and straightforward ways to enjoy rum.
Ingredients:
2 oz Goslings Black Seal Rum
6 oz ginger beer (preferably Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer)
Method: In a glass filled with ice, add Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer and top with a float of Goslings Black Seal Rum. Optional: Garnish with a lime wedge.null
4. South Shore
South Shore.
If you’re looking for a slightly sweeter rum, try the lighter Goslings Gold Seal. This rum offers a butterscotch taste with touches of vanilla, florals, and nutmeg. Combined with lemonade, ginger beer, and mint, it’s simple and refreshing.
Ingredients:
2 oz Goslings Gold Seal Rum
4 oz lemonade
2 oz Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer
Fresh mint
Method: Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in Gold Seal Rum, lemonade, and ginger beer. Slap two to four mint leaves to release flavorful oils, add to the glass, and stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge and mint sprig
5. Zacapa Sour
Zacapa Sour.
This sour features Zacapa, an rum that is produced in Guatemala. The Zacapa 23 Centenario is a solid mid-hued spirit, with notes of butterscotch, raisin, and warm oak. Shaken thoroughly with fresh citrus, this cocktail is a smooth introduction for people who are new to drinking rum.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Zacapa 23 Centenario
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
0.75 oz simple syrup
Edible flowers
Method: Combine all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with edible flowers.
6. White Mojito
White Mojito.
Captain Morgan is no longer the rum of your college weekend flashbacks — here, it’s elevated in a classic Mojito with lime and mint.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Captain Morgan White Rum
.5 oz simple syrup
6 mint leaves
Half lime, sliced
1 oz club soda
Method: Muddle limes and mint, Captain Morgan White Rum, and simple syrup together. Add ice and top with club soda. Garnish with mint and lime.
7. Beach Side Chiller
Beach Side Chiller Beach Side Chiller. Captain Morgan For tropical with a touch of spice, top off Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum with a touch of their White Coconut Rum, pineapple and orange juice, and cream of coconut. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum .5 oz Captain Morgan White Coconut Rum 4 ounces pineapple juice 1 oz cream of coconut 1 oz orange juice Method: Mix together Captain Morgan original spiced rum, Captain Morgan white Coconut rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and orange juice. Garnish with pineapple leaf.
8. The Burrell Daiquiri
The Burrell Daiquiri.
If you want to splurge on a fancier bottle of rum, try this recipe featuring Equiano Rim by the company’s cocreator, expert mixologist, and world renowned rum ambassador Ian Burrell. This rum has a natural sweetness, with notes of orange peel, butterscotch, and sweet pepper, and pairs smoothly in Burrell’s twist on a classic Daiquiri.
Ingredients:
2 oz Equiano
1 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz agave nectar
3 dashes orange bitters
Twist of orange garnish
Method: Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain in chilled cocktail glass — serve straight up; without ice. Garnish with an orange twist.null
9. Gold + Stormy
Gold + Stormy.
Burrell softens the classic Dark n’ Stormy with this golden alternative that is light and easy to make.
Ingredients:
2 oz Equiano
8 oz ginger ale
2 lime wedges
Large twist of orange peel
Method: Pour the Equiano Rum into a tall, highball glass. Top off with the ginger ale (bitter/dry) or ginger beer (sweet). Top off with ice. Garnish with an orange twist and a lime twist or two. a
10. Cayo Espanto Wave
The Espanto Wave is the signature drink of Cayo Espanto, an exclusive seven-villa resort located just off the coast of Belize. Blue Curaçao adds a vibrant color, and pineapple and lime round out this fruity frozen beverage.
Ingredients:
1 oz of Captain Morgan Rum
.5 oz of Blue Curacao Liquor
.3 oz of Amaretto
.5 oz of Triple Sec
1 oz of pineapple squash
1 oz of lime juice
1 tablespoon of sugar
Ice cubes
Method: Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and frozen. Serve in tall glass.
11. Kukui’ula Mai Tai
Kukui ula Mai Tai.
From The Lodge at Kukui’ula in Hawaii, this Mai Tai cocktail uses Kola Rumthat’s locally distilled on Kauai, combined with fresh tropical juice.
Ingredients:
1 oz Koloa Gold Rum
1.8 oz fresh pineapple juice
1.8 oz fresh orange juice
.4 oz Gifford’s Orgeat Syrup
1 oz Koloa Dark Rum (as a float)
Method: Shake all ingredients minus Dark Rum over ice, add Dark Rum as float, and garnish with fresh pineapple.
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