As flexible as any spirit out there, rum is royalty among fellow spirits. Given its tropical heritage, one can argue it offers some much-needed breezy escapism as well. You may not actually be on a palm tree-studded island, but after a sip of good rum or an excellent rum cocktail, you can easily imagine such a thing.
Whether it’s a tiki drink, Cuba Libre, daiquiri, Dark and Stormy, or something else entirely, the best rum for mixing comes shining through. The sugarcane- or molasses-based spirit, often barrel-aged for added depth and nuance, is the hero of many, many drinks. Not only that, but should you feel inclined to keep the beach bum spirit alive, you can even plug it into some of your other favorite cocktails. Next time you’re making an Old Fashioned or Negroni, call up rum in place of bourbon for the former and in lieu of gin in the latter. You can thank us later.
The best rum for mixing
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First and foremost, you’re going to need a solid mixing rum. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here are our top recommended rums for mixing in cocktails.
Flor de Caña 4
Light and full of finesse, this four-year rum is great for simple cocktails. The banana, coconut, vanilla, and oak notes are great on their own but even better in a daiquiri or a leaner version of a Hurricane. It’s also great to have on hand for providing a little kick to fresh-squeezed juice or soda water.
Bacardí Ocho
Another bartender staple, this rum is excellent for the price. It throws heaps of strawberry, plum, apricot, and spice at your palate, along with some vanilla bean and a grassy finish.
Chairman’s Reserve
This Caribbean rum is a blend of pot and column-distilled spirits. It offers a ton of tropical notes, like baked pineapple, banana, and even a hint of coconut and coffee bean. Made in St Lucia, it offers expansive flavors that will have you thinking sandy toes and trunks.
Kasama
Dressed in a delightful bottle, this rum is made from cane juice and aged seven years in American oak barrels. Translating to “together” in Filipino, Kasama is sweet, fruit-driven, and a little briny.
Hamilton Demerara 86
Offering some of the deepest, darkest flavors in rum, Hamilton is a great choice. The rum from Guyana dazzles in the glass but is also great to cook with. It’s ideal in a Dark and Stormy or a piña colada. Try it as a stand-alone rum when mixing or cut it with a lighter rum to find your ideal sweet spot.
Ron Zacapa 23-Year Centenario
A higher-end rum largely due to extensive aging, this Zacapa offering is great for adding a little more personality and nuance to your favorite rum beverages. It boasts a nice length and a rustic finish. Think less sunny beach and more woodsy, tropical rainforest.
Appleton Estate Reserve Blend
Appleton has become a classic for good reason. The Jamaican rum is a mix of 20 separate lots, blended beautifully. Big and balanced, it offers warm and toasty notes, making it a great swap for bourbon, whisky, or rye. You’ll quickly see why there’s at least one bottle of this stuff in every great bartender’s stash.
Don Papa Rum
The sugary side of rum really comes through with this Filipino product. It offers toffee, cream, and pastry notes, making it a great addition when looking to add richness and roundness to a drink. When mixing with Don Papa, consider using less simple syrup (or none altogether) if the recipe calls for it as the rum offers plenty in the way of sweetness.
Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
This higher-octane spiced rum is made for frozen or crushed ice drinks that tend to dilute more easily. The baking spice notes and candied citrus elements fair well in most cocktails and can even enliven things like herbal teas. Sailor Jerry is another classic name you’ll see listed in just about every good tiki bar in the land.
Havana Club Anejo 3-Year
This standout Cuban rum is minimally aged, affording it a real freshness. It’s easily one of the smoothest light rums out there, excellent in a drink like a mojito.
Koloa Cacao Rum
This Hawaiian rum is made with chocolate, making it a great post-meal sipper in its own right but also great with coffee cocktails or heavier drinks like a White Russian. It’s a buttery gem with mocha notes and plenty of heft.
How to make a Hurricane
This simple island-like rum drink features tropical and fruity flavors and is courtesy of Delish with our suggestions of which rums to mix it with. This recipe is for two servings.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum (may we suggest the Flor de Caña 4?)
- 3 ounces dark rum (may we suggest the Hamilton Demerara 86?)
- 6 ounces passion fruit juice
- 6 ounces orange juice
- 2 tablespoons grenadine
- Ice
- 2 orange slices
- 2 maraschino cherries
Method
- Combine the rums, passion fruit juice, orange juice, and grenadine in a large mixing cup.
- Pour mixture over iced-filled cocktail glasses of your choosing.
- Garnish each glass with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
- Enjoy!
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