You can go into any worthwhile bar around the world (or, hell, even a dive bar) and you’ll find at least a bottle of two of rum, and for good reason (that reason not being because you’re a pirate and they knew you were coming, although if that is actually the reason, then carry on, matey): Because there is such a variety of types of rum, the category as a whole is incredibly malleable when it comes to drinks. A fine aged rum is a perfect sipper to pair with a cigar, while light rums make a great cocktail ingredient (including, but not limited to Tiki drinks, of course).
With so many rum drinks out there, we decided to pare the list down a little. Below, you’ll find the rum cocktails you need to know how to make. From your standard daiquiri (and Ernest Hemingway’s personal version, the Papa Doble) to the perfect winter warmer, hot buttered rum, we’ve got you covered.
Need rum to make these drinks? Here’s a great list of starter bottles. You can also check out our picks for the best American unaged rum and best American aged rum.
Daiquiri
- 1.5 oz white rum
- 1 oz lime juice
- .5 oz simple syrup
- Lime wheel, for garnish
Method: Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
The Papa Doble
(Recipe found in To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion by Philip Greene)
- 3.75 oz white rum
- 2 oz lime juice
- 2 oz grapefruit juice
- 6 drops maraschino liqueur
Method: Blend well with ice and pour in a large glass.
Mai Tai
- 1.5 oz white rum
- .75 oz dark rum
- .5 oz lime juice,
- .5 oz orange curaçao
- .5 oz orgeat
- Mint leaf, for garnish
Method: Shake all ingredients (except dark rum) with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass. Float dark rum on top and garnish with a mint leaf.
Hot Buttered Rum
- 2 oz dark rum
- 5 oz hot water
- 1 pat no-salt butter, softened
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- .5 tsp cinnamon
- .5 tsp vanilla extract
- .25 tsp nutmeg
- .25 tsp allspice
Method: Put butter and spices in the bottom of an Irish coffee mug and muddle together. Add rum, vanilla, and hot water. Stir to combine.
Mojito
- 1.5 oz white rum
- 6-8 mint leaves (and an additional sprig for garnish)
- 1 oz lime juice
- 2 tsp powdered sugar
- Club soda, to top
Method: Muddle mint, sugar, and lime juice in the bottom of a tall glass. Add ice and rum. Top with club soda and stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint leaves.
Piña Colada
- 1.5 oz white rum
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz coconut cream
- Pineapple wedge, for garnish
Method: Shake ingredients together and strain into a glass with ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge. To make it a blended drink, add ingredients and ice to a blender. Blend and pour into a goblet.
Rum and Ginger Beer
- 2 oz dark rum
- 3.25 oz ginger beer
- Angostura bitters
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Method: In a highball glass filled with ice, add rum and ginger beer. Add a few dashes of bitters and garnish with lime wedge.
Rum Runner
- 1 oz light rum
- 1 oz dark rum
- .5 oz banana liqueur
- .5 oz blackberry brandy
- 1 oz orange juice
- .5 oz pineapple juice
- .5 oz lime juice
- Dash of grenadine
- Pineapple leaf, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Method: Combine all ingredients with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass with ice. Garnish with a cocktail cherry and pineapple leaf.
Cuba Libre
- 2 oz white rum
- 4 oz cola
- 1 oz lime juice
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Method: Add rum, cola, and lime juice to a tall glass with ice. Stir lightly and garnish with a lime wedge.
