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9 Essential Rum Cocktails You Have to Try this 2022

Sam Slaughter
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Now is the perfect time to unwind and celebrate small victories, especially during these trying times. What better way to savor the dog days than with a refreshing rum cocktail? We’ve put together some of the most essential rum cocktails out there to make your day a little brighter (or hazier, whichever).

With so many rum drinks and rum types out there, we decided to narrow down the list. Below, you’ll find the rum cocktails you need to know how to make. From your standard daiquiri to hot buttered rum, we’ve got you covered. We’ve even found some of the best cheap rums if you’re drinking on a budget.

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More Cocktail Recipes:

Daiquiri

how-to-make-a-daiquiri-cocktail-lime-crop
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ingredients:

  • 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.

Related

Check out our full how to make a daiquiri guide.

The Papa Doble

Recipe found in To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion by Philip Greene Jamie Grill / Getty

Ingredients:

  • 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

South China Morning Post / Getty Images

Ingredients:

  • 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.

Check out our full list Tiki Cocktails.

Hot Buttered Rum

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ingredients:

  • 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.

Check out our Hot Buttered Recipe to get you through any cold.

Mojito

mojito mint lime cocktail
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ingredients:

  • 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.

Check out our list of the best rums for mojitos.

Piña Colada

pina colada cocktail pineapple
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ingredients:

  • 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.

Check out our list of the best rums for Piña Coladas.

Rum and Ginger Beer

rum-cocktail-lime
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ingredients:

  • 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

tropical cocktail rum runner beach
Skynesher/Getty Images

Ingredients:

  • 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

cigar drink cocktail cuba librew dark and stormy
Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images

Ingredients:

  • 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.

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Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
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