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Dec 29, 2023

19 Rum Drinks to Sip Whether You’re on a Beach or Not

By Zoe Denenberg and The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors There’s a special place in our hearts for kitschy glasses with paper umbrella garnishes, but rum drinks go far beyond piña coladas and frozen

By Zoe Denenberg and The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors

There’s a special place in our hearts for kitschy glasses with paper umbrella garnishes, but rum drinks go far beyond piña coladas and frozen daiquiris. A popular choice for tropical mixed drinks, rum has a warm, grassy flavor that pairs well with bright, bold flavors, such as citrus, ginger, or fruit juices like passion fruit (as in the Hurricane, considered by many the signature drink of New Orleans; though that distinction actually belongs to the Sazerac). But some of the most classic rum-based cocktails lean into elegance and simplicity: A mojito stirred with a piece of sugarcane or a sleek Cuban sour (a.k.a. the OG daiquiri).

Rum ranges in color from clear to deep amber. Unaged white rum is clear with a mild flavor, while aged white rums offer more complexity. Gold rum has a light amber hue and a warm, grassy flavor with vanilla, caramel, and citrus notes. Dark rum offers a deeper color and more intense flavor with strong notes of caramel and butterscotch. Darkest of all, black rum is a complex, full-bodied spirit (particularly good in hot buttered rum). Variations include spiced rum, coconut rum, rhum agricole (which you can think of as the rum family’s equivalent to moonshine), and more. So pick the type of rum you like best, break out the shaker, and get ready to mix a rum drink even Jack Sparrow would envy.

One of the most iconic rum drinks, this classic piña colada is made with fresh pineapple, cream of coconut, and coconut milk, plus a powerful blend of white and dark rum. The real trick to this frozen drink is to blend it, freeze it, and then blend it again. And don’t even think about skipping the maraschino cherry on top.

Next to the Painkiller, this rum drink might be the most recognizable tiki cocktail around. The blend of white and dark rums get a hefty dose of lime juice, orange curaçao, and simple syrup. Orgeat, an almond syrup, lends delicate nuttiness.

The secret to the perfect mojito? Muddling the mint leaves in simple syrup allows them to release their essential oils before mixing in the lime juice and rum.

This frosty riff on the classic Dark and Stormy is best sipped poolside—ideally without a cloud in the sky.

White rum is key to this cocktail’s smooth-but-light flavor. Swap it out for something darker if you prefer a warmer drink with toffee and vanilla notes.

If you’ve never infused spirits before, the process is much easier than you might expect. Just let banana chips soak in rum for a week at room temperature, and boom: You’ve got banana rum; use it in place of banana liqueur.

Jalapeño simple syrup heats up this big-batch cocktail recipe’s tart-sweet combo of lime and orange juices. It works well with a splash of rum, but it's just as fun to drink when you’d rather skip the booze.

Dark rum adds toasty depth to this classic holiday cocktail. Want to change it up? Try a coquito, Puerto Rico’s creamy, coconutty version of the festive punch; or this dairy-free eggnog is made from a combination of cashew, hazelnut, and coconut milks.

Usher in fall with this seasonal punch, mixing hard cider with lemon juice, aged rum, and Angostura bitters. Don’t skimp on the ice—dilution is critical for a balanced drink.

A pinch of salt balances the juicy strawberry syrup and white rum in this fruity daiquiri. Serve this supremely refreshing drink alongside your favorite strawberry dessert.

A homemade rhubarb syrup adds spring flair (and the requisite tang, along with fresh lime juice) to this pretty pink rum drink.

Caramelized tangerines and earthy rosemary give this riff on rum punch sunshiney, day-drinking vibes (brunch cocktails, anyone?), but it’s just as fitting for a cooling sunset-hour libation.

Pair tart cranberries with spicy ginger beer and white rum in this effervescent punch, ideal for a fall dinner party. Cranberry-studded ice cubes make it feel truly festive.

Topped with sparkling wine, this bubbly riff on a negroni pairs amber rum with Campari and sweet vermouth.

In its purest form, this classic rum cocktail recipe abides by the simple structure of any sour: spirit, lemon or lime juice, and a little sweetener. The margarita and sidecar follow the same formula.

Inspired by the Jungle Bird—a tiki drink made with Campari, pineapple juice, and blackstrap rum—this recipe swaps bittersweet Aperol for Campari but keeps the pineapple leaf garnish.

Let your guests choose their own adventure with this summery sour cocktail: The fruit syrup pairs well with dark or light rum, gin, tequila, or mezcal.

This take on a classic rum cocktail swaps the ginger beer for a homemade ginger-lemon tonic that’s just as delicious mixed with club soda.

The best rum drink is served inside a pineapple. With ruby red grapefruit juice and sparkling rosé, this is just the refresher you need on a hot summer day.

By Zoe Denenberg

By Nina Moskowitz

By Zoe Denenberg