What if I told you one spirit could transport you to a Caribbean beach, a Havana nightclub, and a tropical tiki bar—all without leaving your home? That’s the power of rum.
No other spirit adapts so effortlessly. It’s crisp in a mojito, rich in a dark ‘n’ stormy, and creamy in a piña colada. Today, I’m sharing 15 rum cocktail recipes that showcase its incredible range—from classic to creative, sweet to spicy, shaken to stirred.
Ready to become a rum mixologist? Let’s shake things up.
1. Classic Mojito
The ultimate refresher—minty, citrusy, and fizzy.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp sugar (or ¾ oz simple syrup)
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Crushed ice
How to Make It:
- In a glass, muddle mint leaves with lime juice and sugar.
- Add rum and crushed ice, then top with soda water.
- Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Look & Taste: A vibrant, herbaceous drink with a bright lime kick and a refreshing mint finish.
2. Piña Colada
Creamy, tropical, and downright dreamy.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white or gold rum
- 2 oz coconut cream
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- ½ cup crushed ice
How to Make It:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.
Look & Taste: Smooth, sweet, and bursting with pineapple-coconut goodness—like a vacation in a glass.
3. Dark & Stormy
Spicy, gingery, and bold—a perfect storm of flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz dark rum
- 4 oz ginger beer
- ½ oz lime juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
How to Make It:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rum and lime juice, then top with ginger beer.
- Stir gently and garnish with lime.
Look & Taste: Deep, molasses-rich rum meets fiery ginger with a citrusy twist.
4. Daiquiri
Simple, elegant, and perfectly balanced.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
How to Make It:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Look & Taste: Crisp, tart, and slightly sweet—a rum cocktail recipe that never gets old.
5. Mai Tai
The king of tiki drinks—complex and fruity.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz aged rum
- ½ oz orange curaçao
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ½ oz orgeat syrup
- Mint sprig for garnish
How to Make It:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain over crushed ice and garnish with mint.
Look & Taste: A tropical explosion of citrus, almond, and deep rum flavors.
6. Rum Punch
A Caribbean party in a glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz grenadine
How to Make It:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with fruit.
Look & Taste: Fruity, vibrant, and dangerously easy to drink.
7. Hurricane
Sweet, strong, and New Orleans-approved.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz dark rum
- 2 oz passion fruit juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
How to Make It:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice.
Look & Taste: Fruity, tangy, and packed with tropical vibes.
8. Cuba Libre
Rum, Coke, lime—perfection in simplicity.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white or gold rum
- 4 oz cola
- ½ oz lime juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
How to Make It:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add rum and lime juice, then top with cola.
- Stir gently and garnish with lime.
Look & Taste: Sweet, fizzy, and refreshing with a hint of citrus.
9. Zombie
A potent, fruity tiki beast.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz dark rum
- 1 ½ oz gold rum
- 1 oz overproof rum
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz grapefruit juice
- ½ oz cinnamon syrup
- ½ oz falernum
How to Make It:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a tiki mug filled with crushed ice.
Look & Taste: Intensely flavorful, spicy, and dangerously strong.
10. Painkiller
Creamy, nutty, and utterly delicious.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz dark rum
- 4 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 oz coconut cream
- Grated nutmeg
How to Make It:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with nutmeg.
Look & Taste: Like a Piña Colada’s richer, spicier cousin.
11. El Presidente
A sophisticated, slightly herbal rum cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz aged rum
- ¾ oz dry vermouth
- ½ oz orange curaçao
- ¼ oz grenadine
How to Make It:
- Stir all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Look & Taste: Smooth, slightly sweet, and elegantly balanced.
12. Jungle Bird
Bitter, sweet, and utterly unique.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz dark rum
- 1 ½ oz pineapple juice
- ¾ oz Campari
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
How to Make It:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Look & Taste: Tropical with a bold, bitter edge.
13. Corn ‘n’ Oil
Dark, rich, and Barbados-born.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz blackstrap rum
- ½ oz falernum
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
How to Make It:
- Stir all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Look & Taste: Deep, molasses-heavy with a spicy kick.
14. Batida de Coco
A creamy Brazilian delight.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz cachaça (or white rum)
- 2 oz coconut milk
- 1 oz condensed milk
- Crushed ice
How to Make It:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Look & Taste: Sweet, creamy, and irresistibly smooth.
15. Hot Buttered Rum
The ultimate winter warmer.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Boiling water
How to Make It:
- Mix butter, sugar, and spices in a mug.
- Add rum and top with hot water. Stir well.
Look & Taste: Rich, spiced, and comforting.
Conclusion
Rum truly is the most versatile spirit, capable of morphing into refreshing summer sippers, creamy tropical treats, and even cozy winter drinks. These 15 rum cocktail recipes prove that no matter your mood, there’s a rum drink for you.
