I’ve compiled a list of the best rum cocktails, and I took care to include some casual drinks, some highballs, some strong and funky cocktails, and at least one that will surprise you! So here they are, my list of the best 7 rum cocktails out there.
1. Cuba Libre
Cuba Libre is a very old highball, and it’s definitely one of my favorite ways to enjoy rum. It’s a simple mix of rum, Cola, and lime that gets the party started, and you can have several throughout the night while still having fun. What’s better, you can turn this into a lowball if you’re looking for something stronger. Check out the recipe here.
2. Mai Tai
Mai Tai is a delicious mix of several ingredients, with rum being the key here. This is a very strong cocktail, full of flavor, and it’s perhaps the best tiki cocktail to ever tiki. If you’re looking for something that screams fun and summery, the Mai Tai is the way to go. Check out the recipe here.
3. Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle comes a bit out of left field, but it’s surprisingly good! It’s a combination I never thought I’d see: rum and honey as the key ingredients. Delicious, very flavorful, and a welcome change to the usual rum combinations. Check out the recipe here.
4. Cable Car
Cable car is the staple of San Francisco, created by Tony Abou-Ganim of SanFran, and it’s actually a modified Sidecar. Spiced rum, cinnamon, and orange are the stars of this show, so this is one of the more unique rum cocktails you’ll find. Definitely give it a try if you’re looking for something non-classic. Check out the recipe here.
5. Caribeno
Caribeno is a mild, chill, relaxed rum highball that will remind you of the relaxing part of your last island vacation. Starring white rum and coconut water, Caribeno is a drink you can sip on for ages, and it’s perhaps one of the most quintessential Caribbean cocktails. Check out the recipe here.
6. Pina Colada
Ah, the Pina Colada, who can resist it? I certainly can’t hence why it’s on this list here. This classic pineapple, coconut, and rum mix is probably the first tiki drink people have, and most of us have fallen in love with it. It can and does get a little sweet, and pineapple is excellent at hiding exactly how strong the alcohol is, so drink this in moderation. Check out the recipe here.
7. Bay Breeze
The Bay Breeze is a riff on the Sea Breeze, and it’s a beautiful mix of white rum, pineapple, and cranberry that will give you a very well-balanced sweet and sour cocktail. Think of it as a nice gateway to fall rum drinks like these rum cocktails, especially if you’re coming from vodka-cranberry territory. Check out the recipe here.
So those were my top 7 rum cocktails perfect for the cozy fall rum drinks season. I hope you’ve enjoyed them, and I sincerely hope you give both white and dark rum a try since they each have their advantages. The cocktails I’ve listed above—some use dark rum, some white, and one even blends both beautifully.
