I am obsessed with Tiki. While (American) tiki cocktails have been around since the 1930’s and 40’s, they have seen a resurgence within the upper echelon of cocktail bars over the last decade and are now starting to trickle down to the home bartender. Flavorful, playful, and not-so-strict, I am thrilled to see growing interest in the best cordials, syrups, and — most importantly — Rums for this colorful category of cocktails.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing which Rums to bring home, whether you’re a tiki fan or not, is what kind of flavor experience you are looking for.
Rum is made from distilled sugarcane byproduct (sugarcane juice or molasses). The style and flavor profile are influenced by where it’s made (yes, Rum has terroir), what type of sugar byproduct it’s made from, what the distiller is trying to achieve, and how long and in what type of barrel it is matured in. All these elements influence the final product, which then influences what type of cocktail a particular Rum is best in. Jamaican pot-stilled Rum, for example, is ideal for a Planter’s Punch or a Zombie, whereas Puerto Rican White Rum is best for a classic Daiquiri.
So, how should you drink Rum? Below are a couple basics followed by a few suggested cocktails by Rum style.
3 ways to drink Rum
1. Cocktails
From complex tiki cocktails to simply one mixer and a spirit, Rum can be mixed up in a lot of different types of cocktails.
An easy way to start drinking Rum is to swap it out in cocktails that feature other spirits. Swap out Whiskey for a Dark or Spiced Rum in an Old fashioned or Manhattan. The dark Rum will add spice and flavor just like the Whiskey but with a twist. White Rum is also perfect to swap out for Vodka in a mMule.
Depending on the cocktail you are making, you might want to reach for a different style of Rum. Simpler flavors (and sometimes a touch of sweetness) make White Rum perfect for a Mojito. Dark and spiced Rums have a bit more flavor and will be more pronounced in your cocktail. Balance these styles with highly flavored juices and syrups like in Spiced Rum Punch.
Tiki cocktails are an iconic category of cocktails that primarily feature Rum mixed with fruit juices, flavored syrups, and are beautifully garnished. These cocktails made their debut right after prohibition ended in the early 1930s in California. The Mai Tai is one of the most well-known tiki cocktails featuring Orange Curaçao, lime, and orgeat (almond syrup).
And then there are some cocktail recipes that call for more than one style of Rum. The combination of different styles adds layers of flavors to the drink. A Hurricane for example incorporates both Gold and White Rum.
2. Single mixer drinks
You don’t need more than one mixer to make a Rum cocktail. Just like Gin and Tonic, Rum and Cola is a simple but balanced cocktail featuring only two ingredients. You can use White, Spiced, or Dark Rum (called a Cuba Libre). Experiment to find out your favorite duo.
Another classic way to enjoy Rum is with lime and sugar. This combination is actually called a Daiquiri, but not the frozen, slushy Strawberry flavored kind that might first come to mind. Combine the three ingredients, shake it up, and enjoy.
3. Neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water
Whiskey (or Whisky) isn’t the only spirit good for sipping neat. A good Dark or Aged Rum can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water. Aged Rums have a lot of flavor and sometimes you just want to enjoy everything they offer and nothing more.
Best Rum cocktails by style
To make it easy, we put together a list of the different types of Rum and our favorite cocktails to mix them up in.
White Rum
Dark Rum
Spiced Rum
Rhum Agricole
- Ti Punch
Demerara Rum
- Rum Old Fashioned
- Zombie
Cachaça
Check out our full library of Rum cocktails, learn more about how Rum is made and the different styles with our guide to Rum, or start shopping for your next bottle of Rum.