The Most Popular Rum Cocktails

Since bars opened back up again a couple of years ago, rum-based cocktails have been one of the favourite cocktail groups amongst drinkers. From herby refreshers to exotic blends, these tropical elixirs are unique in their ability to transport us to a tropical paradise, but they’re also very easy to get wrong. So, these are the most popular rum cocktails in the world, and how you can make them at home!

Mojito

Rum, mint, and lime – the ultimate refresher is the world’s favourite rum concoction, and very nearly the world’s favourite cocktail if it wasn’t for that pesky Margarita. It may not be quite as trendy as during its 2000s surge, but the Mojito’s popularity is undeniable, loved for it’s natural, breezy, and fresh feel.

Ingredients
50ml white rum
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp sugar/ 15ml sugar syrup
a handful of mint leaves
soda water
Garnish: mint

 Method
Crush a handful of mint leaves with the lime juice and sugar (syrup is easier, but if you use sugar make sure it’s dissolved). Add ice and your favourite white rum. Top up with soda water, gently stir to combine, garnish with mint, and enjoy. Mojit-oh yes!

Top Tip: Always crush the mint leaves as opposed to dicing to unlock all those flavoursome oils.

Piña Colada

Another simple recipe that involves three bold flavours working together – the tropical paradise that is the Piña Colada. Definitely more of a summer serve, this may be the second most popular rum cocktail (battling with the one below). Sweet and creamy, it’s fragrant and fresh with coconut cream and pineapple intertwining with the hearty kick from the rum. Use fresh juice!

Ingredients
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
120ml crushed pineapple/pineapple juice
Garnish: pineapple wedge

Method
The most popular is to blend everything with ice to create a thick boozy smoothie – you may need to crush the ice if your blender has seen better days! Tropical decorations are a must.

Is this your favourite rum cocktail? Check out our innovative twists on the recipe here!

Daiquiri

The Daiquiri may be slightly better known for super sweet slush puppies these days, but when done right it’s absolutely delicious and that’s why it’s competing with the Piña Colada to be the second most popular rum cocktail. Pure and simple, it’s just fresh lime juice and a little syrup supporting but not overshadowing quality rum. Easy on the sugar until you find the ratio you enjoy most!

Ingredients
60ml rum (Light or White, like Havana Club 3-year-old rum)
20ml lime juice
20ml sugar syrup
Garnish: lime twist

Method
Shake everything with ice – do not blend please. Then strain into a chilled cocktail glass, add the lime twist and enjoy!

Top Tip: A blend of two different rums is often used by bartenders, so half white and half Demerara or Jamaican for example.

Is the Daiquiri your favourite rum cocktail? We’ve been experimenting with various twists on the original here!

Zombie

The Zombie has been around since 1934, and the name supposedly comes from the hungover customer who requested the drink and reportedly turned into a zombie for the rest of his trip! There are a few different ways to make it, but really you want three different types of rum, Caribbean falernum liqueur and fresh lime, pineapple, and grapefruit juices. It takes more time than the other rum cocktails, but there’s a reason it’s ordered so much and that’s for the layers of boozy, tropical flavour.

Ingredients
30ml dark rum
30ml light rum
20ml overproof rum
10ml falernum liqueur
30ml lime juice
10ml pink grapefruit juice
20ml apricot brandy
30ml pineapple juice
10ml grenadine
Pinch of salt (optional)
Garnish: orange slice/maraschino cherry/sprig of mint/pineapple wedge

Method
Shake everything except the overproof rum with ice, strain over fresh and ice and float the overproof rum on top!

Mai Tai

Tiki mainstay the Mai Tai is popular wherever you go, and although the history of the drink involves homemade rum and homemade orgeat, things are going to be a little easier today. The warmth of the rum anchors this tropical delight as boozy citrus and nuttiness play off deliciously. Mai Tai derives from the Tahitian word maita’I which means ‘good’ but trust us when we say that’s an understatement.

 Ingredients
60ml blended rum (like Appleton)
20ml lime juice
20ml orgeat syrup
15ml orange liqueur
Garnish: mint sprig

Method
Take everything aside from the mint and shake with crushed ice until you feel and see that the shaker is frosted. Strain over fresh crushed ice and delicately poise the mint spring – voila, one Mai Tai!

Cuba Libre

Whether it’s true or not we don’t know, but the story goes that a U.S army captain was toasting to Cuba’s freedom during the Spanish-American war using this drink. Interestingly, Coca-Cola hasn’t always been available on the island and it’s a key part of this cocktail. This is as easy as cocktails get, so if you mess this up then maybe reconsider mixology as a hobby! Lime juice tames the sweet cola a little which works wonders with the caramelly, vanilla goodness of the rum.

 Ingredients
60ml rum
120ml cola
2 lime wedges

Method
Fill a highball with ice, add the rum and then top up with cola. Squeeze one lime wedge and throw it in, and garnish with the other! A nice little upgrade on a classic rum and coke.

These are the most popular rum cocktails, but perhaps your favourite isn’t in here? Not to worry, because here are 7 Delicious Rum Cocktails, some of which aren’t as popular but who knows, they might be on this list one day.

7 Delicious Rum Cocktails

For some reason, some drinkers pigeonhole rum cocktails as a vacation-only choice, but rum is much more than poolside Pina Coladas…as good as they are.

The tropical rum cocktails are some of the world’s favourites, and deservedly so, but it’s a versatile spirit so here is the best of everything rum from legendary recipes to delicious twists.

Rum Sour

More known for whisky, the Sour style cocktail works really well with rum. You could use a golden rum to pair the tropical brûléed feel with sunny citrus, but we prefer the warming of a spiced rum. The silky egg white adds some decadence and texture, there’s a wonderful tang and sweetness from the lime, orange and syrup, and the toasty spiced rum adds a punchy hit of rich flavour. It’s a lot going on but it really works.

Ingredients
50ml Rum (Bacardi Spiced works well)
25ml Orange Juice
25ml Lime Juice
12.5ml Syrup (Monin works well)
15ml Egg white

Method
Mix all ingredients together without ice and shake, add ice and shake once more. Fine strain into a cocktail glass.

Rum Old Fashioned

The rum Old Fashioned is such an underrated twist. The oaky spice of the dark rum, the zesty structure of the bitters, the bright citrus…this will definitely win the traditionalists over.

Ingredients
50ml Dark Rum (Mount Gay XO works well)
1 tsp sugar syrup
Few dashes of orange bitters
Orange Peel to garnish

Method
Add ice 3/4 of the way up a mixing glass or cocktail shaker and add all ingredients. Stir for 30 seconds until nicely chilled. Fine strain into a cocktail glass.

PIñA COLADA

This is probably the definitive tropical cocktail, right? Sweet and creamy, it’s the ultimate smoothie (okay it’s not officially a smoothie but if you label it as that you can have another one). Unfortunately, no one knows exactly who invented it but whoever you are, we thank you!

Ingredients:
60ml white rum ((Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
60ml coconut cream
120ml crushed pineapple/pineapple juice
Garnish: pineapple Wedge

Method:
Blenders at the ready. Combine white rum with the same amount of coconut cream. Add 120ml of pineapple juice or crushed pineapple, a handful of ice, and blend. Garnish with pineapple and an umbrella for the complete holiday vibe.

CINNAMON TWIST

Another creamy rum concoction here with the Cinnamon Twist. Swapping out the fruit for cinnamon creates a wonderfully indulgent milky, spiced rum punch, a recipe that has been around in different forms since medieval times! Spices in the rum will pair perfectly with the cinnamon which brings us to the syrup. You can do this individually (simple syrup plus cinnamon powder) but by adding cinnamon sticks to water and sugar, the syrup is easy to make and gorgeous in all kinds of other cocktails.

Ingredients:
60ml Golden Rum (Mount Gay Black Barrel works well)
44ml Milk
22ml Cinnamon Syrup

Method:
Shake with ice, then strain over a singular hefty ice cube in a chilled rock glass!

DAIQUIRI

We often hear that people dismiss a Daiquri as a childish option, with sickly sweet slush puppy vibes. Maybe that’s you? Well, we’re here to say give it another chance. When fresh lime juice is used, the right amount of syrup and it isn’t blended, it can be simple and so refreshing. Rum and lime are a match made in heaven and the syrup counteracts the tang perfectly - just get the ratios right!

Ingredients:
60ml Light or White Rum (Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
20ml lime juice
20ml simple syrup
Garnish: lime

Top Tip: Fruity-flavoured syrups add a lovely twist to the original recipe - try banana and strawberry instead of simple syrup!

Method:
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Do not blend! Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add the garnish.

MOJITO

One of the world’s favourite cocktails, is the Cuban-born Mojito the single most refreshing cocktail on the planet? Rum, mint and lime - it’s aromatic, zesty, reinvigorating and punchy. Ernest Hemingway loved it, and so do we.

Ingredients:
50ml White Rum (Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
20ml lime juice
15ml simple syrup
Soda water
Garnish: mint

Method:
We want to get all that flavour from the mint so it’s vital to crush it with the lime juice and sugar. Add ice and a white rum that you love. Top up with soda water, give it a gentle stir to combine and sip the evening away! Top

HURRICANE

One of the many cocktails born out of Prohibition, this New Orleans icon is perfect for when you’re wanting a potent flavour bomb. It has a few more ingredients than most cocktails, but it’s worth it in the end trust us. The trio of fruit juices are key here, so try and make sure you freshly squeezed for as many as possible. It’s zippy, tropical, and sweet and with the double punch of light and dark rum, there are layers of notes to explore until the very last sip. You won’t feel neutral about it that’s for sure!

Ingredients:
40ml light rum (Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
40ml dark rum (Mount Gay XO works well)
15ml lime juice
15ml passion fruit juice
15ml orange juice
15ml simple syrup
10ml Grenadine
Garnish: orange wheel

Method:
All the hard work is done fetching the ingredients here, so just add them to a shaker with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a hurricane glass with more ice and voila! An orange garnish works a treat for good measure.

Chances are if you’ve made it to the end of these tasty rum cocktails, you love your rum. So, if you’re drinking it regularly you may as well go the whole hog and make yourself a little home bar! After all, you’ve probably got most of the ingredients already.

One Drink, Three Ways: Mount Gay Black Barrel

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, the three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

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Mount Gay is the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery, with the oldest surviving deed dating from 1703! Ironically, it was a man called John Sober who originally started the small distillery at the top of Mount Gilboa, Barbados. After a while, Sir John Gay Alleyne, a fourth generation Barbadian was introduced, and the distillery grew from there, hence the company being named after him.

Their Black Barrel blend is distilled in traditional copper pot and column stills, matured for up to 7 years in American whiskey casks, and further aged for 6 months in heavily charred Bourbon casks. Unsurprisingly, that toasted oak comes through, as does gingerbread and the rich vanilla and pineapple you might expect from a golden Bajan rum. 

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Helena’s Choice: Cinnamon Twist

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My Cinnamon Twist is a kind of milky, spiced rum punch, variations of which have been around since the 1600s. The cinnamon syrup sits perfectly beside the deep vanilla and gingery notes and the milky rum behind it is so deliciously creamy, but still allows the toasty elements of the rum to shine. Shake with ice, then strain over a singular hefty ice cube in a chilled rock glass!

Cinnamon Twist

Recipe

60ml/2oz Mount Gay Black Barrel

44ml/1.5oz Whole Milk

22ml/0.75oz Cinnamon Syrup*

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Aidy’s Choice: Good Old Pine

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I’ve gone for pure Caribbean sunshine with Good Old Pine. The pineapple in the Black Barrel is mirrored by the tropical pineapple syrup, and the Angostura bitters keep that sweetness in check while also pairing well with the gentler spices in the rum. This is island refreshment at its best. To make it, add all the ingredients to a glass and stir over a big ice cube. Garnish with lemon peel and/or a pineapple frond if you’re feeling fancy.

Good Old Pine

Recipe

60ml/2oz Mount Gay Black Barrel

7.5ml/0.25 Pineapple Syrup*

2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

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Colin’s Choice: Bajan Cafe

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The detectable vanilla and gingerbread in the Black Barrel pairs nicely with the coffee and almond flavours for a gently warming experience in this Bajan Café. Combined with the toasted notes, it gives a bakery profile to the cocktail that I absolutely love. Add everything, add ice and shake. Strain over ice and garnish with mint. Voilà – the Bajan Café.

Bajan Cafe

Recipe

60ml/2oz Mount Gay Black Barrel

30ml/1oz Orgeat

30ml/1oz Coffee

* To make your own pineapple syrup, you can just blend simple syrup with pineapple chunks. Keep the skin on for an earthier flavour, and just make sure to strain well before using. Try grilling it for another level of flavour!

For cinnamon syrup, take one part water (try 1 cup) to one part cane sugar and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Add 4 cinnamon sticks and allow to infuse for at least 1.5 hours - or overnight if you want more of a kick!

UK
ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £36

For more of our cocktail suggestions (they’re pretty good if we do say so ourselves), try our Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whisky Cream Liqueur concoctions here! The rest of our cocktails are here, where you’ll find wine, whisky, gin and much more.

The Best Rums To Gift For Christmas

Rum has been one of the winners of lockdown, with sales skyrocketing as people experiment more with cocktails at home and build their own home bars. We’ve also been hugely impressed with the new rums we’ve seen this year. Here’s our selection of the best that would make great gifts for your loved ones - or yourself. My goodness, we deserve a tot this Winter!

Hattiers Rum  

Hattiers source fine rums from around the world and blend and bottle them in Devon. Perfect for sipping alone or mixing, they currently have three to choose from: a navy strength, which is like a fresh danish pastry with banana cream filling; the premium reserve rum, which is perfumed and silky smooth and a premium, blended aged white rum, which is reminiscent of vanilla fudge with pineapple notes. Highly recommended. 

ABV: 40% - 54.5%
Size: 70cl
Find here: £37.50 - £56

Equiano Rum 

This is the world’s first African and Caribbean rum blend, named after Olaudah Equiano, a freedom fighter who played an important part in the abolition movement. In this rum, two great distilleries combine: Foursquare in Barbados and Gray's Distillery in Mauritius. The Foursquare is aged in American white oak, while the Gray's is aged in both Cognac casks and French limousin oak before the both are put together and left to mellow in ex-Bourbon casks. The result is rich and creamy with notes of chocolate, toast, orange peel and a kick of ginger, with some red fruit on the finish. Great for sipping or in cocktails! 

ABV: 43%
Size: 70cl
Find here: Master of Malt or Equino.com

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

This stunning sipping rum from Venezuela is molasses-based and produced with a blend of exclusive rum reserves aged for up to twelve years. With wine-like viscosity, this rum is super smooth with a beautiful nose of orange peel, toffee and licorice with elements of carmel and fudge on the finish. Elegant and delicious. 

ABV: 40%
Size: 70cl
Find here: UK £38.75 // US $39.99

Merser & Co Double-Barrel Rum

One of Helena’s absolute favourites, this is an elegant, understated style of golden rum, created by blending aged rums from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guatemala and Panama before giving them a secondary cask maturation and being bottled in London. A great one for sipping over ice, with its subtle vanilla pod, caramel and tropical fruit notes. 

ABV: 43.1%
Size: 70cl
Find here: £34.95

Don Papa Rye Aged Rum

This delicious new edition from the Don Papa: the rum Gods based in the Philippines, has been aged for four years in American rye casks. The result is a fragrant, peppery and spicy rum that’s silky smooth and quite different from what they’ve done before. We love it and are very happy sipping it alone. Launching this week at Harvey Nichols!

ABV: 45%
Find here: £65

‘The 45’ Scottish Spiced Rum

Handcrafted in Glasgow in very small batches, 45 Scottish Spiced Rum is a golden rum infused with interesting local botanicals such as smoked seaweed and liquorice as well a ginger and orange zest. At 45% it is flavourful and very distinctive. A perfect addition to some festive cocktails.

ABV: 45%
Size: 70cl
Find here: £37.50

Black Tot 50th Anniversary Rum

This Rum celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Black Tot Day, which is the day in 1970 when rum rationing to those in the Navy ceased. A special limited edition, this rum hails from the Caribbean with a blend of rums from Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad, and is rich with layers of flavour including Vanilla pods, dark chocolate, nuts and baked bananas. Touches of mint, liquorice and lime juice keep everything in balance. Sumptuous and decadent, this is a great rum for Christmas.

ABV: 54.5%
Size: 70cl
Find here: £110

Fire Dept. Coffee: Rum-infused

Rum lover and a coffee lover? US brand Fire Dept. Coffee is a veteran-owned business that's run by firefighters who sell high-quality coffee, with 10% of net proceeds donated to help first responders that have become sick or injured while on the job. They have a fantastic range of booze-infused coffees too including this rum one! It’s a delicious, sweet and very smooth coffee where the rum flavour comes through in just the right amount. Also try their bourbon, tequila and other whiskey-infused coffees for a festive pick me up!

ABV: 0%
Size: 12oz
Find it at Firedeptcoffee.com $19.99

Love whisky too? Then make sure to check out our 2020 whisky gift guide! Oh, and let’s not forget our vodka, tequila and gin gift guides too!

One Drink, Three Ways: Don Papa Rum

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, the three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

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Don Papa Rum: A premium, small batch, single-island, aged rum from Negros in the Philippines, known locally as Sugarlandia. This, their flagship rum, is aged for seven years to produced a light and fruity, amber coloured rum at 40% abv that is perfect for sipping alone or as the key ingredient in epic cocktails.

The Three Drinkers each share their favourite ways to taste it….

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Helena’s Choice: Manila Made

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A summery twist on the ‘made cocktail’, created by Sam Ross at Attaboy in New York, this is a smooth and mellow cocktail with gentle spice that wakes up on the finish thanks to the tabasco and freshness from the cucumber and mint. A delightful combination of flavours, it’s the kind of taste that can transport you back to far away shores.

Method: Combine the ingredients minus the cucumber and mint into a shaker and gently muddle, before adding ice and shaking vigorously for around 10 seconds. Strain and pour into a tumbler, then garnish with a sprig of mint and a cucumber ribbon. Tip: You can make honey syrup by using 1:1 simple syrup and any honey.

The ‘Manila Made’

Recipe

50ml Don Papa Rum

25ml Fresh Lemon Juice

20ml Honey Syrup

4 Cucumber Slices

Handful of Mint

2 Dashes Tabasco Sauce

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Aidy’s Choice: Papa Pearfection

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Don Papa rum has a special place in my heart since I visited the distillery a couple of years ago. One sniff of this cocktail and I’m right back in the Philippines sipping a cool drink as the sun goes down. With its relaxed vibe and sweet spice, it’s so simple to make and offers something totally unique at a party.

Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a high ball glass and garnish with a couple of pear slices. Wonderful! Tip: make elderflower syrup by using 1:1 elderflower cordial with simple syrup.

Papa Pearfection

Recipe

45ml Don Papa Rum

25ml Lemon Juice

20ml Elderflower Syrup

45ml Fresh Pear Juice

Fresh pear slices to garnish

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Colin’s Choice: Don Detox

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I like this cocktail because it sounds like it’s good for you and I guess compared to some others, it is! Well, there is fresh apple and fresh lemon in it, so that’s vitamin C and other goodness. What’s a tot of rum between friends?

Method: Very simple and incredibly refreshing, pour the Don Papa rum straight into a highball glass with ice, add the apple juice, lemon juice and stir. Garnish with two fresh apples slices.

The Don Detox

Recipe

30ml Don Papa Rum

15ml Lemon Juice

Juice of 2 Green Apples

Green Apple Slices to Garnish

Like this? Check our our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces: Noilly Prat Vermouth, Tanqueray Gin and The Macallan 12.