Best ever rum cocktail recipes
Liven up your party with our best ever rum cocktail recipes, from a spicy dark & stormy to a fruity piña colada. Pick your favourite from our top 10.
Rum is a beautifully versatile spirit that suits a whole range of tastes. Turn it into a tropical punch for party season, a three-ingredient classic or a smooth, sophisticated daiquiri. Dark or white, spicy or sweet, find your favourite recipe and become a marvellous mixologist with our top tips.
Want to get mixing but don't know which rum to go for? Buy the very best after checking out our rum taste test and find even more recipes for cocktails and mocktails at our drinks hub.
1. Zombie
Zombies aren't just for Halloween! We're kicking off with a fruity cocktail that uses both dark and light rum, pineapple juice, lime and a splash of grenadine. Our easy zombie cocktail tastes deceptively light and fruity but packs a boozy punch. Shake with ice until you feel the metal turn cold, pour into a tall hurricane glass and garnish to your heart's content.
2. Dark & stormy
Enjoy the definitive blend of dark rum and ginger in our dark & stormy cocktail. This simple highball has a touch of citrus to lift the 'dark' (rum) and 'stormy' (ginger ale) and is beautifully refreshing. Once you've mastered the basic cocktail, try our three favourite flavour twists – mint, tequila or orange.
3. Piña colada
Rich coconut cream, delicate white rum and tangy pineapple. Have we got your mouth watering? Learn to make a piña colada and get a taste of the tropics in a glass. Finish the drink with a retro umbrella to up the kitsch appeal at your next party, or mix a crystal colada, a lighter version made using coconut water and a cheeky twist of black pepper.
For a fun, alcohol-free option, try our spiced piña colada cocktail.
4. Mojito
When summer rolls around, everyone loves a cool, minty mojito. Become a master muddler and learn how to make the perfect mojito with tips and tricks from bartenders. Try funky flavour variations, too, with our six mojitos you can make in minutes. We also have a booze-free mojito mocktail that's just as refreshing.
5. Mai tai
Our easy mai tai recipe uses dark and light rum, so you get the best of both worlds in terms of flavour. It's tart, sweet and so brightly red with grenadine that we can spot it from the other end of the bar. This tropical tiki style drink is a robust, vintage classic.
6. Cuba libre
This three-ingredient long cocktail is a guaranteed crowd-pleaaser. Make a delicious cuba libre with white rum, cola and a squeeze of lime. It's one of the most popular cocktails in bars around the world for a reason. No need to worry about mixing techniques – this drink is impossible to ruin.
7. Spice 75
Come Christmas, the Spice 75 is the perfect sophisticated cocktail to serve your guests. An aromatic twist on the French 75, it uses rum, champagne and a dash of spiced sugar syrup for a deliciously festive flavour. Garnish with a strip of orange peel for a final flourish.
8. Pineapple caipirinha
Though traditionally made with limes, a caipirinha can also be made with pineapple or passion fruit for that characteristic sweet and sharp flavour. Muddle your sugar, lime and mint leaves, then add the crushed ice, pineapple juice and cachaça liqueur, or light white rum. This zesty drink is perfect for warm summer evenings, relaxing with friends.
Try our frozen caipirinha for a cool spin on the classic Brazilian cocktail.
9. Daiquiri
A classy daiquiri will go down a storm at any party and is easier to make than you might think. This wonderfully citrussy cocktail is fresh, zingy and beautiful in its simplicity. Use a white rum to pair with the bright, tropical flavours. If you're a sucker for a slushy, try our frozen strawberry daiquiri.
Want to make this drink part of your regular repertoire? Check out how to make the best daiquiri with expert advice and fruity recipe variations.
10. Long island iced tea
The classic long island iced tea has a well-earned reputation for being a seriously boozy drinks option, but it's great for sharing, especially in summer when you may be entertaining outdoors. Mix equal parts rum, vodka, gin, tequila and triple sec in a jug and let guests help themselves.
Get even more inspiration for stunning summer cocktails and winter cocktails.
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What's your favourite rum cocktail? Leave a comment below...