4 EASY RUM COCKTAILS TO TRY AT HOME
On World Rum Day, we celebrate the versatility and rich history of one of the world’s most beloved spirits. Rum, with its origins in the Caribbean, has evolved from a pirate’s staple to a sophisticated cocktail base. Rum blends nicely with fruit juices, sodas, and various mixers, allowing you to craft traditional cocktails like Mojitos, Piña Coladas, and Daiquiris or innovate with your own unique blends. Moreover, rum’s smoothness and sweet/spicy profile can effectively balance strong or bitter ingredients, rendering it a perfect base spirit for many drinks. Today, we raise our glasses to the bartenders, both professional and amateur, who continue to innovate with this dynamic spirit, creating new memories and traditions with every shake and stir.
Follow the classic pirates’ cocktail guideline: “One part sour, two parts sweet, three parts strong, four parts weak.” Sour typically refers to citrus juices like lemon or lime. Fruit juices or grenadine are sweet ingredients. The strong element is rum, while weak usually means water or seltzer. Creating rum cocktails at home is enjoyable, simple, and convenient. The reason? Rum’s versatility. With its broad spectrum of flavours ranging from light and fruity to dark and spicy, rum adapts well to numerous cocktail recipes, making it an ideal spirit for home mixology.
TheGlitz suggests keeping things simple and starting with two bottles of premium rum: one dark variety and one white. Regardless of your experience level, whether you’re a novice or a connoisseur, the choices below should give you some inspiration for enjoyable drinking during rainy days.
Easy Rum Cocktails
RUM SWIZZLE
The Rum Swizzle, Bermuda’s iconic cocktail, combines rum, fruit juices, and a touch of sweetener for a perfect weekend drink with friends. It traditionally mixes light and dark rums for balance, with light rum offering a crisp base and dark rum adding complexity. The “swizzle” refers to the pronged stick used to blend ingredients by twirling it between the palms. Give it a try for a taste of timeless tropical refreshment.
Ingredients:
30ml dark rum
30ml white rum
30ml fresh pineapple juice
15ml fresh lime juice
20ml falernum or simple syrup
2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
Crushed ice
Garnish: mint sprig
Preparation:
Fill a tall highball or Collins glass about 2/3 full with crushed ice. Add all liquid ingredients to the glass: 60 ml dark rum, 30 ml orange juice, 30 ml pineapple juice, 22 ml falernum (or simple syrup), 15 ml lime juice, and 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters. Using a swizzle stick or a long barspoon, stir vigorously for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until the outside of the glass frosts. Garnish with a mint or orange slice, and serve.
DARK ‘N STORMY
Next on our list is Dark ‘n’ Stormy. This mildly sweet cocktail boasts a generous dose of ginger spiciness. The three-ingredient drink proves particularly refreshing on a gloomy, rainy day, pairing excellently with hot samosas as an accompaniment to strike the perfect balance. The crucial component is spiced ginger beer, which should not be confused with ginger ale. Ginger beer possesses a significantly more potent flavour profile compared to its milder counterpart, ginger ale. You’ll definitely enjoy this.
Ingredients:
60ml dark rum
90ml ginger beer
15ml fresh lime juice
Ice cubes
Garnish: lime slices
Preparation:
Fill a shaker three fourths full with ice. Add the rum and lime juice; shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with ginger beer. Stir to mix well and garnish with lime.
CLASSIC WHITE RUM DAIQUIRI
The Classic Daiquiri is a crisp, refreshing cocktail that balances the clean taste of white rum with tart lime juice and a touch of sweetness. Simple yet sophisticated, it’s perfect for wet evenings or as an aperitif.
Ingredients:
60ml white rum
30ml fresh lime juice
15ml simple syrup
Ice cubes
Garnish: lime slice
Preparation:
Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add white rum, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lime slice and serve.
COCONUT RUM PUNCH
The Coconut Rum Punch is a tropical delight, combining the creamy sweetness of coconut rum with fruity pineapple and orange juices. This easy-to-make cocktail evokes a beachy, vacation vibe, ideal for relaxed sipping or rainy gatherings in the comfort of your home.
Ingredients:
45ml coconut rum
60ml pineapple juice
30ml orange juice
15ml cream of coconut
Ice cubes
Cherry for garnish
Preparation:
Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut to the shaker. Shake well for about 10-15 seconds. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and strain the mixture into the glass. Garnish with cherry and say cheers.
Also Read: 6 Whisky Cocktails To Whip Up On World Whisky Day
4 COCKTAILS TO SAVOUR ON YOUR OUTING
TAXI GHOST
Taxi Ghost is an exclusive cocktail, crafted with Bacardi Oro Rum, Bacardi Black Rum, decadent white chocolate, zesty lime, and refreshing fresh pineapple juice. It’s a tantalizing blend of flavours that will transport your taste buds to paradise. Whether you’re a rum aficionado or simply love exotic cocktails, the Taxi Ghost promises a vibrant and refreshing experience. Raise a glass to Rum Day in style!
WHERE: FOO, Ground Floor, Forum Rex Walk, Brigade Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru
BOMBAAT
This International Rum Day, Bombaat is a must-try cocktail. This exquisite drink features a delightful blend of white rum, fresh orange juice, and the unique tang of kokum, perfectly balanced with a hint of star anise for a subtle spice. Its citrusy and tangy flavours create an addictive experience. One sip, and you’ll be hooked, craving more of this refreshing and invigorating cocktail.
WHERE: ONE 8 COMMUNE, 6,7 & 8th Floor, Rathnams’ Complex, Kasturba Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru
AIRMAIL
This phenomenal concoction features Havana Club 3 Y.O., enriched with the tropical sweetness of mango falernum, the rich notes of French vanilla, and a zesty touch of lime. The silky smoothness of egg white and the effervescence of Martini Prosecco bring a fine level of sophistication to the drink. Perfectly balanced and irresistibly delicious, the Airmail is a refreshing escape that will leave you craving more.
WHERE: KOKO, Prestige Icon, 4121/S HAL, 2nd Stage Kodihalli, Jeevan Bima Nagar, Bengaluru
MAI TAI
This vibrant drink is meticulously crafted using white rum, dark rum, and fresh orange juice, resulting in a perfectly balanced flavour profile. Known for its refreshing tanginess and rich, tropical flavours, the Mai Tai promises a delightful experience whether you’re a rum enthusiast or enjoy exotic cocktails.
Where: The Library Bar, The Leela Bhartiya City, 6/2, Thanisandra Main Road, Devin Paradise Enclave, Tirumanahalli, Bengaluru 560064
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Cover image: Lulian M. via Unsplash
“Please drink responsibly. Excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to your health. This article is intended for readers of legal drinking age. “