11 Classic Rum Cocktails You Can Easily Make At Home

Right after Vodka, rum is one of the most used spirits in modern cocktails. If you learn how to make these 11 classic rum cocktails, you will amaze all your friends at the next house party.

1. Classic Mojito

Mojito is a classic bubbly rum cocktail that tastes minty, citrusy, and a little sweet. Mojitos are an ultra-refreshing option on summer days. I feel like I am on vacation every time I make one or order one at my favorite place.

Directions:

1. Place mint leaves and a lime wedge into a highball glass.
2. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice.
3. Add two more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture!
4. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with carbonated water.
5. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge or lime wheel.

2. Classic Pina Colada

The piña colada is a classic cocktail made with rum, cream of coconut or coconut milk, and pineapple juice, usually served either blended or shaken with ice. It may be garnished with either a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, or both. There are two versions of the drink, both originating in Puerto Rico. 

Directions:

1. Add the rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, and lime juices to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds.
2. Strain into a Hurricane glass over pebble ice.
3. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

3. Cuba Libre / Rum and Coke

We have already covered the Cuba Libre in a previous article. If you are curious about five alcoholic drinks every man needs to know, you can read about it here.

Directions:

1. Put the ice cubes into the glass.
2. Pour the rum first, give it a good stir with the ice, then top it with the Coke.
3. Cut the lime into two quarters.
4. Squeeze the juice into the glass, then put the pieces as well. 

4. Classic Daiquiri

The classic daiquiri is an extremely simple recipe that requires just three everyday ingredients. It is also one of the freshest drinks you can make and an essential rum cocktail everyone should know and taste.

Since it only consists of three ingredients, we recommend using quality ingredients – including premium rum, fresh lime juice, and quality or homemade simple syrup.

Directions:

1. Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. 
2. Give it a good shake.
3. Strain it to a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Serve and enjoy.

5. Queen’s Park Swizzle

At Midway Gentleman Magazine, we’ve covered several white rum-based drinks before, but never a dark rum-based one. Queen’s Park Swizzle is a minty bitter cocktail that has a rather unique character.

Directions:

1. Put the mint leaves in a highball glass, pour the lime juice and simple syrup over them, then muddle firmly.
2. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
3. Pour rum over crushed ice and swizzle well until glass is ice-cold and frosted.
4. Finally, fill the glass with more crushed ice and top it with aromatic bitters.

6. Painkiller

The Painkiller cocktail was invented in the 1970s in the British Virgin Islands at Soggy Dollar Bar. The drink was trademarked in the ’80s – so if it was mentioned on a menu, it should include the traditional Pusser’s Rum.

Of course, if you’re making it at home, you can use any type of aged or dark rum! The Painkiller is similar to the Pina Colada with a slight twist.

Directions:

1. Add the rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut to a shaker with ice and give it a firm shake to briefly combine.
2. Strain into a hurricane glass or snifter over crushed ice.
3. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a pineapple wedge.
4. Serve with a straw.

7. Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is one of the most famous Tiki drinks in the world. Composed of rum, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, and orgeat (a nuanced almond syrup). The drink bears sway over cocktail enthusiasts and Tiki lovers for decades.

The Mai Tai is such a famous drink that it is mentioned in many movies and books, such as “Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike,” written by Phil Knight.

Directions:

1. Add the white rum, curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat into a shaker with crushed ice and shake lightly (about 3 seconds).
2. Pour into a double rocks glass.
3. Float the dark rum over the top.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.

8. Strawberry Daiquiri

While we discussed the classic Daiquiri in a previous point, let’s shift our attention to its delightful Strawberry variation. This refreshing drink, resembling a smoothie, proves to be the ideal choice on scorching summer days.

Directions:

1. Blend all the ingredients with crushed ice in a blender until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass and serve garnished with a fresh or frozen strawberry! You can use any type of glass, from a margarita glass to a simple cocktail glass.

9. Easy Rum Eggnog

Who could imagine festive family gatherings without eggnog? There are many ways to make it, including different types of spirits. However, rum is one of the better options for liquor choice because it adds a sweetness that contrasts with the drink’s eggy flavor.

When making rum eggnog, you can go the traditional route with this recipe or mix up a quicker version that we’ll cover in a future article.

Directions:

1. Separate the egg into two bowls.
2. With a hand mixer, beat the yolk until stiff.
3. Beat the white with 1 teaspoon sugar until peaks form.
4. Slowly fold (mix) the white and yolk together using a spoon.
5. In a separate bowl, beat the cream with the almond and vanilla extracts and the remaining teaspoon of sugar until still. Add the rum and stir gently.
6. Slowly fold the cream into the egg mixture.
7. Serve immediately or let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours. Serve it in a punch or martini glass and garnish it with grated nutmeg and cinnamon.

10. Long Island Ice Tea 

The Long Island Iced Tea was popularized in the 1970s and remained a beloved drink. Contrary to its name, Long Island Iced Tea does not include tea, only strong spirits.

Quoted by liquor.com – “the Long Island Iced Tea succeeds where so many of today’s refined cocktails fall short: It’s a strong one – nearly four ounces of alcohol against less than half that amount in mixers.” It’s a strong drink to look out for when ordering or making it yourself.

Directions:

1. Add the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a Collins glass filled with ice.
2. Top with a splash of the cola and stir briefly.
3. Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel.
4. Serve with a straw.

11. Rum Punch

Directions:

1. Pour the juices, rum, sugar syrup, grenadine and Angostura bitters into a mixer and give it a good stir. Pop into the fridge to chill for 1 hr.
2. Serve over ice cubes, sprinkle over the nutmeg and garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry, speared with a cocktail stick.

Keep on reading: How I Learned to Host Amazing Parties, Every Time