The Rum and Coke cocktail is a favorite drink among cocktail fans. It’s a simple cocktail – just two ingredients: Coke and rum, usually combined with a lime wedge or lime juice.
But sometimes, choosing the right rum for this simple cocktail is crucial. So, to narrow down your choices, we listed the best rum for rum and coke cocktails.
Top 15 Best Rum For Rum and Coke
15. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum
Average Price: around $27/750ml
Alcohol Content: 63% ABV
Why We Like It: This is an affordable rum, given its high ABV and delicious classic taste. In fact, this is a staple of Jamaican culture, made in the country’s Nassau Valley, and is unaged.
If you like this style, this is a perfect choice for your rum-based cocktails.
But what’s the best non-alcoholic rum to try?
14. Jung & Wulff
Average Price: around $45/750ml
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Why We Like It: The nose of this rum is slightly oaky with hints of spice and fruit. The palate is a bit spicy with a long-lasting impression but it has caramel and vanilla hints.
This rum is underrated. It’s not well-known, but it doesn’t mean it’s a bad rum. We find this a perfectly balanced rum for its sweet and spicy characteristics.
13. Koloa Kaua’i Spice
Average Price: around $35/750ml
Alcohol Content: 44% ABV
Why We Like It: This spiced rum is a blend of raw cane sugar and spices distilled in a vintage copper pot still. It has a dry and crisp palate with hints of caramel and sarsaparilla.
This is a good substitute for Captain Morgan, or if you want to deviate from the Cruzan Aged Light Rum.
12. Rhum Barbancourt Réserve Spéciale 8 Year
Average Price: around $31/750ml
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Why We Like It: If you want a more refined drink, try Rhum Barbancourt 8YO as a base for your Rum and Cola cocktail. The taste of this French-style rum is more intense and flavorful.
“Only, in Haiti, I realized, is it possible to drink rum and haggle with a god.”
-Wade Davis, Canadian Anthropologist
This smooth and powerful rum is complex with enough flavor and peppery spice, making this bottle a perfect mix with Cola with a splash of lime.
11. Appleton Estate Signature Blend
Average Price: around $24/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This Appleton Estate’s signature blend is aged for around four years in ex-bourbon barrels, creating its vibrant gold and amber color.
This delicious rum contains sweet and juicy notes, such as dried apricots and molasses.
Since we first tried it, we’ve been a fan of this rum brand. It’s a perfect blend for any Caribbean cocktail.
10. Kraken Black Spiced Rum
Average Price: around $33/750ml
Alcohol Content: 47% ABV
Why We Like It: We like the Kraken’s deep cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla flavors, perfect for making rum-based winter drinks.
Kraken Black spiced rum is among the best spiced rums with intense aromas. It has intense flavors, so it’s perfect for enhancing any classic cocktail.
9. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
Average Price: around $26/1L
Alcohol Content: 35% ABV
Why We Like It: This spiced rum from the US Virgin Islands is among the best rums for rum-based drinks, like Dark N’ Stormy and Rum Punch.
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum has hints of vanilla and rich caramel flavors but is not too sweet. The taste combines various spices, including molasses, cinnamon, and fruit.
8. Rhum Clement XO Agricole
Average Price: around $63/750ml
Alcohol Content: 42% ABV
Why We Like It: This aged rum gives a classic Coke and Rum a little backbone. Rhum Clement XO uses a blend from Martinique – Rhum Clement Agricole [1], aged for six years.
We like its smoky and vanilla aromas. Besides, subtle notes of dried fruit, baking spices, brown sugar, and dates match the taste of Cola.
7. Saison Pale Rum
Average Price: around $25/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Saison is the best white rum for Rum and Coke for its fruity, rich banana flambé, vanilla notes, and honeyed finish. We like the balance between freshness and indulgence.
The taste of molasses and a hint of cinnamon on the palate of this rum makes its fruity and floral essence more pronounced.
6. Smith & Cross
Average Price: around $33/750ml
Alcohol Content: 57% ABV
Why We Like It: This Jamaican rum brand is perfect for those looking for a boozy bottle.
Aside from its high ABV, it’s also gluten-free. Although some drinkers find its botanical notes off-putting, it gives a unique taste to drinks.
We prefer this over the Pussers Gunpowder Proof Rum. Its palate is filled with exotic fruit and herb notes, with an earthy finish.
5. BACARDÍ Superior White Rum
Average Price: around $16/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: BACARDI Superior is a great choice for a rum cocktail, which goes well with Cola. This rum’s smooth, creamy, and rich flavors make it an ideal addition to any mixed drink.
Among the white rums, we like BACARDI Superior for its almond, lime, and vanilla hints. It’s a refreshing drink, dry and crisp, tastier than the Cruzan Aged Light Rum.
4. Flor de Caña 5 Year Añejo Clásico
Average Price: around $22/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: We like how Flor de Caña complements the flavor of Cola rather than overpowers it.
The combination of Coke and its vanilla flavor brings a satisfying drinking experience. We like this bottle more compared to the Brugal Anejo rum.
The brown sugar, coconut, and vanilla spices of Flor de Caña enhance the flavor of Rum and Coca-Cola [2] cocktails, regardless of the variation. It’s full-bodied and aged, with tropical fruit flavors.
3. Dos Maderas 5+3 Double Aged
Average Price: around $33/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: We enjoy aged rums that can stand up to the sweet caramel flavors of Coke, and that’s what Dos Maderas Double Aged Rum can provide.
This bottle is one of our favorites for its complex flavors, with hints of tobacco, smoke, and roasted nuts.
2. Gosling’s Gold Seal Rum
Average Price: around $21/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This rum has a delightfully complex taste, especially when mixed with Cola or bitters. But on its own, it’s best enjoyed great on rocks or in a shot.
A butterscotch taste with hints of vanilla and floral aromas dominates Gosling’s Gold Seal rum’s flavor notes. It’s not overly sweet and with a slightly spicy flavor, ideal for holiday celebrations.
1. BACARDÍ Gold
Average Price: around $20/1L
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: One of the best rums for Cuba Libre [3] and other rum-based cocktails is BACARDÍ Gold for its smooth and refreshing taste. You can sip this straight, actually.
The aromas of ginger root, dry vanilla, and almond provide a sweet and slightly dry finish. Also, the taste of caramel, toasted coconut, oak, banana, and citrus highlights the palate.
**Average prices are based on Drizly online. Price may vary by store.
FAQs
What kind of rum to use for Rum and Coke?
Spiced rums are the best kind of rum to use for Rum and Coke. It’s a popular base for rum-based cocktails. But you can also try aged rums.
Is “Rum and Coke” better with light or dark rum?
The Rum and Coke cocktail is better with dark rum. We suggest using the best dark rum from Gosling’s, Bacardi, or the Brugal Anejo rum.
Should I Use Dark or Light Rum for Rum and Coke?
Both dark and light rums work well in a Rum and Coke, but dark rum tends to have a richer flavor profile with hints of caramel and spice, adding depth to the cocktail.
What Are Some Popular Rum Brands for Making Rum and Coke?
Some popular rum brands for Rum and Coke include Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Mount Gay, Myers’s, and Kraken. Experimenting with different brands can help you find your favorite combination.
Does the Quality of the Cola Affect the Taste of Rum and Coke?
Yes, the quality of the cola can influence the overall taste of the cocktail. Using a high-quality cola with natural flavors can enhance the drink’s flavor and make it more enjoyable.
Should I Add Lime to My Rum and Coke?
Adding a squeeze of lime to your Rum and Coke can provide a refreshing citrus twist and balance out the sweetness of the cola and rum. It’s a popular addition for those who enjoy a slightly tangy flavor.
Can I Customize My Rum and Coke with Flavored Rum?
Yes, you can customize your Rum and Coke by using flavored rum varieties such as spiced rum, coconut rum, or pineapple rum. These additions can add unique flavors to your cocktail.
How Much Rum Should I Use in a Rum and Coke?
The standard ratio for a Rum and Coke is one part rum to two parts cola, although you can adjust the proportions to suit your taste preferences and desired level of alcohol content.
In A Nutshell
Picking the best rum [4] is important when making a great cocktail. Choose a bottle that complements your preferred bitters and citrus flavors or one you can sip on its own.
Our favorite is BACARDI Gold, among the best rums for Rum and Coke, but all rums on this list are worth trying. Choose your style, and you’re ready to make a delicious cocktail.
References:
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-30/what-is-rhum-agricole-guide-to-best-martinique-rum-bottles#
- https://daily.jstor.org/what-rum-and-cokes-have-to-do-with-war/
- http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/10/c_137456882.htm
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/rum-liquor
