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15 Best Mixed Drinks With Dark Rum Tasted & Ranked (2024)

Mixed Drinks with Dark Rum 

Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by Lydia Martin

Dark rum is an aged rum that adds rich, bold tastes to any classic cocktail. Most people enjoy rum as it delivers spiced flavors with a boozy kick. 

If you’re into dark rum and looking for new ways to savor it, here’s a list of mixed drinks with dark rum that will satisfy your palate. 

Top 15 Cocktail Recipes With Dark Rum 

15. Zombie Cocktail 

Zombie Cocktail Drink with Liquor on The Background

This is one of the best dark rum cocktails featuring four types of rum, three different fruit juices, and two fruit syrups.

Although it’s got a 1970s vibe, this mixed drink actually came from the 1930s.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes 

Ingredients: 

  • 1oz white rum
  • 1oz spiced rum
  • 1oz dark (aged) rum
  • 1oz fresh lime juice
  • 1oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1oz pineapple, juiced
  • 1oz passion fruit juice
  • 3-dash orange bitters or Angostura bitters
  • .5oz grenadine
  • .5oz 151 rum (optional)

Instructions: Except for 151 rum and grenadine, pour all the ingredients into your shaker, add ice, and shake. Strain into your highball glass and pour grenadine and 151 rum on top. 

Serving: 1

14. Rum Sour Cocktail

Glass of Rum Sour Cocktail and Bottle of Angostura

This recipe calls for three perfect ingredients for rush hours. Adding lemon juice and sugar mellows the taste of the alcohol, keeping the flavor balanced.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 2oz dark (aged) rum
  • .75oz juice of a lemon 
  • .75oz simple syrup
  • sliced lemon/Maraschino cherries/mint sprig (optional)

Instructions: Combine simple syrup, juice, and dark rum in your shaker with ice. Shake for 30-45 seconds, pour into your rocks glass, and garnish if desired. 

Serving: 1

13. Pina Colada

Piña Colada is one the best rum cocktails—sweet and balanced. Experience the crisp and tart flavors, complementing the coconut notes. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 2oz dark rum
  • 1.5oz cream of coconut
  • 1.5oz pineapple juice
  • .5oz freshly squeezed lime juice 

Instructions: Pour dark rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut into your bar shaker.

Shake for around 20 seconds and strain into your chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with pineapple leaf and wedge, if desired. 

Serving: 1

12. Jungle Bird

Glass of Jungle Bird Cocktail Drink

Jungle Bird is also one of the tasty dark rum cocktails perfect for those who love fruit but want something a bit more complex.

The combination of Campari [1] and rum creates a unique and refreshing drink. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 1oz dark rum
  • 1.5oz pineapple juice
  • 1oz Campari
  • .5oz lime juice
  • .5oz simple syrup/maple syrup

Instructions: In your shaker, combine dark rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, Campari, and simple syrup with ice. Shake until well-chilled and strain into your cocktail glass. Garnish it with fresh mint if desired. 

Serving: 1

11. El Presidente

El Presidente Cocktail Drink Garnished with Orange Peel

With so many variations of El Presidente, it’s still one of the delicious dark rum cocktails that everyone should try. 

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5oz dark or gold rum
  • .75oz dry vermouth
  • .25oz orange curacao
  • 2-dash grenadine

Instructions: In your mixing glass, combine all the ingredients and stir. Strain into your cocktail glass and enjoy. 

Serving: 1

10. Painkiller Cocktail 

Hand Holding a Glass of Painkiller Cocktail Drink

This Painkiller dark rum cocktail is a must-try for anyone who loves Pina Coladas. It’s a great variation on the classic drink, at a much more flavorful version.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes 

Ingredients: 

  • 2.5oz aged rum (Pusser’s Rum)
  • 4oz pineapple juice
  • 1oz cream of coconut (not coconut cream)
  • 1oz orange juice

Instructions: In your ice-filled shaker, pour rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut, then shake well. Pour the Painkiller cocktail into your hurricane glass and garnish with grated nutmeg and Maraschino cherry.   

Serving: 1

9. Rum & Coke

Glass of Rum and Coke

One of the most popular rum drinks worldwide is Rum and Coke. This rum cocktail gives a deeper caramel flavor. Top it with lemon juice for a refreshing twist.

You may also want to check out some more dark liquors here

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 2oz white (or light rum), dark rum (or black rum), or aged (or golden) rum 
  • 4oz cola
  • 1 lime wheel

Instructions: In your glass with ice, pour rum and stir. Top the glass with cola and squeeze the lime wheel. 

Serving: 1

8. The Brass Monkey

The Brass Monkey Cocktail Drink

This Brass Monkey drink is an easy dark rum cocktail perfect for those nostalgic drinks from the 1970s.

This mixture of rum and OJ was a popular drink and favorite recipe back then, with beautiful golden color.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 1oz dark rum
  • 1oz vodka
  • 2oz orange juice

Instructions: In your shaker with ice, add vodka, rum, and orange juice, then shake until well-chilled. Strain the mix in your lowball glass with ice and garnish with an orange wedge. 

Serving: 1

7. New Orleans Hurricane

2 Glasses of New Orleans Hurricane Cocktail Drink

This Hurricane cocktail is full of fun and fruit—made with two types of rum. As one of the classic dark rum cocktails, it has a tropical flare and sweetness.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 2oz dark rum
  • 2oz light rum
  • 1oz orange juice
  • 1oz lime juice
  • 1.5oz passion fruit syrup
  • 1tbsp grenadine

Instructions: Shake all the ingredients in your bar shaker with ice. Strain the mix into your glass and garnish with a cherry or orange wedge if you like. 

Serving:

6. Caribbean Rum Punch

This perfectly balanced, refreshing cocktail—is enhanced by adding your favorite dark rum, giving the vibes of a tropical paradise. This is a must-try dark rum cocktail.  

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 1oz white rum
  • 1oz dark rum
  • 2oz pineapple juice
  • 1oz orange juice
  • .5oz lime juice
  • .5oz grenadine syrup
  • Orange slice/cocktail cherry

Instructions: Except for grenadine, combine white/dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and lime in your tall glass with crushed ice. Top it with grenadine and garnish with a cherry and orange slice.  

Serving: 1

5. Dark & Stormy

Hand Holding Glass of Dark & Stormy Cocktail Drink

Dark and Stormy is probably one of the most famous and easy-to-make darl rum cocktails. It combines the richness of an earthy dark rum with the flavors of vanilla and brown sugar.  

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 4oz spicy ginger beer
  • 2oz Gosling’s Black Seal rum
  • 1oz fresh lime juice

Instructions: In your highball glass, pour the ginger beer over ice and top it with rum. Squeeze lime wedge and stir gently. 

Serving: 1

4. Hot Buttered Rum

Glass of Hot Buttered Rum

This dark rum drink is the opposite of the tropical drinks you’re used to. Hot Buttered Rum is perfect for sipping on a cold evening—infused with a spirit-forward and sweet dark rum.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

For the spiced butter: 

  • 6tbsp salted butter
  • 3tbsp brown sugar
  • 1tsp ground cinnamon (or cinnamon stick)
  • ¼-tsp nutmeg
  • ¼-tsp allspice

For each drink: 

  • 1.5tbsp spiced butter
  • 2oz rum
  • 6oz boiling water

Instructions: For the butter, flatten the salted butter using a rolling pin, add the sugar and spices, then mix all together until they’re well incorporated. 

Set aside. For the drinks, add 1.5oz butter in each glass, then pour rum [2] and boiling water, then stir to mix. 

Serving: 4

3. Mojito With Dark Rum

Glass of Mojito With Dark Rum

One of the best dark rum cocktails is the Mojito. But you can enhance this simple drink with dark rum, sugar, club soda, and lime—making a refreshing cocktail that can be enjoyed anytime.

“Drinking rum before 10 am makes you a pirate, not an alcoholic.”

— Granger Smith, American Singer-Songwriter

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 8 mint leaves
  • 2tsp raw sugar
  • 1/2 lime, quartered 
  • 2oz dark rum (or white rum)
  • club soda (can use seltzer water or ginger beer)

Instructions: In your serving glass, muddle sugar, mint leaves, and sugar. Combine rum and muddle a bit more. Fill your glass with ice and pour club soda on top. 

Serving: 1

2. Bahama Mama

Glass of Bahama Mama Cocktail Drink

Bahama Mama is a dark rum drink that’s refreshing and tropical—a beachy drink that features a combination of rum, pineapple juice, and lime. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • .5oz grenadine
  • 1oz dark rum
  • 1oz coconut rum
  • .5oz lime juice
  • 3oz pineapple, juiced

Instructions: In your serving glass, pour coconut rum, dark rum, and juices over ice. Gently stir the Bahama Mama mixture, pour grenadine at the center, and let it sink to the bottom.

Serving: 1

1. Classic Mai Tai

Classic Mai Tai Glass Drink

Mai Tai is one of the well-known classic dark rum cocktails. It is complex but sweet enough with a nuanced, extraordinary flavor.  

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5oz aged rum
  • .5oz orange liqueur 
  • .74oz lime juice
  • 1oz orgeat syrup
  • .5oz dark rum

Instructions: Add all the ingredients to your cocktail shaker with ice except for the dark rum. Shake well and strain the Mai Tai in your glass over ice. 

Pour dark on top and garnish with a lime wedge.

Serving: 1

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What mixes good with dark rum?

Dark rum is a versatile spirit that pairs well with a variety of mixers to create delicious cocktails. Some popular choices include fruit juices like pineapple or orange juice, as well as ginger beer or ginger ale for a spicy kick.

Additionally, you can experiment with coconut cream or coconut water for a tropical twist, or even coffee liqueur for a rich and indulgent flavor profile. Herbs and spices such as mint, cinnamon, or nutmeg can also complement the deep, complex notes of dark rum.

Ultimately, the best mixer depends on your personal taste preferences and the flavor profile you wish to achieve in your cocktail.

How do you drink dark rum?

Enjoying dark rum can be a delightful experience when served in various ways to suit different occasions and preferences. One popular method is to savor it neat, allowing its rich flavors and aromas to be fully appreciated without any dilution.

Alternatively, you can enjoy it on the rocks, poured over ice cubes to slightly chill and mellow the spirit.

For those who prefer a lighter touch, dark rum can be mixed with a splash of water or a few drops of bitters to open up its flavors while maintaining its integrity.

Additionally, dark rum serves as a key ingredient in numerous classic cocktails, such as the timeless Daiquiri, the sophisticated Dark ‘n’ Stormy, or the indulgent Rum Old Fashioned.

Experimenting with different serving styles and cocktail recipes can help you discover the most enjoyable way to drink dark rum according to your taste preferences.

Is dark rum and Coke good?

Dark rum and Coke, also known as a Cuba Libre, is a popular and classic cocktail enjoyed by many for its simplicity and delicious flavor combination.

The dark, caramel notes of the rum complement the sweetness and effervescence of the cola, creating a balanced and refreshing drink. The addition of a squeeze of lime juice adds a bright, citrusy element that enhances the overall drinking experience.

Whether enjoyed as a casual beverage at a social gathering or as a relaxing treat after a long day, the combination of dark rum and Coke is sure to satisfy those craving a timeless and satisfying cocktail option.

However, taste is subjective, so it’s ultimately up to individual preference whether this particular pairing is deemed “good.”

What is the best dark rum for cocktails?

Selecting the best dark rum for cocktails depends on personal taste preferences and the specific flavor profile desired in your drink. However, several dark rums are commonly recommended for their quality and versatility in cocktail crafting.

Brands such as Goslings Black Seal, Kraken Black Spiced Rum, and Plantation Original Dark are frequently praised for their rich flavors and smooth textures, making them excellent choices for a wide range of cocktails.

Ultimately, the best dark rum for cocktails is one that aligns with your preferences and enhances the flavors of your chosen cocktail recipe.

What is the best mixed drink with rum?

The “best” mixed drink with rum can vary depending on individual tastes and preferences, as well as the occasion.

However, some mixed drinks stand out as perennial favorites among rum enthusiasts. The classic Mojito, made with rum, mint, lime, sugar, and soda water, is renowned for its refreshing and vibrant flavor profile.

Similarly, the Piña Colada, a blend of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, is beloved for its tropical sweetness and creamy texture.

For those seeking a spicier option, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, featuring dark rum, ginger beer, and lime, offers a delightful balance of bold flavors.

Ultimately, the best mixed drink with rum is one that resonates with your taste preferences and complements the occasion or mood.

Is dark rum better for rum and Coke?

Whether dark rum is better for rum and Coke largely depends on personal preference and desired flavor profile.

Dark rum typically has a deeper, richer flavor profile with notes of caramel, molasses, and spices, which can complement the sweetness and effervescence of cola in a rum and Coke cocktail.

Some enthusiasts argue that the robust flavors of dark rum stand up well to the sweetness of the cola, creating a more complex and satisfying drink.

However, others may prefer the lighter and smoother profile of white or gold rum in their rum and Coke for a crisper and more refreshing taste.

Ultimately, whether dark rum is better for rum and Coke is subjective, and the choice between dark or light rum depends on individual taste preferences and desired drinking experience.

What can I mix with dark rum besides Coke?

Dark rum’s rich and complex flavors make it a versatile base for a wide array of cocktails beyond the classic rum and Coke.

For a tropical twist, try mixing dark rum with pineapple or orange juice to create refreshing and fruity concoctions like a Dark and Stormy or a Mai Tai. For a creamy and indulgent option, combine dark rum with coconut cream or coconut water for a deliciously tropical Pina Colada.

You can also experiment with coffee liqueur for a rich and aromatic Espresso Martini, or mix dark rum with ginger beer and lime juice for a spicy and refreshing Dark ‘n’ Stormy.

Additionally, herbs and spices such as mint, cinnamon, or nutmeg can be used to enhance the depth of flavor in your dark rum cocktails. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and explore different mixers to find the perfect complement to your dark rum.

Is dark rum a strong alcohol?

Dark rum, like all alcoholic beverages, contains varying levels of alcohol by volume (ABV), typically ranging from 40% to 50% ABV. While it is not the strongest alcohol available, dark rum still packs a punch compared to lower-proof spirits like beer or wine.

The strength of dark rum can vary depending on the specific brand and distillation process, but it generally falls within the moderate to strong alcohol category.

As with any alcoholic beverage, it’s essential to consume dark rum responsibly and be mindful of its potency when enjoying cocktails or mixed drinks.

On A Final Note For Mixed Drinks With Dark Rum

You have many drinks to try, from the classics to modernized dark rum cocktails with a twist. 

Since you have many options, we’ve listed the best to make your selection easier, whether you like mellow dark rum cocktails or bolder rum drinks. 

From the Zombie cocktail to the Painkiller, Dark and Stormy, to the Classic Mai Tai, all these rum cocktails will surely refresh your day with a bit of booze from your favorite rum and some garnishes. 

References:

  1. What is Campiri
  2. Rum Liquor
  3. MSU Campus Archaeology
  4. Who Really Invented the Mojito?
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