Originating from Barbados during the 1650s, dark rum has become one of the most popular alcoholic beverages for men & women of all cultures.
Once called “kill-devil” or “rumbullion” the spirit is a common ingredient amongst cocktail enthusiasts.
Weather its something a bit harsher than a martini, or less throat-burning than a stiff whiskey, here are the best dark rum cocktails, for any occasion.
The Best Dark Rum Cocktails
Table of Contents
Dark & Stormy
Born in Bermuda, this classic rum drink was a match between the British Royal Navy’s endeavour in brewing ginger beer (which was a last-ditch effort to stop sailors from drinking so much) and Gosling’s Black Seal Rum.
Possibly the most popular dark rum cocktail, think of it as a slightly elevated rum and cola.
It’s 2 ounces (60ml) of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and a splash of ginger beer. Simple as that!
Garnish this masterpiece with a slice of lime.
Ingredients
- 60ml dark rum
- 100ml chilled ginger beer
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice, then add the ginger beer.
- Pour the rum on top, then squeeze the lime wedge over the drink and drop it in.
- Stir.
Rum Old Fashioned
The classic Old Fashioned cocktail traditionally uses whiskey, but you can swap it out for a bold, aged dark rum for a delicious twist.
Use demerara simple syrup to make this drink darker and increasingly more handsome than with regular simple syrup.
Mix some quality aged rum with a few dashes of bitters, 10 ml of simple syrup and an orange twist.
Ingredients
- 60ml aged rum
- 10ml demerara simple syrup
- 2 dashes angostura, aromatic, or orange bitters
- Orange peel, for garnish
Method
- Add the first 3 ingredients to a mixing glass, then fill it 3/4 of the way with ice.
- Stir until the drink is well chilled, and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Navy Grog
The navy grog originated from a drink made of water and rum, which was introduced into the Royal Navy by British Vice Admiral Edward Vernon on August 21, 1740.
Today, it’s a classic tiki cocktail known for its complex and potent flavours.
It consists of a combination of light and dark rums, alongside citrus juices to add a touch of sweetness
Ingredients
- 30ml light rum
- 30ml Jamaican rum
- 30ml demerara rum
- 30ml honey syrup
- 20ml lime juice
- 20ml grapefruit juice
Method
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and fill it 3/4 full with ice.
- Shake well until chilled, then strain into a double rocks glass full of ice.
- Finish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint for garnish.
Rum Manhattan
History suggests that the Rum Manhattan originated at the Manhattan Club in New York City during the mid-1870s.
It’s a mix of dark rum and sweet vermouth, with a popular variation including whiskey.
Ingredients
- 60ml dark rum
- 30ml sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of aromatic bitters
- Cocktail cherry, for garnish
Method
- Combine the first 3 ingredients in a mixing glass and fill 3/4 full with ice.
- Stir until chilled, then strain into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry or orange peel.
Daiquiri
The Daiquiri is named after it’s originating town – Daiquiri, on the southeastern tip of Cuba.
While it’s traditionally made with light rum, to get an extra kick of flavour, we’ve gone with a dark rum.
Not wavering from its simple traditional recipe, it’s made of rum, sugar and lime.
Ingredients
50ml Doorly’s XO
15ml lime juice
10ml sugar syrup
Method
- Add all ingredients to a shaker filled 3/4 of the way with ice.
- Stir well and strain over a cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Painkiller
The painkiller is a refreshing drink dating back to the British Virgin Islands in the 1970s.
It was created by a bartender on the island, who wanted a fruity, refreshing cocktail using dark rum.
The secret to this beverage is in the rum. It uses Pusser’s Blue Label Rum, an award-winning aged dark rum that originates from stills in Guyana and is heavily influenced by wooden pot stills – the signature of the Royal Navy.
Ingredients
- 50ml Pusser’s Blue Label Rum
- 100ml pineapple juice
- 25ml cream of coconut
- 25ml orange juice
Method
- Shake the ingredients over ice and pour into a cocktail glass of your choosing.
- Garnish with shaved coconut and a sliver of pineapple.
Hurricane
Inspired by the Daiquiri, Pat O’Brien, a New Orleans bar owner during World War II created this cocktail when whiskey was hard to come by.
It’s a rare drink that became so popular it named the glass it uses, as it is shaped like a hurricane lamp.
Ingredients
- 60ml Dark Rum
- 30ml passion-fruit syrup
- 30ml lime juice
Method
- Combine all ingredients into a shaker full of ice and mix well.
- Strain into a hurricane glass full of ice.
- Garnish with a fresh slice of pineapple or an orange wheel paired with a cocktail cherry.
Corn N' Oil
Corn N’ Oil is another one of the Caribbean’s finest concoctions.
Getting its name from the golden hue it projects, it’s a delicious combination of Falernum, rum, and bitters.
The secret ingredient, Falernum is a thick, spiced sugar syrup with a hint of ginger and almond. It’s delicious and makes this cocktail a favourite among enthusiasts.
Like the Daiquiri, this drink is mainly dark rum, so it’s important to use a high-quality bottle.
Ingredients
- 60ml dark rum
- 30ml Falernum
- A dash of bitters (optional – to add spice)
Method
- Pour all ingredients into a rocks glass and gently stir.
- No garnish is needed for this, but if you can’t resist, a lime wheel is a nice touch.
The Zombie
The Zombie dark rum cocktail is most popular for its exotic notes.
It’s made from a combination of fruit juices, liqueurs and rum, first appearing in late 1934 in Hollywood.
Being a complicated and ridiculously strong beverage, we recommend taking it slow with this one!
Ingredients
- 30ml light rum
- 30ml dark rum
- 30ml pineapple juice
- 30ml lemon juice
- 30ml passionfruit syrup
- 15ml simple syrup
- 1 dash bitters
- Mint, for garnish
Method
- Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice and mix well.
- Strain into a large glass.
- Garnish with mint or a lime wheel.
The Cuba Libre
The Cuba Libre is the perfect celebration cocktail.
It’s essentially a rum and coke, with a splash of lime added. Originating back to Havana in the 1900s, this simple dark rum cocktail is one of the most popular drinks today, and for good reason.
It’s a subtle step up from the regular Rum and Coke, and won’t disappoint.
Ingredients
- 60ml dark rum
- Coca-Cola
- Lime wedge & wheel
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice and dark rum.
- Squeeze the juice from the lime wedge and drop in the peel.
- Top to the brim with Coca-Cola and give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.