Rum has been a beloved spirit for centuries, and for good reason - its sweet and complex flavor profile makes it a versatile base for a variety of cocktails. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or a novice bartender, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of crafting a delicious rum cocktail in the comfort of your own home. In this article, we'll explore four classic rum cocktails that are easy to make and sure to impress your guests. So, grab a bottle of your favorite rum, some fresh ingredients, and let's get mixing!
Rum Sour
Ingredients
40ml/1.5oz Dark Rum
25 ml/1 oz Lime (or juice from half a small/medium lime
1 egg white
10ml simple Syrup
2 dashes aromatic bitters.
40ml/1.5oz Dark Rum
25 ml/1 oz Lime (or juice from half a small/medium lime
1 egg white
10ml simple Syrup
2 dashes aromatic bitters.
Preparation
Rum sour is the rum version of the whisky sour. Therefore, a dark or golden rum is a preferred choice. Generally, the lime juice is what makes it a sour. Throw all your ingredients into a shaker except ice and shake vigorously for about 10 sec to achieve the frothy texture. If you do not have a shaker, use a whisker. Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, and the frothy texture has been achieved, throw in the ice, and shake again for about 15-20 sec. Strain into your choice of glass; rock glass or cocktail glass. Add a dash of bitters to sum it all up. The bitters are mainly for garnish here and since we didn’t have the aromatic bitters which are dark colored, we used orange bitters. The result are similar!
Rum sour is the rum version of the whisky sour. Therefore, a dark or golden rum is a preferred choice. Generally, the lime juice is what makes it a sour. Throw all your ingredients into a shaker except ice and shake vigorously for about 10 sec to achieve the frothy texture. If you do not have a shaker, use a whisker. Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, and the frothy texture has been achieved, throw in the ice, and shake again for about 15-20 sec. Strain into your choice of glass; rock glass or cocktail glass. Add a dash of bitters to sum it all up. The bitters are mainly for garnish here and since we didn’t have the aromatic bitters which are dark colored, we used orange bitters. The result are similar!
TIP; While shaking, do it carefully so that the ingredients don't spill from the shaker. This is so because initially you don't add ice-which makes the shaker contract creating a tight seal. Also, the taste/aroma of the egg is negligible.
Rum Negroni
Ingredients
1oz/20ml Dark Rum
1oz/20ml Campari
1oz/20ml Sweet Vermouth
Orange peel for garnish
1oz/20ml Dark Rum
1oz/20ml Campari
1oz/20ml Sweet Vermouth
Orange peel for garnish
This is the drink that brings Italy and the Caribbean to the same table, as rum has its origins in Barbados while vermouth and Campari have their origins in Italy. Indian pale ale comes to mind when one tastes this cocktail. It sort of hits the same areas on the tongue. Rum and vermouth bring strong flavors of wood, caramel, spice, and herbs. Campari brings bitterness owing to the bitter spices used in making it. Cut down the bitterness by using less Campari and by increasing the vermouth, and the reverse is true. Yes, the rum and vermouth flavors come through, but ultimately Campari is the lion in the room!
The original Negroni is made with gin which is also packed with spices and has outstanding juniper aromas. We shall make that on another day. This day is for rum!
Preparation
Pour all the alcohol into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir gently but quickly to chill, and strain into a short glass with 2-3 cubes of ice.
Pour all the alcohol into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir gently but quickly to chill, and strain into a short glass with 2-3 cubes of ice.
Notes: The measurements in ml and oz aren't necessarily equivalent. Different consumers have different preferences and that has been put into consideration.
Rum old fashioned
Ingredients
2oz/40 ml dark or gold rum
1-2 tsp water
1 tsp sugar
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: orange twist
2oz/40 ml dark or gold rum
1-2 tsp water
1 tsp sugar
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: orange twist
The rum old fashioned finds its roots in the old-fashioned which is prepared with whiskey. Unlike whiskey, rum is not very rigid and will integrate with other ingredients without screaming. It is probably because of the wide variety of rums with varying tastes. For a longer finish on the palate, use aged rum.
Preparation
This drink calls for patience, as you need to get much of the sugar to dissolve. Add water, bitters, sugar, and a cube of ice into a short (rock) glass. Mix thoroughly until much of the sugar is dissolved into the mix. Fill the glass with ice and add the rum then stir rapidly to chill. Add the bitters. Squeeze the oils from the orange zest to the drink to introduce citrus aromas and flavors to the drink, and drop the zest into the drink.
This drink calls for patience, as you need to get much of the sugar to dissolve. Add water, bitters, sugar, and a cube of ice into a short (rock) glass. Mix thoroughly until much of the sugar is dissolved into the mix. Fill the glass with ice and add the rum then stir rapidly to chill. Add the bitters. Squeeze the oils from the orange zest to the drink to introduce citrus aromas and flavors to the drink, and drop the zest into the drink.
Tip; Instead of sugar, you can use simple syrup. The result won't be identical, but satisfying though. Also, you can make it a little citrusy by adding a splash of lime. Lime is always magical!
Cable car
Ingredients
1½ oz/30 ml spiced rum
¾ oz/10 ml Orange Curaçao (we used triple sec)
1oz/25 ml part lemon juice
⅓ oz/10 ml part simple syrup
3 tablespoons granulated or brown sugar (crush it in a blender or mortar to make it finer)
1 dash cinnamon
Orange twist, to garnish
1½ oz/30 ml spiced rum
¾ oz/10 ml Orange Curaçao (we used triple sec)
1oz/25 ml part lemon juice
⅓ oz/10 ml part simple syrup
3 tablespoons granulated or brown sugar (crush it in a blender or mortar to make it finer)
1 dash cinnamon
Orange twist, to garnish
Preparation
This is Tony Abou-Ganim’s signature cocktail which has been widely accepted as a modern-day classic. It is a shaken drink, therefore if you do not have a shaker, use a blender. We used triple sec as we couldn’t source orange curacao.
This is Tony Abou-Ganim’s signature cocktail which has been widely accepted as a modern-day classic. It is a shaken drink, therefore if you do not have a shaker, use a blender. We used triple sec as we couldn’t source orange curacao.
Mix the ground sugar and cinnamon on a saucer plate. Moisten the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and rim dip the glass onto the mix, to get a brownish-whitish rim.
Add the rum, curacao, sugar syrup and lime juice into a shaker and shake thoroughly for 15-20 sec. Strain the contents into the rimmed cocktail glass and squeeze oils from the orange zest.
Due it its sweet and complex flavor, rum is usually an easy-to-go to choice for crafting delightful cocktails. For mixologist and beginners as well, the satisfaction of creating a delicious rum cocktail at home is unmatched. In this article, we've explored four classic rum cocktails that are both easy to make and sure to impress your guests. With a bottle of your favorite rum and some fresh ingredients, you're ready to embark on a mixology adventure.