What to Mix Rum with: Top Mixers for Delicious Cocktails

Rum is a versatile spirit that effortlessly blends with various mixers, making it a staple for creating exceptional cocktails. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY mixologist or a newbie home bartender, the right mixers can transform rum into delicious and impressive drinks. This guide will introduce you to the best mixers for rum, helping you craft unforgettable cocktails at home. Let’s explore the tasty possibilities and elevate your rum-drinking experience, shall we?

1. Pineapple juice

What can you mix with rum? Well, a lot of things, but the most popular is probably pineapple juice. This famous couple has been around for a long time. It forms the backbone of many tiki drinks, like the Piña Colada, Jungle Bird, and Painkiller. If you can’t be bothered with being fancy, then the simple combination of rum and pineapple will do just fine!   

You might also like: 10 of the Best Tiki Cocktails

2. Cola

Rum and cola are best friends, and you can make this drink with white or dark rum. To make a classic Cuba Libre, add lime to the mix. Here’s a quick recipe: pour 30ml rum and 60 ml coke into an-ice filled glass. Add a squeeze of lime juice, then drop the wedge into the drink. Classic and delicious.     

3. Lemon/lime juice

Lemon or lime juice is a classic choice if you’re trying to figure out what to mix rum with. In fact, if you have some limes, sugar, and rum at home, you’re set to make a delicious cocktail like the refreshing Mojito and classic Lime Daiquiri.   

You might also like: 11 Sublime Lime Cocktails you Simply Must Try

4. Ginger ale

Ginger ale doesn’t have the same spicy bite as ginger beer, which makes it the perfect mixer if you want the taste of rum to shine through the drink.  So, if you’ve been wondering what to mix spiced rum with, ginger ale will make for one very tasty cocktail. 

5. Ginger beer

If you enjoy a stronger taste of ginger, swap out ginger ale with the beer variety. This classic combination is known as a Dark n Stormy. Use dark rum for this duo, as the name suggests. Seriously tasty! 

6. Orange juice

Sweet and slightly tart, orange juice and rum is a delicious combination and easy to make. For the best result, use a white rum like Wray and Nephew. Simply build it in an ice-filled glass with 60ml rum and 120ml orange juice. You can add fresh lime and a dash of grenadine for a fun twist.   

7. Tonic water

Believe it or not, gin isn’t tonic water’s only match. This classic mixer is slightly sweet, dry, and bitter, which means it’s a perfect choice if you’re craving a refreshing rum drink to cool you down. Just be sure to add a wedge of lime for added freshness and tang.   

8. Soda water

Have you ever had a Spiced and Soda? That’s the name for rum mixed with soda water. This highball drink is a good choice if you enjoy (like really enjoy) a rum-forward drink. Just like the tonic water, adding a squeeze of lime will elevate your rum and soda to a whole new level. Bubbly and delicious! 

9. Coconut water

Another classic combination has always been coconut and rum, so it makes sense that you can make a rum-based coconut water drink. We suggest using vanilla-flavoured rum for a little extra sweetness or choosing a gold rum like Appleton Estate for its fun, fruity flavors.   

10. Flavoured sparkling waters

Flavoured sparkling water is another good choice if you’re baffled about what to mix rum with. There are so many different flavoured seltzers, which means you’ve got a lot of room to experiment. Create your favourite bubbly rum drink with black cherry, lime, grapefruit, watermelon or mango water. Fizzy and refreshing!

11. Iced tea

While we’re on the flavour train, iced tea is another fantastic choice because it comes in so many flavours. Peach, lemon, mint, and mango are a few options you can try. The rule of thumb is that if you use a sweetened iced tea, you can use any rum. But, if you’re using an unsweetened tea, we suggest you stick on the lighter side so that the rum doesn’t overpower the tea.   

You might also like: Easy Tea Cocktails for Chilled Celebrations

12. Grapefruit juice

Rum and grapefruit juice is a refreshing summer sipper, but you can elevate this simple combination into something special—and the late, great Ernst Hemingway would agree! In fact, this combination was one of his favourites and was created by Papa Doble. Eventually, this drink evolved into the famous Hemingway Daiquiri with the addition of maraschino liqueur and lime juice.   

13. Cranberry juice

A vodka cranberry is the more obvious choice, but maybe that’s because you’ve never tasted a rum cranberry before. Use spiced rum for a festive holiday drink, or go the light rum route for something more delicate. And yes, you guessed it, add lime! 

14. Sweet vermouth

Okay, this one might seem odd, but we promise you it’s not. The bitter-fruity and floral taste of sweet vermouth complement the rich caramel taste of the rum. A popular version of this epic combination is the Palmetto cocktail. To make one, add gold rum to an ice-filled mixing glass. Add some sweet vermouth and orange bitters, then stir until ice cold. Strain into a chilled coupé and serve with an orange peel garnish. Doesn’t sound so odd anymore, does it? We told you so.   

15. Apple cider

Another autumn favourite has got to be hot apple cider and rum. Wrap your hands around our Autumn-Spiced Rum Cider cocktail and chase away those cold day blues. Simple and delicious! 

You might also like: 9 Irresistible Autumn Cocktails 

16. Amaretto

Amaretto is a sweet and nutty Italian liqueur and will tame the strong taste of rum. So, if you want a rum cocktail that’s not too ‘rummy’, this might be your answer. Popular cocktails made with rum and amaretto include the Mai Tai and The Lounge Lizard.   

17. Root beer

When considering what mixers go with rum, root beer is probably not on the top of your list. But it should be because there’s a lot going on in the flavour department. Root beer is sweet and minty with a salty-bitter undertone and a menthol flavour. But it also has strong vanilla notes, which is why this fizzy mixer will work well with vanilla-forward rum. We suggest reaching for a strong, spiced rum. And if you’re craving something sweet, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!   

18. Coffee

While coffee and whiskey are a more obvious match, coffee and rum are equally delicious! Serve some coffee rum drinks as a delicious after-dinner drink on a cold evening. Making this coffee drink is super simple. Add spiced rum, brown sugar, ground nutmeg, and cinnamon to a mug. Add freshly brewed coffee, stir, top with whipped cream and serve! A satisfying drink to end the night.   

19. Hot chocolate

If you’re looking for an indulgent winter warmer, you have arrived! The rich caramel and vanilla notes of rum combine perfectly with the sweet bitterness of chocolate. Top it with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and marshmallows for extra indulgence during the holiday season. Is your mouth watering yet? We bet it is!   

20. Apple juice

You can’t go wrong with fresh apple juice if you want a warming cocktail to sip during autumn. But the same is true if you’re looking for a refreshing summery drink. Apple juice and rum is a versatile combination that offers the best of both worlds. Mix it with spiced rum, add a cinnamon stick to stir, and you’ve got autumn right there. For a taste of summer, combine apple juice, spiced rum, fresh lemon juice, and mint. A delicious thirst quencher on a hot day!  

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Insider tips from our cocktail expert

We sat down with Tristram Fini from Campari Academy in the UK to chat about all things rum, and these are the insights we gained. Tris is an Australian mixologist from Perth who began his career at Campari Australia before joining Campari UK in 2022. Known for his expertise and passion for cocktails, this drinks maestro offers unique insights to elevate your mixology game, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking to make your first classy clinker.

“To take your rum cocktails to the next level, always use freshly squeezed citrus.”

Whether it’s lime for a classic Cuba Libre or lemon for a refreshing twist, using fresh citrus juice enhances the depth and brightness of your drink. It’s a simple but effective way to ensure each sip is bursting with flavour.

How to balance the flavour of rum in cocktails

Achieving balanced flavours in rum cocktails involves understanding the cocktail’s style and purpose. Whether crafting a robust Old Fashioned or a creamy Piña Colada variant like the Miami Vice, the key lies in selecting complementary elements. For stirred drinks, focus on choosing the right sweetener and bitters to enhance the rum’s profile. For tropical drinks, balance rum’s richness with brightness and acidity to create a harmonious blend, ensuring each flavour component supports the overall taste experience.

“Always consider the style and intention of your cocktail. Whether aiming for a classic, spirit-forward drink or a tropical, creamy clinker, balance is achieved by choosing ingredients that harmonise and enhance each other’s flavours.”

Three mistakes to avoid when making rum cocktails

When making rum cocktails, here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Not experimenting: A significant mistake is sticking to familiar drinks and not trying new variations. Experimenting with different ingredients and recipes can enhance your cocktail-making skills and enjoyment.
2. Lack of quality resources: Another mistake is not investing in good quality cocktail books. Historical books, like those by Jerry Thomas, provide a foundation but modern resources such as Gary Regan’s The Joy of Mixology and The Cocktail Codex by Death & Co. offer updated and practical guidance for contemporary ingredients and techniques.
3. Disregarding ingredient evolution: Modern ingredients have evolved significantly from those used in the 1880s. Understanding the differences in citrus styles, juices, and sweeteners can dramatically impact the quality of your cocktails.

“Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.”

Experimentation, informed by great resources like modern cocktail books, is key to making outstanding rum cocktails at home.

Food pairings for rum cocktails

Pairing rum cocktails with food can be approached in two main ways: by considering the origins of both the food and the drink or by focusing on the flavour profiles of the spirits.

“When pairing rum cocktails with food, think about the flavours and origins of both the drink and the dish.”

Regional pairings often make for natural matches, while focusing on specific flavor profiles can lead to exciting and complementary combinations.

• Regional pairing

One effective method is to pair foods and drinks from the same region, leveraging the natural harmony of local flavours. For example, Jamaican rum punch pairs excellently with jerk chicken. The fruity, sweet, and sour elements of the rum punch complement the spicy, citrus-driven, and herbaceous notes of the jerk chicken, especially with the intense heat of Scotch bonnet chilies. The tropical notes of the rum, such as pineapple, coconut, and papaya, blend seamlessly with the robust flavours of an island-style dish.

• Flavor profile pairing

Another approach involves pairing food with cocktails based on their flavour profiles, especially with spirits-forward drinks. An Appleton Estate 12-year-old Rum Old Fashioned, with its rich coffee, chocolate, molasses, and caramel notes, pairs beautifully with desserts like tiramisu or dark chocolate treats. This cocktail’s flavours, including orange, vanilla, toffee, and fudge, are enhanced when paired with complementary foods such as Terry’s chocolate oranges, reinforcing the spirit’s inherent notes.

Three homemade mixers for rum

Inspire your inner mixologist by creating homemade mixers that pair perfectly with rum.

1. Home-made sugar syrups

Sugar syrups are easy to make and add sweetness and flavor to your rum cocktails. Here are a few recipes to get you started:

• Vanilla bean sugar syrup

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Method

1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add the split vanilla bean to the saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
4. Remove the vanilla bean and transfer the syrup to a clean jar or bottle.

• Cinnamon sugar syrup

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks

Method

1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add cinnamon sticks and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
4. Remove cinnamon sticks and transfer the syrup to a clean jar or bottle.

2. Fresh fruit juices

Freshly squeezed fruit juices can elevate rum cocktails with vibrant, natural flavours. Here’s how to make some of the best:

• Lime juice

1. Roll limes on the countertop to soften them.
2. Cut and squeeze the juice using a citrus juicer.
3. Strain out the pulp if desired.

• Lemon juice

Follow the same steps as for lime juice, substituting lemons.

• Mixed berry juice

1. Combine strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and pulp.

3. Herbal infusions

Infusing water with herbs can add a unique twist to your rum cocktails.

Method

1. Add a handful of fresh herbs (e.g. mint leaves, basil, or rosemary) to a jug of water.
2. Let it steep in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Remove the herbs, and use the water in your mixed drinks.

Watch: What is rum and how is it made?