It’s an exciting time in the world of rum: A number of countries outside of traditional rum-producing regions have begun to enter the mainstream, including Mexico and Japan; white rum is no longer neutral; and bartenders continue to uncover a trove of unsung rum classics. From refreshing staples like the Daiquiri and its ilk to the recipes that highlight the spirit’s strong and stirred side, there’s nothing rum can’t do. Calling on several styles of the spirit, from unaged to overproof, here are some of our favorite easy rum cocktails.
Unaged and Lightly Aged Rum
Creole-Rum Sazerac
Far from your average Sazerac.
Espresso Martini Granita
A rum-based, frozen take on the caffeinated cocktail.
Dry Daiquiri
A London-born modern classic introducing Campari and passion fruit to the Daiquiri.
Ti’ Punch Highball
Paul McGee stretches the classic Ti' Punch into a highball-like format with the addition of coconut water and tonic.
Greta Garbo
A Daiquiri riff that adds a few dashes of absinthe to the classic spec.
Aged Rum
Tropical Fluff
A low-proof mashup of the Jungle Bird and the Garibaldi.
Banana Between the Sheets
A spin on the Between the Sheets, Chip Tyndale’s straightforward update swaps the orange liqueur for banana and adds Angostura bitters and grated nutmeg.
Away Colors
Añejo rum, fernet and banana liqueur come together for a tropical after-dinner drink.
Añejo Highball
A lesson in restraint in its simple combination of rum, Curaçao, lime juice and ginger beer.
Overproof (Aged and Unaged) Rum
Coconut Water Highball
Giuseppe González's "desert island drink" is food, water and fire in one cup.
Nuclear Daiquiri
A cult cocktail adds green Chartreuse to the classic rum recipe.
Disgruntled Mai Tai
An upturned bottle of Underberg puts a final bitter touch on this Mai Tai riff.
Mai Sha Roa Na
A Mai Tai riff that leans on the flavors of banana and macadamia.
Angostura Colada
Most of the rum in this riff is replaced by spicy Angostura bitters.
White Witch
Ezra Star's take on the hard-hitting Trader Vic classic.
