11 Must-Try Dark Rum Cocktails

Mai Tai cocktails have been around since the 1930s, but you may not have had an original Mai Tai. Many people associate this drink with a fruity, sweeter relative, the Royal Mai Tai. Traditional Mai Tai cocktails are much richer in flavor. It features some high-shelf items, like almond sugar syrup or Orgeat.

If you love the spice of rum, you might be interested in trying the Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail. It originates from the early 1800s, and the traditional recipe calls for specific dark rum. You can recreate it at home easily with any dark rum handy, and you’ll mix it with ginger beer. Genuine ginger beer adds even more spice, cooled with simple ice and lime additions.

Another easy cocktail to mix up, the Rum Negroni is a dark rum cocktail substitute for what’s usually a gin-based drink. You may feel the effects of this one quickly. It’s a very bitter option, and there are variations with club soda to cut down on the intensity.

The Bahama Mama cocktail is a sweet summertime drink with incredible tropic flavors. You’ll mix dark rum and coconut rum for extra strength and a sweet taste. Orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine make this smooth to go down. You can easily create large quantities of this cocktail for parties.

The Painkiller is a classic dark rum cocktail that you have to try. It’s made with dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut, and topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg. The drink is similar to a pina colada, but it’s not blended with ice and has a lighter, fruitier flavor thanks to the different fruit juices added. Serve this cocktail in a hurricane glass over crushed ice, and don’t skip the nutmeg – it adds a great spice to the drink!

Next of the best dark rum cocktails is the Mojito. Another traditional drink, this refreshing cocktail is a hallmark of summer with ice and mint. It’s one of the easiest cocktails to put together. All you need is dark rum, sugar, mint leaves, lime, and club soda. The flavors combine with the rum to create a simple but pleasing drink for any time.

Next is a Rum Sour, a classic rum version of the basic sour cocktail recipe. It’s super easy to make, with only three ingredients you’re likely to have in your kitchen, even if you’re not into cocktails. Sour lemon juice helps to mellow out the bite of the alcohol, and a bit of sugar keeps the whole taste rounded.

The Bee’s Kiss cocktail is a smooth, creamy rum cocktail that cools down some of the heat of an aged rum. Rich flavors will mix with cream and honey to offer a slightly floral drink. It can take some extra time to craft because it’s best to create a honey simple syrup for this drink to mix.

Mojitos are very basic drinks, so some people may enjoy adding an extra splash of flavor to their cocktail. The Blackberry Mojito lets tart berries mix with the refreshing mint. You can expect a slightly sweeter drink than traditional Mojitos.

Whisky fans will be familiar with Manhattans, but you can make a fun version of this drink at home with dark rum. The spiced flavors play well with the citrus notes of the bitters. You’ll need a few specialty cocktail ingredients, but you can quickly put this drink together and garnish it with sweet cherries or orange peel.