7 Cocktail Recipes to Try for National Rum Day

Get to know the nuances of this Caribbean-crafted liquor—and raise a rum-based beverage —in honor of National Rum Day on August 16.

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Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey might be the locally preferred brown liquors, but rum is on the rise—and what better time to explore the spirit than on its own national holiday? (Albeit one generated by marketers.)

Rum is made from molasses, which is a by-product of sugar refining and involves a production process that’s a bit more complex than the production of whiskey. Plus, well-made rums offer a wide range of nuances on the palate—think stone fruits, baking spices, caramel, vanilla, and more—and flavors that you won’t likely pick up in a frozen daiquiri. There’s white, dark, and spiced versions, as well as Rhum Agricole, which was originally distilled in the French Caribbean islands and is made from fresh cane juice. Now, with more and more aged and crafted rums on market shelves, you can easily taste through a range of styles—look for Diplomático, Kraken Black Spiced Rum, and Rhum J.M to better build up your rum/rhum knowledge.

For at-home learning, try out one of these refreshing cocktails, which put rum (and not fruity mixers) at the forefront. 

Joker Got Away

Light and tropical, this cocktail shows off the vanilla and apricot undertones of the Bacardí Reserva Ocho. —Courtesy of Roger Miller, lead bartender at Sinema Restaurant & Bar

Ingredients: 

  • 1 ½ oz. Bacardí Reserva Ocho
  • 2 oz. Chardonnay
  • 1 oz. pineapple juice
  • 1⁄2 oz. falernum (try John D Taylor’s velvet falernum, or Fees Brothers falernum)
  • 1⁄2 ounce of Angostura Amaro

Directions: Shake together rum, Chardonnay, pineapple juice, and falernum and strain over fresh ice. Top with Angostura Amaro and garnish with pineapple fronds and/or fresh mint.

Rum 94

This refreshing cocktail relies on the blended notes of Plantation 3 Stars White Rum, which is sourced from Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad. —Courtesy of Brooke Sutter, beverage director at E3 Chophouse

Ingredients: 

  • 2 oz. Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
  • 1⁄2 oz. house made mint cucumber simple syrup
  • 1⁄4 oz. aloe juice
  • 1⁄4 oz. raspberry liqueur
  • 1⁄2 oz. lemon juice

Directions: Shake all ingredients and serve up in a coupe glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

The Bolo

The Bolo is the epitome of a summer rum cocktail. It incorporates both dark and light rums along with citrus flavors. The pineapple juice creates a more tropical element. —Courtesy of The Listening Room

Ingredients: 

  • 1 oz. Bacardí Light rum
  • 1 oz. Myers Dark rum
  • 1⁄2 oz. Triple Sec
  • 1⁄2 oz. pineapple juice
  • 1⁄2 oz. lime cordial
  • 1⁄4 oz. grenadine

Directions: Build and shake. Serve in a pint glass over ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

Brunch Punch

A riff on a White Russian using rum and bourbon, this one shows off the depth and cinnamon undertones of a solid black spiced rum. —Courtesy of Stateside Kitchen

Ingredients: 

  • 1 oz. Old Forrester
  • 1 oz. Kraken Black Spiced Rum
  • 1 ½ oz. whole milk
  • 3⁄4 oz. vanilla bourbon syrup
  • 2 dashes Tiki Bitters

Directions: Shake together the Old Forrester, Kraken, milk, and bourbon syrup. Strain over ice in a rocks glass. Top with the bitters.

Rhum J.M XO

This artisanal sipping rhum is crafted in Martinique, where they’ve been producing rhums (made from fresh cane juice) since the 1800s. This one is aged in re-charred bourbon barrels and offers a big, bold aroma with hints of toasted nuts, caramel, citrus, and bit of cinnamon and pepper on the finish. Drink this neat or on the rocks. —Courtesy of Spiribam

Ingredients: 

  • 2 oz. Rhum JM XO
  • Ice (optional)

Directions: Pour rhum into a rocks glass. Add ice if preferred.

Rum Forest Rum

Perfect for the end of summer, this cocktail will give you a little bit of the beach with some subtle notes of autumn. —Courtesy of STK 

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5 oz. Oakheart Rum 
  • .5 oz. Montenegro 
  • 3/4 oz. lime juice 
  • 3/4 oz. simple syrup 
  • 1 egg white 
  • Angostura bitters 

Directions: Build all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice and dry shake. Add ice to tin and shake to cool cocktail. Double strain into a martini glass. Top with dash of Angostura bitters. 

Island Elixir

The Island Elixir is a fun, approachable and easy-going rum drink that's perfect the season.—Courtesy of  Joe Zabowski, bartender at Mother's Ruin

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5 oz. white rum 
  • 1 oz. pineapple juice 
  • 1/2 oz. Aperol 
  • 1/2 oz. Orgeat 
  • 3/4 oz. lime juice 

Directions: Build in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour over ice.