Top 5 Caribbean Rum Cocktails

Due to the post-colonial proliferation of sugarcane plantations, rum is one of the Caribbean’s most important exports – and one of its favourite cocktail ingredients!

Caribbean Rum Cocktails - Rum Lime Shrub

I’ve given suggestions for white or dark rum in some recipes below, but you can make these classic Caribbean rum cocktails with either; quantities given serves 2. Buy Crawley’s Simple Sugar Syrup from any bottle shop or make your own by combining equal volumes of water and sugar over a low heat until sugar dissolves.

Caribbean Rum Cocktails - Classic Cocktails - Mojito

Mojito
Created in Havana, Cuba, this classic Caribbean rum cocktail may be based on a drink Francis Drake used to cure shipboard scurvy. Use a muddler or wooden spoon to combine 10 mint leaves, 1 tablespoon castor sugar, 2 nips (60ml) lime juice and 3 nips (90ml) white rum, crushing the lime leaves well. Top with ice and add a splash of soda water if you like.

Caribbean Rum Cocktails - Dessert Cocktails - Pina Colada

Piña Colada
Piña colada (meaning simply ‘strained pineapple’ in Spanish) originated in Puerto Rico, where it’s now the national drink. White rum is typical, but I like dark too. Shake, or blend 3 nips (90ml) rum, 2 nips (60ml) coconut milk, 1 cup (250ml) pure pineapple juice, a good squeeze of lime juice and plenty of crushed ice. Serve in a large cocktail glass.

Caribbean Rum Cocktails - Paul carmichael making Daiquiri

Classic Daiquiri
The only fruit in a classic Cuban daiquiri is lime. Try the classic version of this Caribbean rum cocktail and you may never go back to the fruity adult-slushie ones again. Shake 3 nips (90ml) white rum, 3 nips (90ml) lime juice and 1½ nips (45ml) sugar syrup together with ice and serve strained or with the ice.

Caribbean Rum Cocktails - Paul Carmichael & Roberta Muir - Rum Punch

Rum Punch
A simple rhyme reminds us how to make a perfectly balanced rum punch: mix one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak. Combine 1 nip (30ml) lime juice, 2 nips (60ml) sugar syrup, 3 nips (90ml) dark rum, 4 nips (120ml) soda or sparkling mineral water. Pour into punch cups and enjoy!

Caribbean Rum Cocktails - Rum Lime Shrub

Rum Lime Shrub
Colonial sailors carried sweet/sour shrub syrups on voyages as a preserved source of Vitamin C; perhaps that’s how they became popular in the Caribbean. I love the range of shrubs from The Curious Cabinet, or you could make your own from the many online recipes. Fill 2 tall glasses with ice, add 4 nips (120ml) white rum and 1 nip (30ml) lime shrub syrup. Top with soda, stir and serve.

Updated 2 Jan 2024

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