Certain things were born to be together, fish & chips, Bonnie & Clyde, and of course, rum & coke. However, if you are tired of using the same old mixer for your favourite rum, discovering different things to mix with rum besides coke could be a rum-game changer.
I must confess that the rum & coke combo was the only way I drank rum for many years. Maybe it’s an age thing, but as the years have flown by and I’m hurtling towards old age, I’ve expanded my rum-appreciating ability beyond the fizzy black stuff.
What To Mix With Rum Besides Coke
No matter the type of rum; navy strength rum, dark rum, white rum, spiced rum, Jamaican rum, or simply….rum, here are 8 different things to mix with rum besides coke.
1. Indian Tonic Water
Indian Tonic water may be great with gin, but it’s with rum. The bitter quinine in tonic water tones down the sweetness and spice of rum, so you can experience more subtle flavours. Adding tonic water to aged dark rums brings out floral flavours while keeping the earthy wood notes.
2. Pineapple Juice
Pineapple is a tropical fruit, so pairing it with a spirit like rum is a match made in heaven. The sweetness of the tangy pineapple has a similar effect as citrus but is less harsh when mixed with rum. Pineapple and rum have a lovely earthiness while keeping the woody floral note, especially in dark and gold rums.
3. Ginger Beer
Rum and ginger beer is (in my opinion) a toned-down “Dark and Stormy” without the lime. Ginger beer has a delicious spiced quality that complements most spirits, but I think it’s incredible with rum. The ginger beer masks the alcohol, so feel free to go slightly heavier on the rum. For something lighter and more summery, use a white rum and mint.
4. Ginger Ale
Ginger ale is mellower and sweeter than traditional ginger beer, and it works incredibly well with spiced rum. This mix may be on the sweeter side, but the ginger ale melts into the rum and brings out more of the sweetness of the molasses. Top tip; Navy strength rum may overpower ginger ale (try ginger beer instead), but any other rum, such as white, flavoured, or spiced rums, is fair game.
5. Coconut Water
Coconut water may be the freshest-tasting tropical mixer on the planet and works well with rum. The coconut water will give almost any rum a slight Malibu taste, but nothing is wrong with that on a hot summer’s evening! Experiment with different rums, as the coconut water complements each one differently.
Also Read: 12 Best Things to Mix with Malibu (Quick Guide)
6. Mango Juice
There are various mango-infused rums on the market, but I think they don’t taste as good as spiced rum with pure mango juice. The sweet tropical taste of ripe mango is perfect for rum and will whisk you off to a hammock tied between two trees on a sunny Hawaiian island.
The mango juice tones down the rum taste, so it can be dangerous if you are heavy-handed with the rum. Add pineapple, mango, crushed mint, and rum for a delectable fruit punch cocktail.
7. Iced Tea
Iced tea is a superb thirst quencher on a hot summer day. Add a shot or two of rum, and it turns into a refreshing all-day sipper. Ice teas come in various flavours, so pair them with a rum that won’t overpower it. Peach ice tea (my fave!) goes well with dark rum, berry ice tea is excellent with white rum, and lemon ice tea is fantastic with spiced rum. Mix and match to your flavour preference.
8. Coffee
I never knew coffee & rum were a thing until I started researching this article. The unbelievable smoothness you get from dark rum and coffee is top-tier. However, you prefer your coffee, cold brewed, percolated, iced, or instant; they all work well with rum.
Adding sugar, milk/creamer is up to you; I usually opt for black. Rum and coffee are less complex than traditional Irish coffee, making it more of an everyday pick-me-up.
Rum-based Cocktail Recipes
Here are eight delicious rum-based cocktail recipes that you may like to try out with your family and friends.
| Mixture | Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Daiquiri | White rum, lime juice, simple syrup | Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. |
| Mojito | White rum, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, soda water | Muddle the mint leaves with the sugar and lime juice in the bottom of a glass. Add the rum and soda water. Stir to combine. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wedge. |
| Piña Colada | White rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut | Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry. |
| Painkiller | Dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut cream, nutmeg | Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled hurricane glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge, an orange slice, and a dusting of nutmeg. |
| Rum Old Fashioned | Dark rum, bitters, simple syrup, orange twist | Muddle an orange twist in the bottom of a rocks glass. Add the rum, bitters, and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Add ice and stir to chill. Garnish with an orange twist. |
| Rum Sour | White rum, lemon juice, simple syrup | Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. |
| Rum Buck | Dark rum, ginger beer, lime juice, simple syrup | Combine all ingredients in a highball glass with ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge. |
| Rum Punch | Dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine, lime juice, simple syrup | Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher with ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with pineapple wedges, orange slices, and lime wedges. |
Conclusion
There are many other options to mix rum with besides plain old Coke. Try rum and a variety of fruit juices for a summery drink, mix rum and ginger beer or ale for a toned-down cocktail, or a shot with your morning cup of Joe.
From tonic water, unusual fruit juices, and even coffee, I’m sure you’ll find something to delight your tastebuds.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
