The best rum mixers for incredible cocktails include Coca-Cola, ginger ale, orange juice, and more!
A rum and Coke is always a good idea. Coke is usually the first rum mixer that comes to mind. However, there are so many mixers out there that go beyond the classic soda.
Rum is a versatile delight and shines with the perfect mixer. Remember, not all rums are created equally. Some are sweet, others are dry, some are fruity, and others are woody. This means rum is much more flexible than you think.
We’ll embark on a journey to discover the best rum mixers to elevate your cocktail game. Get ready to stir, shake, and sip!
1. Coca-Cola
Of course, we have to start with the most obvious choice: Coca-Cola. It’s a classic! You can’t go wrong with a rum and Coke. It’s a sweet and satisfying combo.
It couldn’t be easier to make. All you need is a glass, ice, rum, and Coke. It’s a foolproof recipe. Feel free to play around with it, though. Different rums bring different tastes.
Maybe you like vanilla or a hint of caramel? Mix light and dark rum. Want to add a twist? Squeeze in some lime for a Cuba Libre.
It’s your drink, so make it how you like it.
2. Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice is the best choice if you like your drinks with a tropical twist.
Pineapple gives the rum a tangy balance, just like citrus. Plus, the earthy taste plays well with the woody notes of gold or dark rum.
You don’t need to run out to buy a special rum for this mixer. Any type will do. But if you’re up for a fun twist, add muddled mint or Maraschino liqueur.
3. Ginger Beer
Ginger beer is fizzy, rich, and packs a spicy punch. It’s fermented with yeast, making it bolder than ginger ale.
Mix it with rum, and you’ll make a dark and stormy. The name sounds like a bad omen, but it tastes awesome.
Pick any dark rum, add ice, ginger beer, and a splash of lime. It’s so simple! Top your drink with a slice of candied ginger for a more impressive cocktail.
4. Ginger Ale
A mix of ginger ale with rum and ice makes a party drink you won’t forget. (Unless you drink too much of it.)
Ginger ale’s mellow flavor lets the rum’s natural taste shine through. Use spiced rum, like Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum, or any aged rum. The coconut, caramel, and vanilla flavors blend well with ginger ale.
Light rum works too, but its subtle taste will get lost in the soda.
5. Club Soda
Club soda is a flexible mixer and works well with rum. For a light, tasty drink, mixing club soda with rum is spot-on. So if you want a refreshing highball, grab a glass, rum, some lemons, and club soda.
Go for spiced rum for a fun twist. Club soda highlights the rum’s nutty taste and mellows down its heat.
But if you don’t have spiced rum, that’s fine, too. Any rum you have will work. The taste will be slightly different, but it’s fun to experiment!
6. Coconut Water
If you’re a fan of coconut water, good news. This low-calorie drink is more than just a post-workout refreshment. It also tastes great with rum.
Rum and coconut water is a drink that’s both easy to make and perfect for hot summer days. The tropical taste of coconut water and the spicy notes of rum create a refreshing blend.
Take a shot of amber rum (Bacardi 8 is a solid choice) and mix it with chilled coconut water over ice. Add a slice of lime for garnish for a nice citrus finish.
7. Flavored Seltzers
Everyone loves flavored seltzers and for good reason. They provide limitless flavor options, whether naturally flavored or mixed with juice.
Mixing flavored seltzers with rum is a surefire way to whip up a quick and easy drink.
Dark rum pairs nicely with the cola flavor, while tropical options like mango work well with white rum. You can’t go wrong with lemon, lime, or grapefruit with any type of rum.
Or, make a refreshing seltzer mojito. Muddle lime, sugar, and mint in a glass. Add white rum and lime seltzer, and you have a delightful cocktail.
It’s an easy mojito recipe you’ll love, especially during those scorching summer months.
8. Orange Juice
Orange juice isn’t just for breakfast anymore. It’s also the perfect mixer to pair with rum for a sweet, refreshing cocktail.
When you mix orange juice and rum, you get a drink with a great balance of sweet and complex flavors.
Making this drink couldn’t be easier. Just mix the two ingredients, and voila, you have a tasty cocktail. For a fancier touch, you can add some lime and grenadine.
Aged rums are an excellent choice for orange juice. Their sweet, nutty flavors complement with orange well. Dark or light rum can also work if that’s what you have.
9. Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice and vodka are a classic pairing. But its tart taste makes it a perfect mixer for many other liquors, rum included.
It’s a cinch to make a cranberry juice and rum cocktail. Just pour white rum and cranberry juice over ice, add a squeeze of lime, and you’re good to go.
The tartness of the cranberry juice and the zest of the lime go perfectly with the sweet notes of the rum.
This cocktail is not just a summer delight. It’s a tasty treat any time of the year.
10. Iced Tea
Iced tea is a timeless classic. It’s great for sipping on the porch during a hot summer day. But it’s a refreshing drink any time of the year. It also makes a great mixer with rum.
Adding rum to iced tea is a flavor game-changer. The mix only calls for a few ingredients: tea, rum, and lemon juice. Combine them all, stir, and serve over ice. This combo gives your iced tea a nice kick without overpowering it.
A mix of tea and rum creates a great balance of flavors. It’s not too strong, but just right. This is the perfect refreshment for any occasion.
11. Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruit juice is not just for tequila or vodka drinks. Rum and grapefruit juice make a winning pair, too.
To make a refreshing cocktail, just mix grapefruit juice, light rum, and ice. For a bit of fizz, add a splash of seltzer. Top it off with a slice of lemon, lime, or grapefruit for a simple, tasty drink.
The tartness of grapefruit juice perfectly complements the sweet, smooth taste of rum.
12. Apple Juice
You can mix up apple juice based on the season or your mood. In the summer, combine apple juice with white rum for a refreshing, slightly sweet drink. In the colder months, try spiced rum for a hint of brown sugar and cinnamon.
Simply pour the rum and apple juice over ice. Give it a good stir and garnish it with an apple slice. And if you’re making the spiced rum version, a cinnamon stick can be a great stirrer. It adds extra flavor and a festive touch.
13. Hot Chocolate
There’s nothing like warming up with a cup of hot chocolate on cold winter days. And while this treat is already delightful, you can kick it up a notch by adding some rum. It might sound unusual, but it works like a charm.
For this cozy cocktail, simmer milk, cream, and rum in a saucepan. When it’s warm, add your favorite chocolate. Let it melt and mix it well, then pour it into your most cherished mug.
The caramel or vanilla notes of rum harmonize beautifully with the sweet and slightly bitter chocolate. Go for a dark rum to ensure this mix hits the spot.
Cozy up with this delicious rum and hot chocolate treat. It’s comfort in a cup.
14. Coffee
A good cup of coffee is hard to beat. But adding a little rum can make it even better. Rum and coffee are a match made in heaven! The rich depth of the coffee mingles perfectly with the sweet, complex flavors of the rum.
To make this killer combo, don’t just dump rum into your coffee. First, mix your coffee with your favorite creamer and some sugar. For a unique twist, add spices like cardamom or nutmeg. Then, pour in the rum and give it a good stir.
Top it off with some whipped cream if you want to get fancy. Your cup of coffee just turned into a delicious dessert.
15. Apple Cider
This beloved drink is both sweet and tart. It’s perfect for enjoying on a cool day. But if you’re up for a new twist, try adding a splash of rum. It makes for a delightful combo and hits the spot.
For this fantastic pairing, start by warming up your apple cider on the stove. While heating, infuse it with aromatics like orange slices, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. The spices add flavor and fill your kitchen with a heavenly aroma that’s pure autumn bliss.
When the cider is nice and warm, mix in the rum. The result is a cozy, comforting drink sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
16. Root Beer
Pairing root beer with rum adds an exciting kick. It takes this classic beverage to the next level.
Just mix your favorite root beer with a shot of spiced rum, then pour it over ice. Simple, right? The result is a bold, smooth cocktail full of character.
But let’s not stop there. Remember those root beer floats from your childhood? We’re bringing them back with an adult twist. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your rum and root beer mix for an indulgent treat.
It’s a sweet, frothy delight, perfect for a lazy summer day or a cozy night.
17. Lemons/Limes
Don’t underestimate the power of simple lemon or lime in a cocktail. These humble citrus fruits work wonderfully well with rum. Lemons and limes bring out the flavors in rum, adding a fresh, vibrant twist.
Lime is the citrus star of classic rum cocktails like the daiquiri and mojito. Its sharpness balances the sweetness. Lemon’s tangy goodness shines in rum sour, adding an intriguing complexity to the mix.
18. Tonic Water
Tonic water has an amazing ability to refresh any cocktail with its bitter taste. It’s just right and not too sweet, making it a solid mixer. It’s excellent for highlighting the spirit’s flavors, giving a refreshing yet potent sip every time.
Of course, we can’t help but think of gin and tonic water. But it works wonders with rum, too. Mixing it with rum can uplift the spirit’s taste, especially when you throw in a squeeze or two of lime.
Don’t forget to include a lime wedge in your glass after squeezing. It’s not just about the juice. The peel adds a fragrant note to the cocktail.
This little detail can level up your rum and tonic from good to great.
19. Sweet Vermouth
Sweet vermouth is often used in potent cocktails like the Negroni or Manhattan. It’s a fortified wine with a rich range of botanical flavors, with both spicy and herbal notes. But it goes beyond complicated concoctions.
Sweet vermouth also pairs brilliantly with rum in a quick and straightforward mix. This results in a drink known as the Palmetto. It’s made with either gold or dark rum, sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of orange bitters.
The rum provides a warm, caramel-like flavor, while the vermouth adds a balanced sweetness. The orange bitters tie it all together with a pleasant finish.
20. Amaretto
Amaretto has a rich, sweet almond flavor perfect for mixing into different cocktails, including ones with rum. This pairing gives you many options to suit any taste.
Keep in mind mixing amaretto and rum will pack a strong punch. It’s usually a good idea to add some other ingredients.
For instance, jazz up a rum and Coke with amaretto and a cherry to make a lounge lizard. Or try a Bella Donna daiquiri, which combines rum, amaretto, lemon juice, and simple sugar. Either way, it’ll hit the spot.
20 Best Rum Mixers for Tasty Cocktails
Try Coke, ginger ale, orange juice, flavored seltzers, and more for the very best rum mixers. Bottoms up!
Ingredients
Coca-Cola
Pineapple Juice
Ginger Beer
Ginger Ale
Club Soda
Coconut Water
Flavored Seltzers
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice
Iced Tea
Grapefruit Juice
Apple Juice
Hot Chocolate
Coffee
Apple Cider
Root Beer
Lemons/Limes
Tonic Water
Sweet Vermouth
Amaretto
Instructions
- Select your favorite mixer.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a rum drink in minutes!
