When I think of the sights, scents, and tastes of summer, a beachside cocktail is right up there with the smell of a fresh bottle of SPF 50 and the hot sand under my feet. Always a sucker for a good Mai Tai at a Tiki bar, Rum-based cocktails always transport me to some faraway tropical island where I'm working on my base tan.
Whether you’re on a sandy beach in Jamaica or just pretending to be from the comfort of your own home, we’ve got you covered on the best rum drinks this summer. Rum is also the perfect liquor to improvise with on the fly – try coconut rum on the rocks with a splash of pineapple juice, a hot and spicy ginger beer mixed with dark spiced rum, or white rum blended with ice, lime juice, fresh fruit you have on hand, and a simple syrup for a no-fuss daiquiri.
From classic pina coladas to mixing up the perfect rum and coke, you’ll be bonding with your shaker and blender all summer long with these iconic rum drinks. What’s my ultimate favorite way to use rum, you ask? Well, I love to swap rum in place of tequila, gin, and vodka for a fresh and unexpected spin on a margarita, martini, and even a rum sunset.
We know you’ll love our list of the best summertime rum cocktails – be sure to enjoy them poolside (or even couch-side.) Want even more summer cocktail ideas? Check out our best vodka cocktails, best gin cocktails, and best big batch cocktail recipes!
For more boozy summer ideas, check out our favorite summer cocktails, too!
Rum and Coke
The right proportions are everything in the perfect rum and coke. For a spin on this classic, add a splash of lime juice to turn this cocktail into another rum-based standby: the Cuba Libre.
Get the Rum and Coke recipe.
Strawberry Daiquiri
The mix of fresh and frozen strawberries in this recipe is the trick for a smooth, frosty daiquiri. If you love this drink, then we think you'll really love our Strawberry Frosé.
Get the Strawberry Daiquiri recipe.
Piña Colada
Tangy pineapple blended with spiced rum and rich coconut milk makes this a vacation in a glass. Pairs perfectly with getting caught in the rain.
Get the Classic Piña Colada recipe.
Rum Runner
Did you know? The name of this classic tropical cocktail originates from the Prohibition-era, when bootleggers would, quite literally, would run liquor across state lines to speakeasies.
Get the Rum Runner recipe.
Dark N' Stormy
Deceptively simple to mix up, the Dark N' Stormy delivers a refreshingly complex wave of spice and zing. Want it with a twist? Try our Frozen Dark N’ Stormy!
Get the Dark N' Stormy recipe.
Mojitos, Three Ways
For when you just can’t choose—and why should you? These easy, customizable mojitos come together fast, muddled with fresh mint and pineapple, blueberries, and strawberries.
Get the Mojitos, Three Ways recipe.
Mai Tai
This drink is an OOO email in a glass. Fun fact: Orgeat syrup (with its signature almond flavor) is why mai tais tastes so good, but feel free to swap in almond extract as well.
Get the Mai Tai recipe.
Painkiller Cocktail
Created in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar in British Virgin Islands, the Painkiller lives up to its name, delivering plenty of booze in a frothy, nutmeg-dusted package.
Get the Painkiller Cocktail recipe.
Frozen Dark & Stormy
We think the spicier the ginger beer the better in this grown-up slushie. Extra fresh ginger, please!
Get the Frozen Dark N' Stormy recipe.
Hurricane
This iconic fruity, boozy drink will transport you right to Bourbon Street, where it was invented as a spin on a daiquiri. We think the weather report has 100% chance of this becoming your next favorite cocktail.
Get the Hurricane recipe.
Rum Sunset
Our rum-ified spin on the classic Tequila Sunset is simple yet sultry. Try with coconut rum for a twist.
Get the Rum Sunset recipe.
Blackberry Mojito
Crushed, ripe blackberries give this mojito a tart-sweet kick. Don't forget to muddle that mint!
Get the Blackberry Mojito recipe.
Mermaid Lemonade
We want to be where the mermaid lemonades are. Ariel would definitely approve of this tropical combo of lemonade, blue curacao, and rum.
Get the Mermaid Lemonade recipe.
Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri
A perfect last-minute party cocktail, this zero-effort daiquiri comes together with a secret weapon: frozen watermelon cubes.
Get the Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri recipe.
Rum Slushies
The 21-and-up answer to a 7-Eleven craving for a smooth, fruity slushy. We love to improvise with any and all frozen juice concentrates for this.
Get the Rum Slushies recipe.
Shark Infested Water
We claim this should as the official drink of Shark Week. Goes perfectly in a punch bowl!
Get the Shark Infested Water recipe.
Mermaid Coladas
A (generous) splash of blue Curaçao turns piña coladas into a gorgeous hue of blue. This creamy, dreamy colada is so delicious you'll want to swim in it.
Get the Mermaid Coladas recipe.
Lava Flow
Rich coconut cream and coconut rum, blended up with strawberries, pineapple, and banana? You just might lava this drink! 😉
Get the Lava Flow recipe.
Bahama Mama
We created a fresh take on this tropical mix of pineapple, orange, and two different types of rum. Add a splash of coffee liqueur to mix a more traditional take.
Get the Bahama Mama recipe.
Boozy Fishbowl
A perfect big-batch summer cocktail recipe for a party, this fishbowl is based on the classic drink, the Blue Hawaiian.
Get the Boozy Fishbowl recipe.
