8 Not-Too-Sweet Rum Cocktails

Rum doesn't get the most love in the cocktail world—too many people have been put off by sickly-sweet tiki drinks made with bottom-shelf versions of the sugarcane-based spirit. And that's a shame, because quality rums, whether a crisp white, a caramelly dark, or a near-dangerously strong naval variety, offer a world of flavors. To show off what this spirit can do, we've rounded up 8 of our favorite rum cocktail recipes.

100-Year-Old Cigar (Rum, Scotch, and Cynar Cocktail)

Not a fan of tropical rum drinks? This brooding stirred cocktail is a perfect introduction to the spirit for whiskey die-hards. It's based on a good aged rum, to which we add an intensely peaty Scotch, plus herbal liqueurs: bitter Cynar and sweeter Bénédictine. Rinsing the glass with absinthe, as you would for a Sazerac, lends the drink an anise note without overpowering the other flavors.

Get the recipe for the 100-Year-Old Cigar (Rum, Scotch, and Cynar Cocktail) »

Suns 'n Roses (Rum and Stone Fruit Punch)

If you want more of a party-appropriate crowd-pleaser, try this bright, fruit-forward punch. We make it with aged rum, white tea, and lemon juice, and sweeten it with a syrup flavored with fresh peach or nectarine, dried apricots, and vanilla bean. Conveniently, you can make the punch six hours before serving it.

Get the recipe for the Suns 'n Roses (Rum and Stone Fruit Punch) »

Daiquiri

The classic daiquiri—made with just rum, lime juice, and sugar—is a far cry from hyper-sweet frozen versions. Light rum is the best choice, and gold rum is okay, but dark rum will be too heavy. The key is carefully measuring your ingredients to get the balance of flavors just right.

Get the recipe for the Daiquiri »

Mr. Howell (Daiquiri With Scotch and Maple)

This complex daiquiri variation uses rich maple syrup instead of plain old sugar and adds a touch of smoky Scotch to the mix. Feel free to experiment with different kinds of rum—a white variety will yield a cleaner-tasting drink, while something dark, like Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, will give it a funky edge.

Get the recipe for the Mr. Howell (Daiquiri With Scotch and Maple) »

Cranberry Especial

This easy-drinking cocktail's sophisticated taste comes from long-aged oloroso sherry and tart cranberry juice. A half-ounce pour of gold rum serves as a supporting player here, giving the drink a little spicy depth without upstaging the sherry's nutty flavors.

Get the recipe for the Cranberry Especial »

Silver Daisy (Sparkling Rum Cocktail)

In this tiki-inspired twist on the French 75, a classic Champagne cocktail, we replace the gin with a lightly aged rum, giving the drink a hint of vanilla. The original cocktail traditionally calls for just lemon juice in addition to the gin and bubbly. For this one, we find that a combination of lime juice, a little orange curaçao, and Angostura bitters is a better match for the rum.

Get the recipe for the Silver Daisy (Sparkling Rum Cocktail) »

Isla Bonita Punch (Sparkling Pineapple-Rum Punch)

Another sparkling rum cocktail, this white rum punch gets its festive island vibe from pineapple juice, lime juice, and a whole lot of muddled mint. A vanilla-infused simple syrup gives it an elegant sweetness.

Get the recipe for Isla Bonita Punch (Sparkling Pineapple-Rum Punch) »

Everything Nice (Spiced-Rum Coffee With Butterscotch Whipped Cream)

In this riff on Irish coffee, we swap out the traditional whiskey for spiced rum, which balances the coffee's bitterness with its caramel sweetness. The best part, though, is the finishing touch: We top the drink with a quick butterscotch whipped cream, made with malted milk powder and dark brown sugar, plus a grating of fresh nutmeg to bring out the rum's spicy notes.

Get the recipe for the Everything Nice (Spiced-Rum Coffee With Butterscotch Whipped Cream) »

Read More

• The Serious Eats Guide to Rum
• The Best Rum for a Daiquiri
• The 10 Best Budget Rums