National Rum Day: exquisite cocktails to celebrate life, culture, summer, and togetherness

A spirit with remarkable history and culture

Senior Writer

UPDATED AUGUST 16, 2021 3:17 PM EDTAUG 16, 2021, 3:17 PM EDT

Every year on August 16, the United States celebrates National Rum Day. The history and culture surrounding this spirit are remarkable. Among other things, rum production has a significant impact on the economy of North and Latin America.

Thanks to its versatility, this liquor is preferred by many. Initially called “kill devil” for its high alcohol content and taste, the Caribbean adopted and tweaked rum’s flavor and aroma until it became one of the most popular spirits in islands such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Jamaica.

Celebrating National Rum Day is as simple as pouring your preferred brand over ice. However, if you feel like enjoying a unique and refreshing cocktail, we got some recipes for you.

Find below our curated list of cocktails perfect for celebrating life, summer, togetherness, and National Rum Day. ¡Salud!

Rum Derby

Ingredients:

2 oz. Barceló Imperial Rum

1 oz. fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

½ oz. honey syrup

Garnish: twist of grapefruit peel

Method:

In a shaker with ice, combine Barceló Imperial Rum, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and honey syrup. Shake well and then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a twist of grapefruit peel.

CUATRO SMASH

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz. BACARDÍ Añejo Cuatro

1 oz. ST-GERMAIN Elderflower Liqueur

1 oz. ruby red grapefruit juice

1 oz. tonic water

Method:

Combine the first three ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice, and shake. Strain into a highball glass filled with crushed or cubed ice. Top with tonic water. Garnish with a grapefruit peel and a mint spring.

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Sidecar

Ingredients:

1.7 oz Reserva Exclusiva

.50 oz orange liquor

.70 oz lime juice

Method:

Moisten rim with ½ a lemon. Dip the rim in sugar. Shake all the ingredients with ice. Strain over a cocktail glass.

Rum Sour

Ingredients:

2 oz. Barceló Gran Añejo Rum

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

1 oz. simple syrup

1 egg white

½ oz. red wine.

Method:

In a shaker with ice, combine Barceló Gran Añejo Rum, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Gently pour red wine over the back of a spoon held just above the drink‘s surface so the wine floats on the surface of the drink.

Guava-Colada

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Santa Teresa 1796

.75 oz Lime Juice

.75 oz Guava nectar/juice

.75 oz Coco Lopez Coconut Cream

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a tin. Add ice. Shake. Strain. Serve in Collins or Hurricane glass Ice, with crushed garnish, burnt cinnamon stick and lime wheel.

Havana Club Clásico 1934

Ingredients:

2 oz Havana Club Añejo Clásico

3/4 oz Martini & Rossi Rosso Sweet Vermouth

1/2 oz Amaro Averna

3 dashes Orange Bitters

Spicy Mango Daiquiri

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Santa Teresa 1796

1 oz Lime Juice

.5 oz Monin Mango Syrup

1-2 dash Scrappy’s Hellfire Bitters

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a tin. Add ice. Shake. Fine strain in a chilled glass Tajin rim and lime wheel.

Black Barrel Classic Daquiri

Ingredients:

2 oz Mount Gay Black Barrel

1 oz Fresh Lime Juice

1 oz Simple Syrup

Lime wheel for garnish

Method:

Add ingredients to the shaker. Add ice, shake, and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Rum Manhattan

Ingredients:

2 oz. Barceló Imperial Onyx Rum

1 tsp. of sweet vermouth

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

Garnish: Luxardo Maraschino cherry

Method:

In a mixing glass with ice, combine Barceló Imperial Onyx, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters. Stir until well-chilled and then pour into a chilled Manhattan or martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.