When your next vacation feels too far away, pineapple rum drinks are a foolproof way to bring the island to you. The flavors of the tropical rum and the sweet, summery taste of pineapple juice will ease your wanderlust pains until you're truly sipping rum cocktails on the beach, untroubled and relaxed. Several pineapple rum cocktails are traditionally served in a hurricane glass, but you can easily substitute a highball or rocks glass.
Pineapple Juice and Rum
The easiest of tropical rum drinks, this is the quickest way to the beach, even if it's only in your imagination.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces rum, either spiced, coconut, or white
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, combine ice, rum, and pineapple juice.
- Garnish with pineapple wedge.
Jungle Bird
First appearing in the 1970s, this rum cocktail has withstood the test of time. The recipe incorporates Campari to balance the sweet ingredients, and the pineapple wedge and leaves as a garnish add an ornamental flair.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces dark rum
- ¾ ounces Campari
- 1½ ounces pineapple juice
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce demerara or simple syrup
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge and leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the ice, rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, and syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with pineapple wedge and leaves.
Painkiller
The painkiller cocktail is a fruity and decadent cocktail is a relative of the piña colada but adds orange juice and grated nutmeg to the mix. Its recipe calls for Pusser's Rum, a British Royal Navy rum riff found in the original recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Pusser's rum, or another navy-style or dark tropical rum
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- Ice
- Freshly grated nutmeg and pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the ice, rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into hurricane glass filled with fresh crushed ice.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg and pineapple wedge.
Mai Tai
The origin of the mai tai has been contested since its inception in either the 1930s or 1940s. Both Donn Beach and Trader Vic claim to have originated the cocktail, each with their similar but slightly different recipes. Today, Trader Vic's recipe is the one most often used. Regardless of its history, the mai tai remains popular through the years.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces white rum
- ¾ ounce orange curaçao
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orgeat
- ½ ounce dark rum
- Crushed ice
- Mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, white rum, curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat.
- Shake to chill.
- Do not strain. Pour ingredients into a cocktail glass.
- Using a bar spoon, slowly pour the dark rum onto the back of the spoon to create the dark rum float.
- Garnish with mint leaves.
Storm of the Century
This rum cocktail is the mightier cousin of the Hurricane and relies on three different rums and Chambord for a twist, but still an ideal beach sipper.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce light rum
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- 1 ounce Chambord or raspberry liqueur
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, rums, Chambord, juices, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Do not strain, pour into hurricane or highball glass.
- Garnish with orange slice.
Rum Punch
Rum Punch is the little sister of the Hurricane, still rum forward with tropical fruity flavors but half the pours.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounces light rum
- 1¼ ounces dark rum
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Orange wheel and maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, rums, juices, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into hurricane glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange wheel and maraschino cherry.
Tropical Storm
While this rum cocktail name may not inspire a good time at the beach, it delivers that tropical feel.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- ¾ ounce dark rum
- ½ ounce banana liqueur
- ¼ ounce Campari
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the ice, rums, pineapple juice, and Campari.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into hurricane or cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pineapple wedge.
Dreaming of the Island Rum Cocktails
Rum cocktails don't need to be just for drinking on the beach during your vacation. They can be your vacation until the sand is between your toes. If any of the rums aren't for you, there are several options to play with until you find your destination.
