Rum Runner

Rum Runner is a sweet and fruity rum cocktail that features light and dark rum, banana and blackberry liqueurs, pineapple juice and orange juice. It tastes smooth and sweet but hides the fact that it packs a punch!
5 from 1 vote
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Tropical cocktails was my specially back in my bartending days. I have more regulars come for those than even my Margaritas. It’s all about the balance of sweetness and making sure they have a good amount of kick and not just juice.

A glass is filled with ice and rum runner cocktail.

A rum runner is a classic Key West cocktail that is so well known for a reason – it’s both incredibly delicious and strong! If you’re looking for a mild cocktail, this is not it!

Rum Runner is a pretty strong cocktail but the strength is hidden by the bright fruit flavor. There are 4 oz. of alcohol total and 2 oz of juice. Be mindful when drinking them because they do not taste strong at all!

The name of this cocktail comes from the term “rum runners!” They were people who would smuggle alcohol into the Keys during the prohibition period. In true Florida fashion, they smuggled the alcohol by water – not by land. And they liked their drinks strong too!

If you would like to try a milder rum cocktail, I would recommend Bahama Mama and Rum Punch.

Labeled ingredients to make a rum runner cocktail with cocktail shaker and ice.

Helpful Things to Know

Do use a cocktail shaker! Many cocktails should be shaken because it incorporated the flavors so much better when vigorously shaken.

You can make it ahead of time! You can mix a couple of servings without ice and store it in the refrigerator in a glass jar or the cocktail shaker. When you’re ready, just add ice and shake it up.

Increase servings as needed! If you need to make a few rum runners for a gathering, you can easily double, triple, or increase the servings amount as needed.

Need to make a pitcher? An average pitcher is 60 oz, which is 10-12 servings (think ice melting). Since the amount in this recipe and nice and easy 1 oz portions, you simply times each one by 10. Remember these are liquid amounts to use a liquid measuring cup not one for dry ingredients.

Rum runner cocktail is being poured from a cocktail shaker into a hurricane glass.
Two hurricane glasses are filled with orange rum runner and garnished with fruit and umbrellas.

Variations to Try:

  • While mini umbrellas, blackberries and orange slices are my favorite rum runner garnishes, you can get even more creative with garnishes! Sliced strawberries, pineapple, and maraschino cherries are all gorgeous on top of this tropical drink. Whip out your tiki glasses too!
  • You can make this drink even more summer-friendly by making it frozen! Simply pour all of the ingredients into a blender and add 1/2 to 1 cup of ice. Blend it all together until smooth, and you’ll have the best boozy slushy to enjoy by the pool.
  • For an extra island-inspired flavor, substitute the plain white rum for coconut rum. It’s a wonderful way to get just a delicate hint of coconut! I would advise against any other flavored rums, as there are already so many other strongly flavored juices and liqueurs here.
A handful of blackberries are scattered around two rum runners.

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A glass is filled with ice and rum runner cocktail.

Rum Runner Cocktail Recipe

Rum Runner is a sweet and fruity rum cocktail that features light and dark rum, banana and blackberry liqueurs, pineapple juice and orange juice. It tastes smooth and sweet but hides the fact that it packs a punch!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: cocktail, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 350kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 1 oz dark rum
  • 1 oz white rum
  • 1 oz banana liqueur
  • 1 oz blackberry liqueur
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz orange juice

Instructions

  • Fill hurricane glass with some ice about 1/2 -2/3 of the way.
  • In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients and a handful of ice.
  • Shake well for a few seconds and strain the mixture into the glass.
  • Garnish and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can make it ahead of time! You can mix a couple of servings without ice and store it in the refrigerator in a glass jar or the cocktail shaker. When you’re ready, just add ice and shake it up.
  • Increase servings as needed! If you need to make a few rum runners for a gathering, you can easily double, triple, or increase the servings amount as needed.
  • Need to make a pitcher? An average pitcher is 60 oz, which is 10-12 servings (think ice melting). Since the amount in this recipe and nice and easy 1 oz portions, you simply times each one by 10. Remember these are liquid amounts to use a liquid measuring cup not one for dry ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles or tag #willcookforsmiles!

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All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

5 from 1 vote

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3 Comments

  1. Jamika Banegas says:

    buenas noches, impressive blog on lardaceous loss. aforesaid helped.

  2. 5 stars
    The best poolside drink!

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