White rum, also known as light rum or silver rum, is a clear alcoholic beverage that is distilled from fermented sugarcane juice or molasses. It is typically aged for a short period of time in stainless steel or oak barrels, which gives it a light and smooth flavor profile.
White rum is a popular ingredient in cocktails, such as mojitos, daiquiris, and piña coladas, due to its mild flavor and versatility. It can also be enjoyed neat or on the rocks as a sipping rum.
Compared to dark rum, which is aged for a longer period of time and has a more complex and robust flavor profile, white rum is often considered to be more suitable for mixing due to its lighter flavor.
White Rum Cocktails Recipes
Classic Cocktail Recipes
- Mojito:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 6-8 mint leaves
- Club soda
Instructions: Muddle the mint leaves in a glass with the lime juice and simple syrup. Add ice, white rum, and top with club soda. Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig.
- Daiquiri:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
- Piña Colada:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1 1/2 oz. cream of coconut
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- Pineapple wedge
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and pour into a hurricane glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Modern Cocktail Recipes
- Rum Sour:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 1/2 oz. egg white
- Angostura bitters
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker without ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Add ice and shake again until chilled. Strain into a glass and top with a few drops of Angostura bitters.
- The Hemingway Daiquiri:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
- Rum Runner:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. blackberry liqueur
- 1 oz. banana liqueur
- 1 oz. orange juice
- 1 oz. pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- Splash of grenadine
- Splash of dark rum
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except the dark rum in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and pour into a hurricane glass. Float the dark rum on top and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
- Coconut Ginger Fizz:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. coconut cream
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. ginger syrup
- Club soda
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except the club soda in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a lime wheel and a piece of candied ginger.
10 Unique White Rum Cocktail Recipes
Pineapple Basil Cocktail
- 2 oz. white rum
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 3-4 basil leaves
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1/2 oz. honey syrup
- Club soda
Instructions: In a shaker, muddle the basil leaves with lime juice and honey syrup. Add white rum and pineapple juice, then fill with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a sprig of basil.
Coconut Lime Margarita
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. coconut cream
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. triple sec
- Salt
Instructions: Rim a glass with salt. In a shaker, combine white rum, coconut cream, lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Ginger Peach Punch
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. peach puree
- 1 oz. ginger syrup
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- Club soda
Instructions: In a shaker, combine white rum, peach puree, ginger syrup, and lime juice with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a slice of fresh peach and a sprig of mint.
Mango Habanero Margarita
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. mango puree
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. habanero syrup
- Salt
Instructions: Rim a glass with salt. In a shaker, combine white rum, mango puree, lime juice, and habanero syrup with ice. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over ice. Garnish with a slice of fresh mango and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
Grapefruit Rosemary Cocktail
- 2 oz. white rum
- 2 oz. grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz. rosemary syrup
- Club soda
- Rosemary sprig
Instructions: In a shaker, combine white rum, grapefruit juice, and rosemary syrup with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Raspberry Mint Mojito
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1/2 oz. raspberry liqueur
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. mint syrup
- Club soda
- Fresh raspberries and mint leaves for garnish
Instructions: In a shaker, combine white rum, raspberry liqueur, lime juice, and mint syrup with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Top with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves.
Honeydew and Cucumber Cooler
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. fresh honeydew juice
- 1 oz. cucumber juice
- 1/2 oz. honey syrup
- 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
- Club soda
- Cucumber slices for garnish
Instructions: In a shaker, combine white rum, honeydew juice, cucumber juice, honey syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with cucumber slices.
Coconut Pineapple Rum Punch
- 2 oz. white rum
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1 oz. coconut milk
- 1/2 oz. orgeat syrup
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions: In a shaker, combine white rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk, orgeat syrup, and lime juice with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
White Peach and Thyme Cocktail
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. white peach puree
- 1/2 oz. thyme syrup
- 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
- Club soda
- Thyme sprig for garnish
Instructions: In a shaker, combine white rum, white peach puree, thyme syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a thyme sprig.
Papaya Ginger Rum Sour
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. fresh papaya juice
- 1/2 oz. ginger syrup
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- Egg white
- Angostura bitters
- Candied ginger for garnish
Instructions: In a shaker, combine white rum, papaya juice, ginger syrup, lime juice, and egg white with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters on top. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.
About White Rum
Origin: White rum, also known as light or silver rum, has been produced in the Caribbean region for centuries. It was first distilled on the island of Barbados in the 17th century and quickly spread throughout the Caribbean islands.
Ingredients: White rum is made from sugar cane juice or molasses, which are fermented and then distilled. It is typically aged in oak barrels for a short period of time to impart some flavor and color, but is then filtered to remove any color and impurities, resulting in a clear, smooth spirit.
Flavor: White rum is known for its light and clean flavor profile, with notes of vanilla, citrus, and tropical fruits. It is less complex than aged rums, as it does not have the same depth of flavor that comes from barrel aging.
Proof: White rum typically ranges in proof from 80 to 100, although some higher-proof varieties can be found. The proof refers to the alcohol content of the rum, with higher proof rums containing more alcohol.
Usage: White rum is a versatile spirit that can be used in a variety of cocktails, from classic daiquiris and mojitos to modern tiki drinks and punches. It can also be enjoyed neat or on the rocks as a sipping rum.
Serving: White rum is typically served in a tall glass or a rocks glass, depending on the cocktail. It is often garnished with fruit or herbs, such as lime or mint, to enhance the flavor of the drink.
Production: White rum is produced by fermenting sugar cane juice or molasses, which is then distilled to create a clear spirit. The rum is then aged in oak barrels for a short period of time to impart some flavor and color, before being filtered to remove any color and impurities.
Manufacturer: There are many manufacturers of white rum, with some of the most well-known brands including Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Denizen, and Mount Gay.
Variations: There are many variations of white rum, including flavored rums that are infused with natural or artificial flavors such as coconut, pineapple, or mango. Some brands also produce high-proof white rums, which are intended for use in cocktails that require a stronger spirit.
White rum can be mixed with a variety of ingredients to create delicious cocktails or mixed drinks. Here are some common mixers that are often paired with white rum:
- Fruit juices: White rum pairs well with a range of fruit juices, including pineapple, orange, grapefruit, and cranberry. These juices can be used as the base for a refreshing rum punch or a fruity cocktail.
- Carbonated beverages: White rum can be mixed with soda water, tonic water, or cola to create a simple and refreshing mixed drink. These carbonated beverages can also be used to add a little fizz to a fruity rum cocktail.
- Syrups: Simple syrup, honey syrup, or flavored syrups like ginger or vanilla can be used to add sweetness and flavor to a white rum cocktail.
- Liqueurs: White rum can be paired with liqueurs like triple sec, amaretto, or peach schnapps to create a complex and flavorful cocktail.
- Herbs and spices: Fresh herbs like mint or basil can be muddled with white rum to add a fresh and aromatic element to a cocktail. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom can also be used to add warmth and depth of flavor to a rum cocktail.
Overall, the versatility of white rum means that it can be paired with a wide range of ingredients to create delicious cocktails and mixed drinks.