A rum runner cocktail is a fun and fruity tiki drink that is perfect for summertime celebrations or lazy days by the pool! This easy-to-drink cocktail packs a surprising punch because it features not only light and dark rum but also banana and blackberry liqueur! Combined with orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and grenadine, this punch-like beverage is wonderfully refreshing!
Best Rum Runner Cocktail Recipe
A rum runner is a fruity and tropical cocktail that packs a punch! It's made with a blend of rums, fruit juices, and sweet liqueurs, creating a deliciously complex and refreshing flavor profile.
Make no mistake. This is a potent drink that doesn't taste as strong as it is. If fruity cocktails with a kick are your go-to, it doesn't get much better than a rum runner!
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If you are a fan of rum cocktails, then you'll love these Malibu cocktail recipes! Many of them are fruity and tropical, so you could offer a variety of refreshing drinks at your next party!
🌎 Origin
A rum runner is a classic cocktail that has a history dating back to the Prohibition era. It is thought to have originated in the Florida Keys sometime during the 1950s. This was a popular drink among the many 'rum runners' who were smuggling illegal alcohol from the Caribbean into the United States.
The drink's popularity spread across the country, and it quickly became a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts. Now rum runners have become a staple at beach bars and tiki-themed restaurants around the world!
🍹 Rum Runner Cocktail Ingredients
A rum runner uses a variety of ingredients to achieve a perfect balance of sweet, fruity, tart, and smooth flavors.
- Dark Rum - 1 ounce of dark-aged rum or spiced rum.
- Light Rum - 1 ounce of light rum (also called white or silver rum).
- Banana Liqueur - ½ ounce of banana liqueur (also called crème de banane).
- Blackberry Liqueur - ½ ounce of blackberry liqueur (also called crème de mûre).
- Pineapple Juice - 1 ounce of pineapple juice. You can use canned or fresh.
- Orange Juice - 1 ounce of orange juice (fresh is best).
- Lime Juice - ½ ounce of lime juice (freshly squeezed is best).
- Grenadine - ½ ounce of grenadine.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🍸 How To Make A Rum Runner Cocktail
Despite the somewhat long list of ingredients, making this cocktail is incredibly simple! You'll need measuring utensils or a home bar kit, a cocktail shaker, a hurricane glass, and a cocktail garnish pick if adding a garnish.
- Measure the ingredients. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 1 ounce of dark rum, 1 ounce of light rum, ½ ounce of banana liqueur, ½ ounce of blackberry liqueur, 1 ounce of pineapple juice, 1 ounce of orange juice, ½ ounce of lime juice, and ½ ounce of grenadine.
- Shake. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until thoroughly chilled.
- Add ice and strain. Fill a hurricane glass with ice and strain the drink into the glass.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with a skewered pineapple wedge and cherry if desired, and enjoy right away!
A rum runner is a perfect cocktail for sipping on summer weekends. For the full island experience, serve it in a tiki glass! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Some versions of the rum runner cocktail only use pineapple juice and some call for both pineapple and orange juice. It's delicious either way, but I really enjoy the balance of flavors between pineapple and orange juice. If desired, you can leave out the 1 ounce of OJ and use 2 ounces of pineapple juice instead.
- Any fruit that is represented in this drink can be used as a garnish. You can serve yours with an orange wedge, wheel, or twist, a pineapple wedge, cherries, lime wedges or wheels, or even blackberries (bananas, however, don't make a great garnish).
- A rum runner should always be served chilled, so make sure to chill your glasses in the freezer before you start making the cocktail. You can also use crushed ice to keep it cold and refreshing!
- This is a classic tiki cocktail that is perfect for parties! It's not uncommon to see them served with an extra floater of rum on top. To do this, prepare the cocktail as directed and gently pour an extra 1 ounce of strong-proof rum directly on top.
🍲 Foods To Serve With
The tropical island flavors of this rum cocktail pair wonderfully with seafood! You can also lean into the fruity taste of this drink by pairing it with other fruity or tropical recipes.
- Creamy Coconut Shrimp
- Oysters Rockefeller
- Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
- Steamed Clams
- New England Lobster Roll
- Orange Loaf Cake
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
❓ Recipe FAQs
A rum runner is a rum cocktail made with both light and dark rum combined with banana liqueur and blackberry liqueur. Then, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine are added to give it a sweet and fruity taste.
Dark or aged rum and light rum are traditionally used for rum runner cocktails. Dark rum provides a rich and complex flavor that contrasts with the other ingredients and gives the drink a balanced taste. Some popular options include Jamaican rum, Barbados rum, and Demerara rum. Light rum can be your preferred brand of white or silver rum.
Some people do not include orange juice in their rum runner and use 2 ounces of pineapple juice instead. You can also play with flavor by using spiced rum or a flavored light rum like Malibu.
🍷 More Tasty Cocktail Recipes
- White Lady Cocktail - A sophisticated blend of gin, triple sec, and lemon juice that's great for any occasion!
- Sidecar Cocktail - A timeless classic with brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, served in a sugared-rim glass.
- Old Fashioned Cocktail - A simple yet elegant combination of bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a twist of orange.
- Blue Lagoon Cocktail - A refreshing tropical drink with vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade that's perfect for a hot summer day!
- Sangria is a fruity and flavorful wine-based cocktail made in a pitcher and great for parties!
- Lemon Drop Martini - A tart and sweet blend of vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and sugar, garnished with a sugared rim.
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📖 Recipe Card
Rum Runner
Ingredients
- 1 oz dark rum (aged or spiced rum)
- 1 oz light rum (white or silver rum)
- ½ oz banana liqueur (crème de banane)
- ½ oz blackberry liqueur (crème de mûre)
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- ½ oz lime juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- ½ oz grenadine
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 1 oz dark rum, 1 oz light rum, ½ oz banana liqueur, ½ oz blackberry liqueur, 1 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz orange juice, ½ oz lime juice, and ½ oz grenadine.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until thoroughly chilled.
- Fill a hurricane glass with ice and strain the drink into the glass.
- Garnish with a skewered pineapple wedge and cherry if desired, and enjoy right away!
Notes
- Some versions of the rum runner cocktail only use pineapple juice and some call for both pineapple and orange juice. It's delicious either way, but I really enjoy the balance of flavors between pineapple and orange juice. If desired, you can leave out the 1 ounce of OJ and use 2 ounces of pineapple juice instead.
- Any fruit that is represented in this drink can be used as a garnish. You can serve yours with an orange wedge, wheel, or twist, a pineapple wedge, cherries, lime wedges or wheels, or even blackberries (bananas, however, don't make a great garnish).
- A rum runner should always be served chilled, so make sure to chill your glasses in the freezer before you start making the cocktail. You can also use crushed ice to keep it cold and refreshing!
- This is a classic tiki cocktail that is perfect for parties! It's not uncommon to see them served with an extra floater of rum on top. To do this, prepare the cocktail as directed and gently pour an extra 1 ounce of strong-proof rum directly on top.
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