Go for the classic Rum and Coke by starting with approximately 2  fl oz (59 mL) of light or dark rum and adding a dark cola to taste. Pour over ice, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve. Try a spicier mixed drink, called a Dark ’n’ Stormy, by filling a highball glass with ice, adding 2 shots of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, and topping it off with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve. (Note that Gosling Brother’s Ltd. trademarked the name of this drink, so legally, it must be made with Gosling’s rum. )[1] X Research source

Put several wedges of lime and fresh mint leaves into a glass and muddle them to release their flavors if you wish. Add ice and 2  fl oz (59 mL) of light rum. Fill the rest of the glass with club soda, then stir in sugar to taste. Try adding other fruit flavors to a mojito, like strawberry or pineapple, by adding either the fresh fruit or juice.

Build on the basic recipe of 2  fl oz (59 mL) of light rum, 3⁄4  fl oz (22 mL) of fresh lime juice, and 1⁄4  fl oz (7. 4 mL) of simple syrup with fruits like banana, strawberry, pineapple, etc. Line the rim of a glass with brown sugar and a fresh wedge of whatever fruit you use for a common daiquiri presentation. Serve the drink neat in a martini glass.

Combine 2  fl oz (59 mL) of dark rum with 3⁄4  fl oz (22 mL) of lime juice, 1⁄4  fl oz (7. 4 mL) of simple syrup, 1⁄2  fl oz (15 mL) of orange curacao, and 1⁄4  fl oz (7. 4 mL) of orgeat and pour over ice. Top with a lime wedge and a mint leaf. If you don’t have the specialty ingredients for this cocktail on hand, you can substitute cheaper almond syrup for orgeat and triple sec for orange curacao. [3] X Research source

Look for higher quality in light rum by avoiding flavored or “over proofed” varieties, like Bacardi 151. This type of liquor has 75% ABV or higher, rather than the typical 40% ABV. Look for higher quality in gold rum by avoiding brands that color the rum artificially to achieve the traditional amber color. While alcohol companies aren’t required to list ingredients, you can generally count on more expensive brands for rum that isn’t dyed. Look for higher quality in dark rum by buying a more expensive variety. For spiced rum, avoid cheaper brands that simply dye light rum darker. You want gold or even dark rum that is infused with spices like anise, cinnamon, pepper, and rosemary.

Smell the aromas of the rum from a distance so you don’t hurt your nose, and take small sips to let the flavor access all parts of your tongue. [4] X Research source Drink sipping rum at room temperature, or on the rocks if you wish.

These specialized, “pure” forms of rum are considered such because they use the fresh sugar cane juice rather than molasses and use little to no other ingredients in processing. Try rhum agricole or cachaça neat to experience the full flavor. Cachaça is also typically used in a Caipirinha, a cocktail popular in Brazil, where cachaça is the national liquor. [6] X Research source

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with butter. Put in a mug with 3  fl oz (89 mL) of dark rum and fill up with hot water. [7] X Research source Try a creamy variation of this drink by adding heated milk to the mixture instead of or in addition to the water. [8] X Research source

Use a hot chocolate packet, or make your own by heating whole milk and adding rum and bittersweet chocolate or cocoa powder. [9] X Research source Add rum to any freshly brewed strong coffee, including espresso drinks like an Americano or latte. Sweeten to taste with sugar or your sweetener of choice.

Put 1  fl oz (30 mL) of a spiced rum, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey, and a quarter of a lemon in a mug, then fill it with hot water and stir to melt the honey. Add cinnamon sugar to taste. [10] X Research source Substitute spiced rum for a gold or dark rum if you wish, and add more of your own fresh spices and garnishes if you wish, like orange peel. [11] X Research source