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–+ servings

Rum Runner Cocktail

Overhead photo of three Rum Runners garnished with slices of lime and orange with a ramekin of maraschino cherries and a glass shot glass off to the side of the cocktails.
Fruit-forward and iconically tropical, a Rum Runner isn't just another tiki cocktail—it's a full-blown boozy beach vacation poured over ice. Sweet, strong, and wildly refreshing all at once, this drink layers light and dark rum with rich fruit liqueurs, juicy pineapple, bright citrus, and sweet-tart grenadine to instantly shift your mood to that "I'm on island time" energy.
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 5 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail

Equipment

  • 1 Cocktail Shaker or Jar with Tight Fitting Lid

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Dark Rum (2 tablespoons)
  • 1 ounce White Rum (2 tablespoons)
  • ½ ounce Banana Liqueur (Crème de banane) (1 tablespoon)
  • ½ ounce Blackberry Liqueur (Crème de Mûre) (1 tablespoon) (substitute: Crème de cassis)
  • 1 ounce Orange Juice - freshly squeezed is preferred (2 tablespoons)
  • 1 ounce Pineapple Juice - freshly squeezed is preferred (2 tablespoons)
  • ½ ounce Lime Juice - freshly squeezed is preferred (1 tablespoon)
  • ½ ounce Grenadine (1 tablespoon)

Instructions

  • Combine Rum Runner Ingredients: Add the dark rum, light rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and grenadine to a cocktail shaker.
    (Grenadine Note: If you want a layered drink, similar to a sunrise, don't add the grenadine to the cocktail shaker!)
    Overhead action photo of rum runner ingredients being poured into a glass cocktail shaker.
  • Add Ice to Shaker: Fill the cocktail shaker 2/3 full with ice cubes.
    Overhead photo of ice and rum runner ingredients in a glass cocktail shaker.
  • Shake Cocktail: Close the cocktail shaker and vigorously shake until the shaker is cold to the touch.
    Remove the top, give the drink a taste, and adjust the cocktail to suit your specific tastes.
    Then, strain the rum runner into a tall cocktail glass filled with ice.
    (Grenadine Note: If you want a layered drink, slowly pour the grenadine into the cocktail glass—after pouring the drink. The dense grenadine will sink, creating a red bottom that bleeds into an orang-ish gradient at the top.)
    Overhead action photo of a hand shaking a glass cocktail shaker with liquid ingredients in it.
  • Garnish and Enjoy Rum Runner Drink: Garnish with a pineapple wedge, lime wheel, orange peel, and/or maraschino cherry, a cocktail umbrella, or your favorite drink accessories. Enjoy immediately.
    Overhead action photo of a rum runner cocktail being poured out of a shaker and into a tropical drink glass.

Notes

  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You'll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
  • Got questions? I've got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification - please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I'm happy to help when I can! 
I am not a certified nutritionist. All the nutritional information is generated by an online calculator and provided as a courtesy. The nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 1 serving. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcal    Carbohydrates: 23g    Protein: 0.4g    Fat: 0.1g    Saturated Fat: 0.01g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g    Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g    Sodium: 6mg    Potassium: 115mg    Fiber: 0.2g    Sugar: 18g    Vitamin A: 65IU    Vitamin C: 21mg    Calcium: 10mg    Iron: 0.2mg
Course: Cocktail, drink
Cuisine: American