Learn how to make a Rum Old Fashioned, a fun and tasty twist on the classic Old Fashioned recipe!
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Do you have a favorite cocktail?
I have a few go to drinks, but the Old Fashioned will always have a soft spot in my heart. I grew up in Wisconsin where it’s pretty much the official state drink, after all!
While I love a classic Old Fashioned, sometimes it’s fun to shake things up a little (my Cherry Smash Cocktail comes to mind). I usually prefer mine with whiskey, but did you know that you can make the Old Fashioned with rum, too?
This Rum Old Fashioned is my new fave! You only need a few ingredients to make this tasty cocktail, and it’s so simple to make … I think you’re going to love it, too!
Rum Old Fashioned Ingredients
So, what’s in a Rum Old Fashioned, anyway? The ingredients are pretty straightforward … rum, simple syrup, bitters, an orange twist, and an optional cherry garnish.
With such basic ingredients for this Rum Old Fashioned cocktail, you want to choose good ones! Look for an aged dark rum, nothing spiced, flavored, or overly sweet. And make your own simple syrup … it’s so easy!
My husband picked up a bottle of Ron del Barrilito on our trip to San Juan last summer. It’s Puerto Rico’s oldest rum brand, and you can find it in the continental U.S., too. It’s good stuff!
How to Make a Rum Old Fashioned
This Old Fashioned rum cocktail is so simple to make!
Watch the video below, then keep reading for more tips and a recipe with exact measurements.
Start by adding your rum and a little simple syrup to an Old Fashioned glass.
Then, you’re going to add four dashes of Angostura Bitters.
Don’t worry, these bitters won’t make your drink taste bitter! They simply bring the other flavors together and will add a layer of complexity to your cocktail.
Give your drink a stir.
If you have a bar spoon, use it. Otherwise, a regular old spoon works, too!
After you’ve stirred your cocktail, add ice.
I highly recommend using an ice cube mold to create those large ice cubes like you get in fancy bars. A large cube will melt a lot slower than regular ice cubes and won’t water down your drink as fast. Regular ice works too though if it’s all you have on hand.
Garnishing Your Rum Cocktail
Next, use a kitchen peeler to trim a wide strip of peel from an orange. If there’s a lot of white pith on the back of the peel, use a sharp knife to carefully remove it.
Gently twist the orange peel over your drink. This will release the oils and juice in the skin onto the top of your rum cocktail. Then, drop it in.
For a finishing touch, garnish with a cherry. If you can find them, definitely use Luxardo Maraschino Cherries. They are so good and will forever change how you think of maraschino cherries.
My Kroger only carries the florescent kind, but they work, too!
And that’s how to make a Rum Old Fashioned! Wasn’t that easy?
I made a double old fashioned for my photos, so your drink will have less volume (more like the drink in the background below). It’s a strong drink though, so short works in your favor in the long run!
And this is not the sweet Brandy Old Fashion that Wisconsin is known for … it’s much closer to the classic Old Fashioned you’ll find outside of my home state.
This is the perfect drink for cold fall and winter days though, when a little rum can transport you to a more tropical state of mind!
Now that you know how to make an Old Fashioned with rum, what’s stopping you?
Light a fire (or turn on the Yule Log channel!) and get cozy.
This Rum Old Fashioned recipe is one you’ll want to repeat all winter long … and probably in summer, too!
Learn how to make a Rum Old Fashioned, a fun and easy twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail!
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup (see note for recipe)
- 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 orange
- 1 Maraschino cherry
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Add rum, simple syrup, and bitters to an old fashioned glass.
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Mix well, then add ice.
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Using a vegetable peeler, trim a wide strip of peel from the orange.
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Twist the peel over the cocktail to release some of it's oils, then add to glass.
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Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately. Enjoy!
To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a small pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until sugar is completely dissolved. Cool and store refrigerated in an airtight container.
Looking for more cocktail ideas?
If you enjoyed this Rum Old Fashioned recipe and want more ideas, here are a few other cocktails for you to explore:
- Cherry Smash Cocktail (another Old Fashioned variation)
- Raspberry French 75
- Spicy Paloma Cocktail
- Strawberry Mint Gin and Tonic
What can I say, I like a twist on a classic drink!
Let me know if you try any of these, I’d love to hear what you think.
What is your favorite cocktail?
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