Learn how to make a Rum Old Fashioned! This fun and tasty twist on the classic recipe is just as good as the original, and it's super simple to make!
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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!
Ingredients
So, what's in this rum cocktail, anyway? The ingredients are pretty straightforward:
- Dark Rum
- Simple Syrup (this Brown Sugar Syrup would also be delish)
- Angostura Bitters
- Garnish - Cherry + Orange Twist
With such basic ingredients, you'll 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!
What kind of rum goes in an Old Fashioned?
Choose a dark rum for this drink. Avoid spiced or flavored rums.
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 delicious rum cocktail is simple to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Combine rum, simple syrup, and bitters. Start by adding your dark rum and a little simple syrup to an Old Fashioned glass. Then, you're going to add four dashes of Angostura Bitters. The bitter help bring the other flavors together and will add a layer of complexity to your cocktail.
- Stir. Give your drink a stir. If you have a bar spoon, use it. Otherwise, a regular old spoon works, too!
- Add ice. 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.
- Garnish. 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, remove it with a sharp knife. Gently twist the orange peel over your drink, 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.
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. 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!
So light a fire (or turn on the Yule Log channel!) and get cozy. This easy recipe is one you'll want to repeat all winter long ... and probably in summer, too!
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this Rum Old Fashioned recipe and want more ideas, here are a few other cocktails for you to explore:
- Cuba Libre
- Classic Daiquiri
- Mojito
- Strawberry Mojito
- Blueberry Mojito
- Dark Rum Mojito
- Raspberry French 75
- Spicy Paloma Cocktail
- Strawberry Mint Gin and Tonic
- Irish Coffee
Rum Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 orange
- 1 Maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Add rum, simple syrup, and bitters to an old fashioned glass.
- Mix well, then add ice.
- Using a vegetable peeler, trim a wide strip of peel from the orange.
- Twist the peel over the cocktail to release some of it's oils, then add to glass.
- Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
What is your favorite cocktail?