How to Make Rum Drinks

Rum is one of the more popular liquors for mixing cocktails, and should be a part of any well-stocked bar. To learn how to make rum drinks, just read through this guide.

Rum is made from fermented sugar cane, and has a distinctive flavor. It is more distinctive in cocktails than vodka, which has little flavor of it's own. When making rum drinks, the goal is not to smother the taste, but to enhance it and add extra flavor or sweetness. Many people actually drink top-shelf rum all on its own, on the rocks or "neat," and savor the pungent taste and aromas.

There are several different types of rum. Here are the most popular varieties:

1. Light rum: is clear, and has the lightest flavor of all the rums
2. Dark rum: is brown in color, and is more pungent than light rum
3. Spiced rum: is usually dark, with added flavorings and sweeteners

Here are some classic rum cocktails:

1. Rum and cola: just what it sounds like--a shot of rum over ice, topped with cola
2. Cuba Libra: run and cola with lime
3. Rum runner: rum with banana liquor, blackberry brandy, and orange juice
4. Mai Tai: light rum, dark rum, amaretto, triple sec, orange juice and pineapple juice
5. Hurricane: light rum, dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine

1. Cuban Special: light rum, triple sec, pineapple juice and lime juice
2. Rum aid: coconut rum, spiced rum, Grand Marnier, sweet and sour, ginger ale
3. Rum cooler: rum and lemon-lime soda
4. Rum daisy: dark rum, lemon juice, sugar, grenadine
5. Rum punch: rum, lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, simple syrup or sugar, dash bitters http://www.rumcocktailrecipes.com/browse-drinks/index.asp?letter=R

Just about any rum cocktail can be served as a frozen concoction. Simply fill your glass with ice cubes, and add all ingredients, as though you were making a regular on-the-rocks drink. No need to stir. Then, dump the entire contents into a blender, and blend until completely smooth. Voila!