What the Pros Drink: 8 Must-Try Rum Cocktails
August 28, 2025
Ever wonder what bartenders actually order when they’re the ones sitting at the bar? When it comes to rum, the answers are as diverse as the spirit itself—funky daiquiris, swizzles packed with theatre, or even a simple rum and spirit forward serves. We asked bartenders and rum lovers across Canada to share the cocktails they reach for when they’re off the clock. The results? A mix of classics, guilty pleasures, and insider picks that reveal just how versatile (and fun) rum can be.
Bartenders & Enthusiasts Favorite Rum Drinks
- Pineapple Daiquiri
- Daiquiri
- Queen's Park Swizzle
- Red Hook
- Missionary's Downfall
- Mai Tai
- Mojito
- Rum Sea Breeze
Pineapple Daiquiri (Jackson Long’s Way)
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum
1.0 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.75 oz Simple Syrup
2 dashes Absinthe
Garnish: Pineapple
Method:
Shake, double strain & serve up in a chilled coupe.
Daiquiri
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Rum
1.0 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.75 oz Simple Syrup
Method:
Shake, double strain & serve up in a chilled coupe.
Queen’s Park Swizzle
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Demerara Rum
1.0 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.75 oz Simple Syrup
4 dashes Angostura
8-10 Mint Leaves
Garnish: Mint & Lime
Method:
Add mint & syrup to glass and muddle. Add rum and pebble ice and swizzle (or stir). Add more ice & top with Angostura. Garnish with mint and lime.
Rum Hook
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Havana Club Cuban Smoky*
0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth
0.25 oz Maraschino Liqueur
1 bar spoon Campari
2 dashes Angostura
1 dash Orange bitters
Garnish: Boozy Cherry
Method:
Stir, strain & serve up. Garnish with a boozy cherry.
*If you don’t have a smoky rum, you can use any rum + a bar spoon of heavily peated Scotch
Missionary’s Downfall
Ingredients:
1.0 oz White Rum
0.5 oz Peach Schnapps
0.75 oz Fresh Lime
0.5 oz Honey Syrup
8-10 Mint Leaves
¼ cup Pineapple
Garnish: Mint & Pineapple
Method:
Blend with ice. Pour into a glass & garnish.
Mai Tai
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Rum
1.0 oz Fresh Lime
0.5 oz Orange Curaçao
0.5 oz Orgeat
Garnish: Mint
Method:
Shake, Strain over crushed ice, Garnish with a mint sprig.
Mojito
Ingredients:
2.0 oz Rum
1.0 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.75 oz Simple Syrup
2-3 oz Club Soda
Mint leaves
Garnish: Lime & Mint
Method:
Muddle Mint in glass, add all ingredients & ice. Stir gently & garnish.
Rum Sea Breeze
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Rum
3.0 oz Cranberry Juice
1.5 oz Grapefruit Juice
Garnish: Lime & Cherry
Method:
Build directly in the glass over ice. Stir & garnish.
