Rum Runner

The Rum Runner is a tropical and potent cocktail blending light and dark rums with banana and blackberry liqueurs, plus pineapple and orange juices and a splash of grenadine. It's known for its vibrant fruit-forward flavor and its deceptively strong alcoholic punch. As a quintessential vacation drink, it's perfect for sipping by the pool or on a beach. Its complex, layered fruitiness makes it a favorite for those who enjoy sweet and strong cocktails.
Rum Runner

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Rum Runner is a classic tiki-style cocktail, celebrated for its use of rum and tropical fruit flavors. It's often categorized alongside other potent, fruit-forward drinks popular in American "tiki" culture. It is considered a modern classic within this genre.

Serving

Served cold in a tall, curvy Hurricane glass, the Rum Runner is a visually appealing drink with a moderate-to-high alcohol content hidden by its fruity sweetness.
Serving size
240-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Hurricane
Glass treatment
Chilled glass (optional)

Backstory

Legend attributes its creation to John Ebert in the late 1970s at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada, Florida. The bar needed to clear out an excess of rum, banana liqueur, and blackberry brandy before new inventory arrived. Ebert mixed what he had on hand, and the resulting concoction was an instant hit with patrons. The name "Rum Runner" pays homage to the historical smugglers who illegally transported liquor in the Florida Keys.
Origin
Islamorada, Florida, USA, around the 1970s.

Rum Runner

The drink is consistently known as the Rum Runner. Occasionally, it is referred to by the name of its alleged birthplace, the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar, but this is uncommon. The original name is the most widely recognized and used.
Original name
Rum Runner
Alternative name
Holiday Isle Rum Runner

Characteristics overview

This is a sweet and sour tropical bomb with prominent fruit flavors and a smooth, juicy texture. Its vibrant color and refreshing character make it a perfect summer beverage.
Flavor
Fruity, tropical, sweet, banana, blackberry, pineapple, orange, rum
Aroma
Tropical fruit, sweet, banana, citrus
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Fruity, sweet, warming rum finish
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Reddish-pink, translucent, often layered
Texture
Smooth, juicy, light-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by intense fruitiness and sweetness, with a noticeable rum backbone providing warmth. There is a mild sourness to balance the sugar, but no bitterness, saltiness, or spice.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a well-stocked bar, featuring light and dark rums, banana and blackberry liqueurs, common fruit juices, and grenadine. An optional float of high-proof rum can be added for extra potency.
  • Light Rum30 ml / 1 oz
    A clean, crisp white rum from Puerto Rico or Cuba works well.
  • Dark Rum30 ml / 1 oz
    A Jamaican or Demerara rum adds depth and flavor.
  • Banana Liqueur30 ml / 1 oz
    Also known as Crème de Banane.
  • Blackberry Liqueur30 ml / 1 oz
    Also known as Crème de Mûre.
  • Pineapple Juice60 ml / 2 oz
    Freshly squeezed is best for a brighter flavor.
  • Orange Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Fresh juice provides a necessary tartness.
  • Grenadine15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Used for sweetness and its classic reddish color sink.
  • High-Proof Rum15 ml / 0.5 oz(optional)
    A float of 151-proof or overproof rum for an extra kick.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking and Crushed ice for serving

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard set of cocktail tools for this drink. A shaker, jigger, and strainer are essential for proper preparation.
  • Cocktail shaker to chill and mix ingredients
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions
  • Strainer to separate ice after shaking

Instructions

The method involves shaking most ingredients with ice, straining into a glass filled with crushed ice, and then artfully adding grenadine to sink and an optional rum float on top.
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with cubed ice.
2. Add the light rum, dark rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, pineapple juice, and orange juice to the shaker.
3. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the shaker is frosted and the contents are well-chilled.
4. Fill a large Hurricane or Poco Grande glass with crushed ice.
5. Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.
6. Slowly pour the grenadine into the drink; it will sink to the bottom creating a layered "sunrise" effect.
7. If using, gently pour the optional high-proof rum over the back of a spoon to float it on top.
8. Garnish with a pineapple wedge on the rim and/or an orange slice and cherry on a skewer.
9. Serve immediately with a straw.

Garnishing

A generous tropical garnish is key to the Rum Runner's presentation. An orange slice, pineapple wedge, and a bright red cherry are classic choices.
  • Orange slice and maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick
  • Pineapple wedge on the rim of the glass

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from most common allergens, including dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets, assuming a vegan-friendly grenadine is used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a high-calorie cocktail with significant carbohydrate and sugar content, primarily derived from the multiple liqueurs, juices, and grenadine.
Calories
Averagely 300-350 kcal / 1255-1464 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 30-35 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 28-33 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfectly suited for warm weather, casual gatherings, and festive events with a tropical or beach theme. Its refreshing and fun character makes it an ideal choice for poolside lounging and summer celebrations.
  • Beach Party
  • Summer BBQ
  • Vacation
  • Tropical Themed Party

Pairing suggestions

The sweet and fruity profile of the Rum Runner pairs exceptionally well with spicy, salty, or savory appetizers. Foods with a Caribbean or tropical flair, such as jerk chicken or coconut shrimp, create a classic and complementary pairing. The drink's sweetness cuts through spice while its fruitiness complements the flavors of island cuisine.
  • Coconut Shrimp
  • Jerk Chicken Wings
  • Spicy Fish Tacos
  • Fresh Fruit Platters

Rum Runner: The Tropical Treasure of the Florida Keys

The Rum Runner is a famously fruity and potent tiki cocktail from the Florida Keys. It expertly blends two types of rum with banana and blackberry liqueurs and tropical juices for a sweet, refreshing, and deceptive punch. Believed to be an invention to clear out excess inventory, it has since become a beloved vacation classic. It's the perfect drink for a sunny day, embodying the carefree spirit of a tropical getaway in a single glass.

Similar Cocktails

Bahama Mama

A similar tiki cocktail that often uses coffee liqueur and coconut rum, sharing a tropical, multi-rum base but with a different flavor profile.

Planter's Punch

Another classic dark rum punch that shares ingredients like fruit juice and grenadine, but typically includes Angostura bitters and has a spicier character.

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