Make a Rum Runner

According to popular legend, the Rum Runner cocktail was invented at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada, Florida, the late 1950s. Regardless of its exact origins, since earning a place in the repertoire of the experienced mixologist, countless variations on the basic Rum Runner recipe have arisen. This article contains recipes for making a few of the most popular versions in both "frozen" and "on the rocks" forms. See Step 1 below to start making this delicious drink!

Ingredients

Original

  • 1 oz (30 mL) of pineapple juice
  • 1 oz (30 mL) of orange juice
  • 1 oz (30 mL) of blackberry liqueur
  • 1 oz (30 mL) of banana liqueur
  • 1 oz (30 mL) of light rum
  • 1 oz (30 mL) of dark rum or aged rum
  • Splash of grenadine

Fancy

  • 1/2 ounce (15 ml) Blackberry brandy
  • 1/2 ounce (15 ml) Banana liquor
  • 1/2 ounce (15 ml) Light rum
  • 1/2 ounce (15 ml) Spiced rum
  • Splash of orange juice
  • Splash of sweet & sour mix

Basic

  • 1 1/2 ounces (45 ml) Malibu rum
  • 1 oz (30 ml) Blackberry brandy
  • Splash of orange juice
  • Splash of pineapple juice
  • Splash of cranberry juice

Islamorada

  • 1 1/2 ounces (45 ml) White rum
  • 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) Banana liqueur
  • 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) Blackberry brandy
  • 1/2 teaspoon Grenadine
  • 5 ounces (150 ml) Sweet & sour mix

Holiday Isle

  • 7/8 ounce (25 ml) Blackberry brandy
  • 7/8 ounce (25 ml) Banana liqueur
  • 1/2 ounce (15 ml) Black rum
  • 1/2 ounce (15 ml) 151 proof rum
  • 5/8 ounce (18 ml) Grenadine
  • 1 ounce (30 ml) Lime juice

Steps

Frozen Rum Runner

  1. Add liquid ingredients and ice to a blender. Add roughly two cups of ice to a blender, food processor, or similar blending device. Next, pour the liquid ingredients over the ice. There are countless variations on the ingredient list of a basic Rum Runner - we've provided just a few in this article (see recipes above).
    • The Original Rum Runner is just what it sounds like - classic Rum Runner goodness. A delicious tropical staple drink.
    • The Fancy Rum Runner is all the rage among the smarter set. With highbrow ingredients like blackberry brandy and spiced rum, this drink is a cut above the rest.
    • The Basic Rum Runner is for the partygoer who wants a no-frills drink. With common, affordable ingredients, this variation delivers refreshment on a budget.
    • The Islamorada Rum Runner, named for the drink's town of origin, is a drink for those with a sweet tooth. Mostly sweet-and-sour mix by volume, this drink goes down smooth.
    • The Holiday Isle Rum Runner is extra-tasty and extra-strong. Incorporating 151-proof rum into the drink, this variation offers tropical flavor with a kick.
  2. Blend until smooth. Run the blender until the liquid ingredients and ice are blended to a smooth, "slushy" consistency. Try to avoid having large ice chunks.
  3. Serve. Traditionally, Rum Runners are served in Hurricane glasses, but if you don't have one, any sort of glass will work. Garnish with an orange slice or lemon slice.
  4. Optionally, add a Bacardi 151 floater. One popular Rum Runner tradition is to add a thin layer of Bacardi 151 on top of the drink. This highly alcoholic liquor floats above the blended ingredients and gives the drink a fiery initial "kick". To add a Bacardi "floater", carefully pour 1 oz (30 mL) of Bacardi 151 over the top of the finished drink.
    • Try not to pour the liquor all at once - it'll "break through" the top of the blended ingredients and give the entire drink a strong taste.

Rum Runner on the Rocks

  1. Fill a glass with ice. Toss a handful of ice cubes in a Hurricane glass - the more ice, the colder the drink. If you don't have a Hurricane glass, any sort of cocktail glass will work. Old Fashioned glasses look particularly great.
  2. Add the liquid ingredients. Add the liquid ingredients in sequence, pouring them over the ice. Gently mix the ingredients to combine. Alternatively, add the ice and and liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker, shake to combine, and pour into the glass. Again, there are countless variations on the ingredients in a Rum Runner - the recipes at the top of this article represent just a few possibilities. As a reminder, the recipes in this article are:
    • Original
    • Fancy
    • Basic
    • Islamorada
    • Holiday Isle
  3. Serve. Garnish with orange or lemon slice and serve with a straw.
  4. Optionally, add a Bacardi 151 floater. Like with the frozen version of the Rum Runner, it's not uncommon to add a Bacardi floater to the Rum Runner on the rocks. Do so in the same way - pour 1 oz (30 mL) of Bacardi 151 over the top of the completed drink.
    • Note that because the "on the rocks" version of the Rum Runner is liquid, rather than slushy, the Bacardi 151 will mix with the cocktail itself somewhat. If you don't want this, try pouring the Bacardi into the straw - this ensures that the first thing you taste is the Bacardi by itself and ensures that the Bacardi doesn't mix with the rest of the drink.

West Mac, Yak Runner

This runner can be made a few days ahead, then made up as needed at the beach or lake party.

  1. Add the following ingredients in large bucket:
    • 750 ml of blackberry brandy
    • 750 ml of 99 Bananas, banana liqueur
    • 750 ml of Bacardi light rum
    • 750 ml of Captain Morgan spiced rum
    • 750 ml of Malibu coconut rum.
  2. Mix all ingredients well. Pour back into the individual bottles. This way you have premixed Rum runners for that day at the lake.
  3. On the day of celebration, open a bottle. Mix on the rocks or add it to a blender. Top off and mix with orange juice and pineapple juice to taste, along with a splash of grenadine.

Tips

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