Fitness / August 8, 2023

Rum Runner Cocktail

Embrace the spirit of the tropics with the vibrant and flavorful Rum Runner cocktail, a beachside classic that’s rich with the flavors of rum, exotic fruit juices, and decadent liqueurs.

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The Rum Runner cocktail transports you straight to a sunny beach vacation with each swig. Picture yourself sprawled out on warm sand, the sounds of rolling waves for company, and that gorgeous sunset that only seems to exist on a beach somewhere. You’re swinging in a hammock tied between two palm trees, and you’ve got the cocktail of the hour in hand, the stupendous Rum Runner!

This mix is no joke, it’s got all your favorite things in one drink — rum, fruity juice, and some yummy liqueurs. It’s a treat, not just for your taste buds, but also for your soul. In other words, it’s therapy in a glass.

The Rum Runner might remind you of your other rum favorites — the ever-popular Mai Tai, the Pina Colada, or the Miami Vice cocktail. It’s got both light and dark rum but it’s got a cheeky twist — the addition of banana and blackberry liqueurs. Talk about putting the tropics in a glass!

INGREDIENTS

Like most tropical cocktails, this one is a healthy mix of booze and fruit juices. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 oz. dark rum
1 oz. light rum
0.5 oz. blackberry liqueur
0.5 oz. banana liqueur
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. pineapple juice
0.5 oz. grenadine
crushed ice
fruit for garnish (e.g. orange slice, pineapple wedge, or cherry – optional)

Bar Utensils

You’ll usually find this cocktail served in a highball or hurricane glass. Both are good choices, as they’re big enough to hold all that liquor, juice, and crushed ice.
Your favorite cocktail shaker will do, though you can use just the bottom part and give it a good stir (see ‘bar spoon’ below). With so many ingredients, it is important you mix it up sufficiently to create one smooth beverage with its own distinct taste.
If your cocktail shaker doesn’t come equipped with a strainer, you’ll need one. It’s a requirement when pouring your cocktail into the glass and leaving the ice behind in the shaker.
A slender bar spoon is a handy tool for stirring things up if you don’t want to go the shaking route.
To make a well-balanced Rum Runner, you must measure your ingredients accurately. A jigger will do just that.
A Rum Runner is best enjoyed with crushed ice. If you drink a lot of cool cocktails, invest in an ice crusher. It pretty much transforms your drinks. Otherwise, get in an arm workout by placing your ice cubes in a clean cloth and giving them a good whack with a meat tenderizer or mallet.

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix

Mix together the light and dark rum, banana and blackberry liqueurs, orange and pineapple juice, and grenadine in a mixing glass (or a cocktail shaker).

Shake/Stir

Add some ice to the mixing glass, and stir it (or shake) thoroughly until it’s well blended and chilled.

Serve

Fill a tall glass with crushed ice, strain the cocktail mix into the glass. Add more ice if needed. Garnish with some fruit, like an orange slice, pineapple chunk, or cherry.

How to Make a Healthy, Low-Calorie Rum Runner

TO reduce the calorie count, I first recommend to pick a lower-calories versions of dark and light rums. There are plenty of great options out there that still deliver the flavor and not the calories.
Use your own freshly squeezed oranges and pineapples. I think you should do that anyways to be honest, it tastes so much better and has the extra bonus of reducing the calories count.
Grenadine does add a lovely fruity note but it also packs a blast of sugar. My tip is to scale back a bit on the grenadine or swap it out for a homemade option with less sugar.
More ice, more fun! (Isn’t that how the saying goes?) It’ll make your cocktail last longer and won’t add any calories. Just don’t go overboard on the ice cubes, or you’ll end up with a watered-down cocktail.

Tips & Tricks to Make a Perfect Rum Runner Cocktail

It’s true what they say: “You are what you eat (and drink).” With that in mind, go for quality rum and liqueurs and use freshly squeezed fruit juices. The better the ingredients, the better the cocktail.
There are so many different types of rum out there, from white to aged to flavored. Each has its own character so go ahead and experiment and see which ones you prefer in your Rum Runner.
A Rum Runner, like most tropical cocktails, is best when it’s ice-cold. Chill the glass, juices, and even the rum before use. When everything is cold, the ice will stay frozen longer and won’t dilute your drink.
Shake the mixture for a good 20 seconds before pouring. You have a lot of ingredients in there, and you’ll want to make sure they’ve combined sufficiently before serving.
A tropical cocktail is pretty much naked without a garnish. Not to sound like a prude but get some clothes on it! Add the classic orange slice, pineapple chunk, or cherry, THEN maybe complement the look with an umbrella, a tropical flower, or even a tiny plastic flamingo.

FAQs

So, what’s the calorie count?

A classic Rum Runner Cocktail has 230-260 calories, thanks to the sugar in the fruit juices, liqueurs, and the rum (so pretty much ALL the ingredients). But with a few alterations you can lower that number to something you’re comfortable with. Cut out the grenadine, use fresh juices instead of the store-bought stuff, and stick with light rum. That should make your Rum Runner a less-guilty pleasure.

How do i drink my Rum Runner?

Take your time and savor it. Stick your straw into the high glass and sip away. The melting ice will dilute the mixture over time, and while this isn’t a great thing, it does make it easier to sip.

Can I make a Rum Runner even if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?

Absolutely! Grab any glass jar with a tight lid (a mason jar is a great substitute), add your ingredients, pop on the lid, and shake away. For ease of serving, you can also just stir the ingredients together in a mixing glass or a pitcher.

What’s the best kind of rum for a Rum Runner?

The classic recipe here has light and dark rum but there are so many different kinds of rum, so you can definitely experiment. For example, if you want a warm kick in a cold drink, try spiced rum instead of light or dark rum!

can i make a frozen rum runner?

If you have a blender, throw in your ingredients with a generous helping of ice and blend away until it turns into beautiful, alcoholic slushy.

Make Ahead and Store Your rum runner

You can whip up some Rum Runners ahead of time by adding all the ingredients (minus the ice) to a big pitcher or jug, then sticking it in the fridge for a couple of hours. It will make life easier once your guests arrive AND it will ensure your drinks are nicely chilled. When you’re ready to serve, just fill glasses with crushed ice, top with your chilled cocktail, and add the garnish.

When dealing with leftovers, take out any ice and store it in the fridge in a sealed container. It should keep for up to 3 days.