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The classic Old Fashioned gets a tropical upgrade with dark rum stepping in for whiskey. We’ve spent countless evenings perfecting this variation, and the result is a sophisticated sipper that brings warmth and complexity to your glass. You’ll discover why rum deserves its moment in this timeless cocktail format.

A rum old fashioned garnished with orange peel and cherries sits in a glass on a wooden table, set against blurred greenery.

Watch 🎥 : How to Make an Old Fashioned with Rum

What Is a Rum Old Fashioned Cocktail?

A Rum Old Fashioned swaps the traditional whiskey for aged rum while maintaining the classic Old Fashioned’s core elements of sugar, bitters, and citrus oils. This variation emerged during the mid-20th century tiki era but has roots in the Caribbean, where rum reigned supreme long before bourbon became America’s spirit of choice.

A glass with a rum old fashioned with two cherries on a skewer sits on a wooden table near halved oranges and a brass tray with a small bottle, set against a background of green plants.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • SMOOTH – The dark rum brings natural caramel and vanilla notes that meld beautifully with the brown sugar, creating layers of flavor without added complexity.
  • CLASSIC – This version offers a gentler entry point to Old Fashioneds while maintaining the sophistication cocktail enthusiasts expect.

What You Need to Make a Rum Old Fashioned

  • Dark Rum: Select an aged rum with character – think Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Mount Gay XO for their rich profiles.
  • Brown Sugar: Raw demerara or turbinado sugar adds depth that white sugar simply can’t match.
  • Aromatic Bitters: Traditional Angostura works beautifully, though chocolate or orange bitters offer intriguing variations.
  • Orange Peel: A thick cut of fresh orange peel provides essential oils and aroma.

How to Make a Rum Old Fashioned

  1. Express the orange oils into your rocks glass by giving the peel a good twist over the glass.
  2. Add brown sugar and bitters, then gently muddle until the sugar begins to dissolve.
  3. Add one large ice cube – this controls dilution and maintains proper temperature.
  4. Pour rum over the ice and stir gently for 30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted
  • Hands squeeze an orange over a glass beside a decanter and container on a wooden table.
  • Dark bitters are poured from an ornate jar into a glass on a wooden table with a decanter of rum in the background.
  • A hand pours rum from a jigger over ice in a glass on a wooden table.
  • A hand stirs a rum old fashioned with ice in a glass using a spoon, while a decanter and lidded dish sit on a wooden surface.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • Tip 1: The quality of your rum matters significantly – avoid spiced or heavily sweetened varieties.
  • Tip 2: Don’t skip expressing the orange oils – they’re crucial for the aromatic experience.
  • Tip 3: Stir just until the outside of the glass feels properly chilled – over-stirring leads to excessive dilution.

How to Serve This Rum Old Fashioned

Serve in a heavy-bottomed rocks glass with one large cube. The orange peel should rest gently against the ice, releasing oils throughout the drinking experience.

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Rum Old Fashioned Recipe

A sophisticated twist on the classic Old Fashioned, featuring premium aged rum and brown sugar for rich complexity. This recipe delivers a perfectly balanced cocktail that honors tradition while introducing new depth.
Print Recipe
A glass of rum old fashioned cocktail with cherries and an orange peel on a skewer sits on a wooden surface, with two halved oranges in the background.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Total Time:5 minutes

Ingredients

  • Thick strip of orange peel
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 2-4 dashes bitters
  • 2 oz dark rum

Instructions

  • Squeeze the oils from the orange peel into a rocks glass and drop the peel into the glass.
  • Add the brown sugar and bitters.
  • Add a large ice cube to the glass and pour the rum over the ice. Stir.

Video

Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Kita

Recipe FAQs

What’s the best rum for an Old Fashioned?

Choose an aged rum with minimal additives. We recommend rums aged 8+ years for optimal complexity.

Can I substitute the brown sugar?

While simple syrup works, we strongly recommend sticking with brown sugar for its molasses notes that complement the rum.

Why aren’t there any muddled fruits in this recipe?

We prefer the clean, classic approach. The orange oils provide sufficient citrus notes without muddied fruit pulp.

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Award-winning cocktail maker, picture taker, content writer, editor, and all around imbiber behind the Libation Chronicles and a few other fun projects.

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