Rum has been a staple ingredient for home liquor cabinets and bars since the 17th century. Known as the “noble spirit,” global spirit, and the oldest commercially produced spirit, it not only tastes fantastic, but it can decrease cholesterol in the body and give you a healthier heart (when drunk in moderation, of course). Whether summer or winter, rum seems to have an option for every season. Rum lovers run to the spirit for the warm, rich, and smooth, soothing taste of dark rum and the light, the crisp and breezy taste of white rum. So, it’s only natural that it pairs so well with almost every flavour. Cocktails made with rum stand out unlike any others because the flavour pairings seem to perfectly complement each other, a true match made in heaven. Now, we know the classics are the classics for a reason, but for those who might feel stuck in a rum rut and want a taste of something new, we’ve compiled five delicious rum cocktails with a tasty twist on the classics.

The Papa Doble Peach Daiquiri

Affectionately named after Ernest Hemingway, who was such a fan of the earlier, purer form of the drink (essentially a daiquiri without sugar, a splash of lime and heavy on the rum), they called him Papa during his years in Cuba. A true classic for spiced rum, this twist tributes Hemingway perfectly in that it is extra strong, robust, and very likely to have you speaking like a 20th-century novelist.

Ingredients:

2 oz rum Spiced Rum

¾ oz lime juice fresh squeezed

½ oz grapefruit juice fresh squeezed

½ oz maraschino liqueur

¾ oz peach liqueur

Basil-Cucumber Mojito

I love mojitos, but sometimes I just can’t stand the taste of mint. This alternative is a refreshing substitute that gives a crisp and effervescent taste that is so light it will be a challenge just stopping at one. Cool off with this delicious low-calorie, low-carb drink.

Ingredients:

6-8 fresh basil leaves (plus garnish)

1 lime (half juiced, and half cut into wedges)

Lebanese cucumber sliced

½ oz agave syrup

2 oz white rum

Soda water

California Surfer

The California Surfer is colloquially known as the Surfer-on-acid cocktail. Aptly named due to its twist on the party drink the Jäger Bomb, it is an incredibly simple drink and one of the most popular Jägermeister recipes. It can be served deconstructed as a shooter or mixed on the rocks or in a cocktail glass. It is simple to remember the ratio as it is the same for all three ingredients, making it a great party drink when it’s late-night, supplies are getting low, and everyone is already surfing the wave. The California surfer varies from the Jäger Bomb in that it tastes nice. Get the incredibly easy tropical recipe below.

Ingredients:

1 oz ​coconut rum

1 oz ​Jägermeister

1 oz pineapple juice

Dark & Stormy

I highly recommend adding Illegal Tender Rum Co Bushtucker Spiced to your collection for those of you rum connoisseurs looking to spice up the classics. Made right here in Western Australia, a few hours north of Perth, this is unlike any rum you’ve ever tasted. What makes this choice unique is that they use dark brown cane sugar rather than using molasses by-product. This makes for a taste unlike any other, and the quality this gives every cocktail is insane. I strongly recommend any rum aficionados. Check out the range and experience it for yourself.

Now, I know Dark & Stormy’s aren’t particularly new, but by adding Illegal Rum Co’s Bushtucker Spice into this cocktail you are guaranteed to get a flavour profile you have never tasted before. This will make the classic feel known again and will quickly become a nightly favourite.

Ingredients:

2 oz. Illegal Rum Co’s Bushtucker Spice

3 oz. ginger beer

½ oz. lime juice (optional)

The Cable Car Cocktail

The cable car cocktail was invented by Tony Abou-Ganim between the cable car tracks near the infamous Starlight Room in San Francisco. This is a well-known sour cocktail that combines spiced rum and lemon sour in equal parts. The two cancel each other out, and the sour mix comprises basic syrup. Both that and the curacao, there's a good sugar that brings the drink together perfectly. Perfect for any occasion, this rum cocktail is a versatile and flavourful drink. It will warm you up after a hard day at work or cool you off after a hot day in the sun.

Ingredients

1 ½ oz Spiced Rum

¾ oz Orange Curacao

1 ½ oz ​lemon sour* (recipe below)

Garnish: orange peel spiral

Garnish: superfine sugar for rimming