Rum Runner - A Beautiful Mess

There’s nothing like a classic tropical cocktail and a Rum Runner is one of the best ones out there. This drink uses both light and dark rum as well as fruit flavored liqueurs to create a balanced sweet and strong cocktail.

More cocktail recipes: Mint Mojito, Pina Colada, Gimlet, Aperol Spritz, Blue Hawaiian, Appletini, Green Tea Shot.

As is common with tropical drinks, there are many variations of the Rum Runner recipe online. This recipe is tested and approved—it’s absolutely delicious and unique from other drinks in its category.

Ingredients

Light Rum – This drink is traditionally made using both light and dark rum.
Navy-Strength Rum – This refers to the higher proof of this dark rum.
Banana Liqueur – Such as Giffard Banane Du Bresil.
Blackberry Liqueur – I used Chambord.
Pineapple Juice – For added sweetness and fruit flavor.
Lime Juice – To balance your cocktail.
Grenadine – You can use store bought or make your own grenadine.
Pineapple Wedge – Optional garnish.
Maraschino Cherry – Optional garnish (I used these cherries).

What is a Rum Runner?

The Rum Runner cocktail recipe originated in the 1970s at Holiday Isle Tiki Bar on Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Many stories even trace the Rum Runner’s origin back as far as the 1950s. As legend has it, the bartender invented this drink simply by having an excess of rum and trying to use up ingredients on hand. Throwing random ingredients on hand into a blender, this recipe was born. The term “run runners” comes from bootleggers who smuggled alcohol during the Prohibition era. Earlier drinks are recorded by the same name, but the 1970s version is the one still widely used today.

The resulting drink is very strong tropical drink. The Rum Runner has been a popular bar staple ever since.

Directions

Begin with a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add both rums, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine to the cocktail shaker.

Shake for 10-15 seconds.

Strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry if you like. Enjoy!

Tips for Making

This drink has a lot of special ingredients, so substituting one or even two is fine if you need to. We recommend keeping the base of the two rums and more than one fruity liquor to balance the taste.
Almost any fresh fruit makes a good garnish for this drink, but the best options are pineapple, an orange slice, blackberries or maraschino cherries.
I used my favorite crystal rocks glasses to serve this drink. These glasses are useful for dozens of different cocktail recipes. Another popular choice is a hurricane glass.
You can substitute pineapple juice for orange juice for a little vitamin C.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Rum Runner made of?

A Rum Runner cocktail contains both light and dark navy-strength rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine syrup.

What is a Rum Runner person?

A rum runner is a person who transported alcohol during the Prohibition era.

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Yield 1 cocktail

Prep 5 minutes

Instructions

Begin with a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add both rums, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine to the cocktail shaker.
Shake for 10-15 seconds.
Pour the drink into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry if you like. Enjoy!

Notes

This drink has a lot of special ingredients, so substituting one or even two is fine if you need to. We recommend keeping the base of the two rums and more than one fruity liquor to balance the fruit juices.
Almost any fruit makes a good garnish for this drink, but the best options are pineapple, blackberries or maraschino cherries.
I used my favorite crystal rocks glasses to serve this drink. These glasses are useful for dozens of different cocktail recipes.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Rum Runner

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Rum Runner – A Beautiful Mess