34 of the best rum cocktails in the world

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 12.5 ml Creme de Bananes liqueur
– 10 ml Noilly Prat
– 10 ml Palo Cortado sherry
– 3 drops of rosemary oil

Stir, strain and serve over ice.

Glass: Skyscraper coupette


Garnish: 3 drops of rosemary oil 

Inspiration

"Bocado is a legacy for the industry that has given me so much. It pays homage to those, past, present and future, who live this legacy: the creators, innovators and trailblazers. Bocado is a legacy built for an industry, by an industry."

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 20 ml Creme de Cacao white
– 20 ml MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino
– 20 ml fresh lime juice 
– 3 drops absinthe
– 3 drops saltwater (30% salt) 

Shake.

Glass: Coupette

Garnish: Lime twist

Inspiration

"This Wayfarer cocktail should be my ticket to the world. My education as a bartender took a long time and it was difficult, but I never surrendered. I am ready now to show the world what I can do by creating this cocktail, which has given me the opportunity to fly for the first time in my life, and of course participate for the first time in this great international competition." 

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 10 ml MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino
– 10 ml Amer Picon 
– 20 ml grenadine*
– 20 ml orange juice
– 10 ml lemon juice

Shake.

Glass: Highball


Garnish: Dried lemon wheel, orange peel, edible flower

Inspiration

"The Mr Dogma is like a great drink lost in time. It could have a recipe written on the back of a dusty old cocktail book over a century ago. This full bodied, bittersweet long drink with notes of red fruit & orange is our bar’s celebration of craft bartending and entrepreneurship; to be enjoyed in good company."

Ingredients 

– 60 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 15 ml MARTINI Rosso vermouth
– 15 ml MARTINI Bitter aperitif 
– 15 ml fresh lemon juice
– 15 ml simple syrup

Swizzle.

Glass: Collins


Garnish: Two fresh basil sprigs.

Inspiration

"In a world without borders, we are all immigrants. Today we see a lot of negative talk about immigration; El Imigrante showcases the great things that happen when two different cultures come together to celebrate diversity. By blending two different styles of cocktail culture from around the world to create something uniquely delicious, I bring life to the legacy of all immigrants."

Ingredients

– 60 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho 
– 30 ml orange juice
– 15 ml fresh lime juice 
– 15 ml grenadine
– 7.5 ml banana liqueur

Shake and fine strain.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Lime wheel.

Inspiration

"Séquito is Spanish for ‘entourage’ – the group of people that surround us, or in this case, community and family. The drink is a homage to the community of bartenders I am now fortunate to call friends. After watching my mentors go through their ‘Legacy’ experience, I thought now was the perfect occasion to share my story and help my community grow to become part of the BACARDÍ family."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 120 ml aguapanela (piloncillo juice)*
– 15 ml lemon juice 
– 3 dashes orange bitter


Shake.

Glass: Highball.


Garnish: Mint bouquet and lemon quarter.

Inspiration

"Papelon with lemon, or Aguapanela is a common drink in the Caribbean and in Venezuela. This was what I used to drink among my friends in La Guaira, the place where I grew up. Venezuela’s toughest gift was to force many of my childhood friends to leave the country searching for a better future, just like the Bacardí family when the Cuban Revolution forced them to leave their country with nothing. Pana Pana is an homage to my friends, to our culture and to our South American traditions." 

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 30 ml pomegranate cordial
– 10 drops fish sauce 
– ½ barspoon panden syrup 
– 2 drops celery bitters 

Stir and strain.

Glass: Nick & Nora.


Garnish: Nori.

Inspiration

"The robin is a symbol of bravery, vitality and great renown, and is a bird that we associate with the bat, representing good fortune, health and family unity. I was inspired to create El Cóctel del Petirrojo (the cocktail of the robin) to reflect my tenacity and legacy and to salute El Ron del Murciélago (the rum of the bat) – BACARDÍ - and its untameable history."

Ingredients 

– 60 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 15 whole coffee beans
– ¾ teaspoon brown sugar syrup*
– ¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
– Oloroso sherry mist
– 2 drops Islay whisky


Stir and serve over an ice ball.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Oloroso Sherry mist.

Inspiration

"Asere - a Cuban expression meaning friendship, camaraderie, and bonding - is a cocktail that is powerful enough to convey all of these emotions.  My cocktail reflects the essence of this industry and what it is to imbibe: the art of celebration. The cocktail seeks to highlight the wood-aged BACARDÍ ‘Ocho’ rum with an aroma of Oloroso sherry, bringing a hint of acidity from the balsamic vinegar and the aftertaste of fresh coffee."  

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 30 ml MARTINI Rosso Vermouth
– 30 ml MARTINI Bianco Vermouth, infused with dates
– 2 dashes chocolate bitters
– 2 dashes plum bitters


Stir and serve over ice.

Glass: Rocks glass.


Garnish: Medjool date.

Inspiration

"The Royal Legacy cocktail represents the legacy of a royal family. The tropical fruit base of BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho is complimented well with MARTINI Bianco Vermouth infused with dates. The cocktail enhances the blend of BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho and preserves its royalty of being one of the best rums the world has to offer."

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 15 ml Amaro
– 15 ml simple syrup 
– 10 ml lime juice
– 1 dash aromatic bitters
– Tonic water

Build.

Glass: Collins.


Garnish: Lime zest.

Inspiration

"Back in Black is a drink that represents evolution through hard work; ‘out of limitations, creativity blossoms’ - this drink is designed to be diverse and easy to make. Inspired by the legendary Cuba Libre, Back in Black reflects my personal journey starting off as a prep guy and still evolving as a bartender chasing a dream."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 5 ml Pedro Ximenez sherry
– 10 ml dry Fino sherry 
– 10 ml cinnamon syrup
– 1 dash chocolate bitters

Stir and serve over ice.

Glass: Rocks glass.


Garnish: Orange twist.

Inspiration

"Herencia is Spanish for ‘tradition’ or ‘legacy’ and this cocktail represents who I am, where I have come from and where I am going. My childhood was very rough; I came from a poor family and ended up on the streets with the wrong crowd, going down the path of drugs and crime. After a long road, saying goodbye to the streets and my old lifestyle, I found salvation in bartending and began chasing my dream to become one of the best. Like my drink, life is a mix of bitter, sweet and a solid base that makes you the person you are. You are your legacy, wherever in the future you may stand.  Bartending literally saved my life; that is what Herencia is all about."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Carta Oro rum
– 10 ml vanilla syrup
– 20 ml lime juice 
– ½  teaspoon truffle salt
– Champagne


Shake, double strain, top with champagne.

Glass: Coupette. 


Garnish: Lime twist (discard).

Inspiration

"To me, rum and champagne both represent celebration. In my cocktail I mix these with truffle salt to represent my city, Lyon, and vanilla to represent my roots in Madagascar. This cocktail is a tribute to my family, who in 1960 travelled to Europe looking for a better future."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 22 ml Verjus
– 5 ml orgeat syrup 
– 2 dashes pastis
– 50 ml soda water

Stir, strain and top with soda.

Glass: Short flute or coupette.


Garnish: Grated nutmeg.

Inspiration

"Amandita is inspired by a light French aperitif called a Mauresque, which traditionally combines orgeat, pastis and tap water. It represents the art of sharing a moment during a meal, between the giver and the receiver."

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho 
– 25 ml MARTINI Riserva Speciale Ambrato
– 7.5 ml MARTINI Riserva Speciale Bitter
– 5 ml D.O.M. Benedictine
– 4 dashes soy sauce


Stir. 

Glass: Double Old Fashioned.


Garnish: Lemon peel.

Inspiration 

"Semilla is Spanish for ‘seed.’ A seed has one purpose only: to grow, to ‘become.’ In order to do this it must be dropped in dirt and covered in darkness, then struggle to reach the light. To achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes; to someone who doesn't understand growth this would seem like complete destruction. But the seeds that you plant today, become the harvest that you'll reap tomorrow. And that will be your legacy."

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 15 ml MARTINI Bianco vermouth
– 10 ml Amaretto 
– 20 ml lemon juice
– 1 bar spoon caster sugar
– 3 slices (1cm) cucumber (seedless)


Shake.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Lemon twist.

Inspiration

"My cocktail Eternal Spirit is inspired by the people who never gave up, despite hard times and failures. Don Facundo was one of these people who persevered, eventually proving his mettle and leaving a legacy. Life is an opportunity; it is not just about who wins, but who overcomes their limitations, working until their best is better."

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 30 ml Irish Stout (Beamish)
– 10 ml coffee liquer 
– 10 ml PX sherry
– 4 dashes Xocolati Mole bitters


Shake and throw.

Glass: Nick and Nora.


Garnish: Fresh mint.

Inspiration

"'A hug from Mary' is a hospitality ritual among the bartenders of Cork. Mary is owner, bartender & host of the oldest family pub in Cork - The Castle Inn. The Castle has no television, Wi-Fi or phones; the only noise you can hear is chatting amongst friends. When you are served a cold drink by Mary it is the perfect welcome. I also grew up working in a family pub and understand the importance of tradition. My Hug from Mary cocktail reflects flavours found in any Irish bar, my bartending career, a salute to Irish bartenders and, of course, Mary!"

Ingredients 

– 60 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 30 ml orange and red wine syrup*
– 22.5 ml lime juice 
– 10 ml dry vermouth (preferably Noilly Prat)
– 15 ml aquafaba
– 2 dashes aromatic bitters


Shake and double strain.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Orange peel.

Inspiration

"Back to Basics is all about the simple things in life, the things that make me happy and keep me motivated through hard and busy times. I tried to capture memories and the people that affected me and made me who I am today - my friends, family and my partner in life. One of the things that really motivates me is the desire to take care of our planet. I put a lot of sustainable thinking into my cocktail, I believe we can all take care of our planet by maximising our products and extending their lifetime. My agenda is to help to create a better world and a greener future."

Ingredients 

– 60 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 25 ml lime juice
– 15 ml sugar syrup 
– 2 drops Worcestershire sauce 
– 5-6 basil leaves 
– 50 ml MARTINI prosecco


Shake, double strain, top with prosecco.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Basil.

Inspiration

"Adelante is not just a cocktail, it is a universal symbol of never giving up. It represents that moment that we have all experienced, when failure happens and you have to react and restart. You have to go on!
 This drink is inspired by the great Old Cuban cocktail, created at the beginning of the 2000s by Audrey Saunders in New York. It is a modern and sparkling vision of a classic Cuban drink, with an Italian touch." 

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 40 ml MARTINI Asti Spumante
– 30 ml espresso 
– 15 ml muscovado syrup
– 8 mint leaves


Shake, double strain and top with MARTINI Asti Spumante.

Glass: Brandy snifter.


Garnish: Coffee powder.

Inspiration

"This is a cocktail which connects the past, present and future. 8 (hachi / ocho) is a lucky number for Japanese people, meaning continuity, eternity and infinity and it features throughout Japanese history and culture. When written in Japanese characters, it spreads widely at the bottom, which is a sign of prosperity. Honouring the perseverance of seven generations of the Bacardí family through hardships and disasters to the current eighth generation, whilst embracing the meaning of 8 to the Japanese, Tales of 8 (Ocho) aims to celebrate this spirit of continuity, eternity, infinity and ultimate prosperity."

Ingredients 

– 60 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 5 ml lemon oleo saccharum
– 5 ml Italian bitter aperitif 
– 5 ml MARTINI Extra Dry vermouth


Stir.

Glass: Goblet.


Garnish: Hibiscus pickled onion.

Inspiration

"The inspiration comes from something I learnt in New Orleans when I first became a bartender. Devil Woman is s new twist on a classic Gibson Martini."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 5 ml Yellow Chartreuse
– 30 ml greek yoghurt
– 20 ml vanilla syrup 
– 10 ml lemon juice

Shake, serve over large ice cube.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Grated nutmeg.

Inspiration

"'Te tengo cariño’ is a term of love and endearment. It alludes to the love we have for our fellow man, that you are your brother or sister’s keeper.  Love and support doesn’t always come from familiar faces, sometimes strangers can take you to higher places."

Ingredients 

– 40 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 10 ml dry vermouth
– 10 ml Pomme Verte
– 10 ml Umeshu Japanese plum wine
– 5 ml absinthe (rinsed on the glass)

Stir.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Lemon cheek.

Inspiration

"La Familia #2 is inspired by the love of family and celebrates the BACARDÍ Legacy ‘La Gran Familia.’"

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho 
– 7.5 ml Amarretto
– 5 ml (1 barspoon) Branca Menta 
– 20 ml fresh lemon juice
– 15 ml honey syrup

Shake & double strain.

Glass: Nick & Nora.


Garnish: Lemon zest.

Inspiration

"El Lingüista means ‘the linguist.’ This cocktail is inspired by how communication leads to understanding, and how this profoundly influences us as human beings. Studying language – our principle means of communication - is the first step on the path to change."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 20 ml coconut water syrup*
– 20 ml lime juice 
– 1 barspoon coconut yoghurt 
– 3 dashes eucalyptus essence 

Shake.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Eucalyptus essence and eucalyptus leaves.

Inspiration

"Equilibrium is a tribute to the resistance, determination, resilience & emotional equilibrium of Don Facundo - and also to my grandfather, who never gave up."

Ingredients 

– 20 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 20 ml BACARDÍ Carta Oro rum
– 20 ml D.O.M. Benedictine
– 20 ml lemon juice


Shake.

Glass: Nick & Nora.


Garnish: Lemon peel twist.

Inspiration

"Golden Eight is inspired by the hardships and challenges along my journey as a bartender and the untameable spirit of BACARDÍ rum. I am pursuing my belief with passion and determination; innovating a new category of rum cocktail with no homemade ingredients."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 20 ml lime juice
– 20 ml pineapple juice
– 5 ml banana syrup
– 20 ml pineapple & clove syrup*
– MARTINI prosecco 


Shake, double strain, top with prosecco.

Glass: Coupette.


No garnish.

Inspiration

"1300 Millas is the distance between New York and La Habana and represents the distance between the cocktail epicentre and Cuba, the Bacardi homeland."

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 15 ml Noilly Prat
– 12.5 ml Creme de Cacao Blanc 
– 3 dashes Peychaud Bitters
– 1 dash salt solution


Stir all ingredients except bitters. Strain over an ice block, gently dash with bitters to create a layer. 


Glass: Rocks glass
.

Garnish: Lemon zest (discard).

Inspiration

"Theobroma is my recipe for friendship; I have always seen BACARDÍ as a brand that brings people together. 
Theobroma is a Latin term originating from the famous Swedish botanist and doctor, Carl von Linné. In one of his travels he came across the cocoa tree and named it ‘Theobroma Cocoa,’ which means ‘food of the gods.’ Rum and chocolate – the essence of Theobroma - are two of the great things in life that friends enjoy together." 

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 20 ml espresso coffee (Etno)
– 10 ml vanilla brown sugar cane syrup 
– ½ bar spoon Crèma con Aceto Balsamico
– Tonic water (Schweppes Premium)


Shake, top with tonic water.

Glass: Highball.


Garnish: Orange zest.

Inspiration

"Las Raices is Spanish for ‘roots.’ I consider my roots to have been shaped not only by my parents in my home country of Poland, but also by my journey through life. I have lived in Spain, England, Poland and now Switzerland; these places, every new person I have met and each new skill I have learnt has shaped who I am now. Being deeply attached to your roots does not mean standing in one place. Each ingredient in this cocktail relates to something important to my still-evolving story and connects it with the ever-evolving history of BACARDÍ rum."

Ingredients

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 10 ml banana liqueur
– 25 ml coconut water 
– 1 barspoon almond syrup
– 1 barspoon dry sherry
– 5 dashes Islay whisky


Stir.

Glass: Rocks glass.


Garnish: Dried banana chip.

Inspiration

"Nostalgia is inspired by the tastes of my childhood and the memories that remain today. The bitter taste of medicine when we were sick, the taste of lollipops or our favourite fruits; these each evoke childhood memories and feelings from when they were first experienced. For me, my strongest memories are the delicious tastes from food and drink that would eventually pave the career I have today. Nostalgia awakens beautiful memories and inspires my creative and positive actions today. Nostalgia reminds me of the joyful moments of my childhood."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho 
– 15 ml Italian Amaro
– 20 ml black banana puree
– 25 ml mango juice
– 45 ml pineapple juice 
– 30 ml sweet & sour mix


Shake.

Glass: Tiki mug.


Garnish: Pineapple leaves, lime shell.

Inspiration

"I love this industry, but our generation is now in danger of creating our own extinction and if we don’t act upon this, we will soon reach the point of no return. 45% of global food production is wasted, so Superhero can be made using sustainable products; black bananas, over ripe mango and sweet pineapple puree – steps we can all take to make an effort towards reducing food wastage. Superhero shares the revolutionary spirit of Emilio Bacardi, fighting for what is right and changing the world, one cocktail at a time."

Ingredients 

– 50 ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum
– 20 ml MARTINI Riserva Speciale Ambrato
– 20 ml fresh lemon juice 
– 20 ml simple syrup
– 3 dashes celery bitters
– 3 spritzes Islay whisky


Shake & double strain.

Glass: Nick & Nora


Garnish: Islay whisky, two spritzes on top of glass, one on side.

Inspiration

"The Queen Street Cocktail is, firstly, a tribute to the street where I work. This street in Edinburgh, which is world-renowned, is where many generations of industry greats have established themselves, enabling them to leave their mark within the industry. The Queen Street Cocktail also represents three principals that I went through to become the bartender that I am today: education, collaboration and innovation. Following these principles allowed me to grow as a bartender and they can be applied across all aspects of this industry."

Ingredients 

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho
– 15 ml coffee liqueur
– 15 ml Amaro Montenegro 
– 15 ml pineapple juice
– 1 lemon wedge (muddled)


Thrown.

Glass: Double Old Fashioned.


Garnish: Lemon peel.

Inspiration

"This cocktail is inspired by home, family and whatever the future may hold. Poderoso is the Spanish word for mighty and powerful; its definition is ‘having an abundance of ability.’ One succeeds by facing any challenge with the spirit of not giving up. The name is inspired by my brother, Will, as he is also in the hospitality industry and has surpassed my wildest dreams. He is the living example of my legacy."

Ingredients

– 45 ml BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho 
– 7.5 ml St Elizabeth Allspice Dram
– 30 ml toasted coconut syrup
– 20 ml lime juice

Shake, double strain.

Glass: Coupette.


Garnish: Lightly dusted cinnamon.

Inspiration

"My mother would always remind me of my island roots; we left St. Thomas and Coki Beach just before Hurricane Hugo. We settled in Washington, DC. - a new place in which to build new lives whilst holding on to our Island roots - like the Bacardí family, when they were forced out of Cuba and settled in Puerto Rico. Leaving the islands taught me a crucial early lesson for success in any aspect of life: you must draw strength from your roots, and never fear embracing new experiences and ways of thinking to overcome the unforeseen obstacles that lie ahead. That is what the Bacardí family has done for over 150 years and what Coki Beach means to me."