11 Easy, Cheap Rum Drinks That Mix up in Minutes

Mojito cocktail with lime and mint in glass — Anjelika Gretskaia / Getty Images

When you're looking for a cheap and easy drink to mix up, rum is the perfect base spirit. There are many great rum drinks that require just a few common ingredients, most of which are probably already stocked in your home bar.

Rum is also an incredibly versatile and affordable liquor. These recipes may be simple, inexpensive, and quick, but they are certainly not boring. They're filled with flavor and span the spectrum of cocktails, from tall fruity drinks to piping hot winter cocktails.

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El Presidente

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A quick and easy tropical cocktail, El Presidente is the perfect option when you don't have the time for complex tiki drinks. It has a delicate sweetness and looks quite fancy, despite its simplicity.

Choose your favorite light rum for this drink, then add orange curaçao and dry vermouth. The recipe adds grenadine, giving the cocktail its beautiful blush color and just a hint of sweetness.

A Guide to Popular Brands of Rum
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Nevada Cocktail

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You will need just five ingredients to mix up the Nevada cocktail. However, a bottle of bitters should be in your bar and sugar in the kitchen, so those really don't count.

This tart and fruity cocktail is a true delight and it is a fantastic sipper for the hot days of summer. A good rum, fresh grapefruit, and lime juices, and a little sugar to offset the tartness are all you'll need to pull off this high-class cocktail.
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Lounge Lizard

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The rum and Coke is one of the easiest rum mixed drinks and it remains a favorite. When you're ready to mix up your routine, think about adding lime for a Cuba libre or go the sultry, smooth route with a lounge lizard.

The lounge lizard is a blast from the past and this retro drink adds one common ingredient to the rum and cola duo. A simple shot of amaretto gives an icon of happy hour a taste that is both familiar and unique.
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Bishop Cocktail

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Do you have a red wine that needs a little doctoring up? The classic bishop cocktail is the perfect recipe that can fix any sub-par vino.

The recipe is simple and nothing more than enhancing a shot of your favorite rum with wine and adding a little sweet and sour until a nice balance is found. Any red wine will do and this is a great way to use up leftover or otherwise undrinkable wine.

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Cafe Caribbean

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When you want to liven up the average cup of coffee, the Cafe Caribbean is an excellent way to go. It's a perfectly simple coffee cocktail that is sure to please.

The recipe is as easy as adding a shot of rum and half a shot of amaretto to your favorite brew. If you want to get fancy, treat yourself to a topping of whipped cream and shaved almonds.
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Easy Rum Eggnog

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When it comes to classic rum cocktails, none hold a candle to eggnog. Widely thought to have originated in medieval England, the drink became especially popular in America. Rum was a key ingredient, being distilled in the colonies—and, at one time, rum was New England's most prosperous industry. George Washington famously had his own favorite eggnog recipe, with rum featuring predominantly. (Hint: it was strong.)

This classic recipe is as traditional as it gets: rum, port wine, egg, simple syrup, and nutmeg. Aside from the rum and port—which will last you a while—the other ingredients are affordable, and this drink is quick to shake up.
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Grand Rum Toddy

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Rum is a perfect base for the popular hot toddy, adding both the booze and the sweetness that the drink needs. It's warm and comforting, just what you want on a cold winter day.

The grand rum toddy takes that simple hot cocktail to another level. The recipe adds citrus with an orange liqueur and a hint of lime. Once the hot water is poured, the aroma opens up and leaves you with one of the most soothing drinks you can make.
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Dulce de Leche

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Rum can also be used to create delicious dessert-worthy cocktails. Within this category, the dulce de leche is one of the easiest recipes around.

You may have to splurge on a good dark chocolate liqueur, but once that is in hand the drink mixes up quickly. This creamy cocktail uses sweetened condensed milk and a pinch of cinnamon rounds off the flavor perfectly.

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Belladonna

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When you want a tall, refreshing, and fruity rum drink, turn to the belladonna. It's incredibly easy to mix up and requires five common ingredients, all poured in equal amounts, so there's no guesswork.

The recipe requires both a dark and light rum, but if you only have one bottle in stock you can always double up on it. To that, you'll add orange, cranberry, and pineapple juices, giving you an ideal fruity mix.
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Rum and Dew

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Looking for a tall soda drink that's lighter than the rum and Coke? Mix up a rum and dew and enjoy the sweet, refreshing flavor of sparkling citrus. If you like a vodka screwdriver, you'll dig this recipe.

The drink is built right in the glass over ice, so it takes just a minute or two to prepare. You'll begin with a shot of spiced rum, add orange juice, then top it off with Mountain Dew. It's fantastic and may become a new favorite.

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Pineapple Mojito

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Contrary to popular belief, it's not at all difficult to make a great tasting mojito. There are many ways you can add a twist to the rum-mint drink and it's often as simple as tossing in an extra fruit.

You might add raspberries to your mojito or go with this pineapple mojito recipe. It has everything you love about the original, it simply adds both fresh and juiced pineapple. It's definitely a great way to shake up a routine.

Virgin Piña Colada

11 Easy and Cheap Rum Drink Recipes