Rum Swizzle Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade Rum Swizzle, Bermuda's national cocktail! This easy tropical cocktail recipe balances dark and light rums with fresh citrus and aromatic bitters, swizzled to perfection with crushed ice for a refreshing island experience that's sure to transport you to paradise.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

Serves:

1 cocktail

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml dark rum</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml light rum (or gold rum)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml triple sec (or orange liqueur)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml pineapple juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml orange juice (freshly squeezed)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml fresh lime juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml grenadine</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 dashes Angostura bitters</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 dash Falernum (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Mint sprig, orange wheel, and cherry for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Crushed ice</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:

🔥 Calories:

🥑 Fat:

🧈 Saturated Fat:

🍞 Carbohydrates:

🍭 Sugar:

🍗 Protein:

🫀 Cholesterol:

🧂 Sodium:

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Swizzle stick (or bar spoon)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Collins glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Lewis bag and mallet (or alternative for crushed ice)</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Prepare your crushed ice by placing ice cubes in a Lewis bag (or clean kitchen towel) and hitting with a mallet until finely crushed. The finer the crush, the better your swizzle will blend and chill.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Fill your Collins glass about halfway with crushed ice. This creates the foundation for proper swizzling and ensures your drink stays cold throughout.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add both rums, triple sec, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine, bitters, and Falernum (if using) directly into the glass with ice. The order of adding ingredients isn't crucial as you'll be mixing thoroughly.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Insert your swizzle stick (or bar spoon) into the glass and place the handle between your palms. Roll the handle back and forth between your palms rapidly, causing the bottom of the stick to spin inside the drink. This traditional swizzling technique creates proper dilution and temperature while gently mixing the ingredients without disrupting their natural layering.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Continue swizzling for 10-15 seconds until the outside of the glass develops a frosty appearance. This visual cue indicates your cocktail has reached the perfect temperature and dilution.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Top up the glass with additional crushed ice, creating a mound above the rim. This dome of ice acts as insulation, keeping your drink colder longer in warm weather.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Garnish abundantly with a mint sprig (gently slap the mint between your palms first to release the aromatic oils), an orange wheel, and a cherry. These garnishes aren't just decorative—they contribute complementary aromas that enhance the drinking experience.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Serve immediately with a straw, as the drink will naturally separate into beautiful layers representing the various ingredients. The proper way to enjoy a Rum Swizzle is to first appreciate its appearance, then stir with the straw before drinking to combine the flavors.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Rum Swizzle?

The Rum Swizzle combines dark rum, light rum, triple sec, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine, Angostura bitters, and optional Falernum. It's garnished with mint, orange wheel, and cherry, then served over crushed ice.

How to make Rum Swizzle at home?

Learn how to make Rum Swizzle by filling a glass halfway with crushed ice, adding both rums, juices, and other ingredients, then using a swizzle stick (or bar spoon) between your palms to rapidly spin the mixture until the glass frosts over. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with mint, orange wheel and cherry for the authentic Bermudian experience.

What's the difference between swizzling and stirring a cocktail?

Swizzling involves rapidly spinning a textured stick between your palms to create friction and aeration, whereas stirring is a gentler technique. Swizzling creates more dilution, incorporates the ingredients thoroughly, and produces a distinctively frosty exterior on the glass.

Can I substitute the traditional swizzle stick with something else?

Yes, a bar spoon works well as an alternative to a traditional swizzle stick. In a pinch, you can also use a long fork or chopstick. The important technique is the rapid spinning motion between your palms to properly dilute and chill the cocktail.

What's the best dark rum to use in a tropical swizzle cocktail?

Gosling's Black Seal (Bermuda's own) is traditional, but Mount Gay Black Barrel, Appleton Estate, or Plantation Original Dark also work beautifully. Look for rums with molasses, caramel and spice notes that can stand up to the citrus juices.

Want to try something else in ...