Rum Old Fashioned cocktail recipe

Substitute bourbon whiskey for dark rum, and voilà! You get this simple twist on the iconic Old Fashioned cocktail. Just like the OG, it’s quick, easy and requires just three ingredients, while being perfectly balanced and oozing class when well executed.

The origins of the traditional Old Fashioned date back to the earliest days of cocktail history. Emerging in the early 1800s, it followed the classic formula of the era: a spirit, a little sugar, a bit of water and bitters. Over the course of the century, it picked up popularity as a favourite drink for well-to-do young men, gaining wider appeal throughout the 20th century before fading with the rise of gin and vodka cocktails. With the resurgence of classic cocktails in recent times, the Old Fashioned has risen back to the top, and it is now considered a staple in the cocktail arsenal.

If you’re a rum fan, you’ll love this new excuse to use your favourite spirit. And likewise if you’re a die-hard Old Fashioned drinker, experimenting with your recipe may yield surprisingly pleasing results. After all, variety is the spice of life.

Just as bourbon is the showcase in a traditional Old Fashioned, rum is the star of the show here, so it’s worth using a quality option or, more importantly, one you enjoy sipping. 

How do you achieve the perfect orange twist? You’ll need a vegetable peeler as well as a sharp knife. First, hold the orange with your non-dominant hand, and carefully apply even pressure as you slowly move your peeler across the surface. The consistent pressure is key to getting a slice of peel with a uniform thickness. Then, trim the edges with your knife to create a slice about two centimetres thick. Cut a small slit lengthwise in the centre, before wrapping the peel around a chopstick or straw to create a twist. Remove, and it should hold its shape. Place it on the rim of your glass, using the slit you created to keep it there snugly.

And for the ultimate Rum Old Fashioned sipping experience, we recommend pouring your cocktail over a large round ice cube. Not only do the balls of ice look visually appealing in a glass, they also melt slower than the average small ice cube, minimising dilution.