Queen Bee Mixology

Rum Old Fashioned

Diamonds

Looking for a bold, flavorful twist on a timeless classic? The Rum Old Fashioned is a fresh take that swaps bourbon for dark rum, transforming the familiar into something rich, smooth, and entirely its own.

At Queen Bee Mixology, we’re all about reinventing the classics, and this Rum Old Fashioned delivers with its deep caramel notes, balanced sweetness, and clever use of orange and angostura bitters.

It’s a cocktail that takes the simplicity of the classic Old Fashioned and gives it a new personality—perfect for anyone who loves rum or just wants to try something different.

So, set aside the bourbon for now and grab your favorite dark rum. This reimagined Old Fashioned is ready to take its place in your cocktail lineup, offering a smooth, satisfying sip that’s as exciting as it is familiar.

(P.S. Looking for other dark rum cocktails? I’ve got plenty here.)

While there are pros and cons to both purism and innovation, I believe the best way forward is to learn how to strike a balance. We have to remember and respect the origin of things while also expanding on them.

If we don’t maintain some traditions, we lose the history and things like the classic Old Fashioned would be lost.

If we don’t grow, learn, adapt, or push the envelope, many wonderful things wouldn’t exist today, like fusion cuisine, peanut butter whiskey or this dreamy Rum Old Fashioned.

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Step 1: Add the rum, demerara syrup, allspice dram and both bitters into an Old Fashioned glass.

What are bitters? Bitters are a common ingredient used in many different recipes– but what purpose do they actually serve?

Well, bitters is alcohol that’s infused with different botanicals to create a bitter or bittersweet flavor. They are added to cocktails to create a more complex flavor profile– balancing out the taste of your sip.

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Step 2: Then carefully place a large ice ball in your glass.

Why use an ice sphere? There are a few reasons behind using a round ice ball as opposed to normal ice in your Old Fashioned.

  1. The shape of the ice allows for slower melt. This makes for a less diluted drink.
  2. Spheres have the least amount of surface area than any other ice. Allowing for more volume of ice in your drink– meaning your drink is chilled at a slower rate with less water in the cocktail.
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Step 3: Stir until well-chilled and garnish with an orange peel laced with cherries.

And we’re expanding on more than just the Old Fashioned recipe with this one! Rum oftentimes feels tied to fruity, tropical drinks that are sweet and not as spirit forward as I sometimes like my drinks to be. This cocktail recipe does away with any notion that rum is a one-trick pony.

A nice oaky dark rum blends perfectly with the slight toffee flavor of the demerara syrup and the hint of orange brightens it all up.⁠ There’s no place to hide here, so be sure to select a dark rum you wouldn’t mind sipping neat.⁠

Rum Old Fashioned

Underline

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. —  Dark Rum
  • 0.5 oz. —  Allspice Dram
  • 1 Teaspoon —  Demerara Syrup
  • 2 Dashes —  Orange Bitters
  • 2 Dashes —  Angostura Bitters

Instructions

  1. Step 1 – Add the rum, demerara syrup, allspice dram and both bitters into an Old Fashioned glass.
  2. Step 2 – Then carefully place a large ice ball in your glass.
  3. Step 3 – Stir until well-chilled and garnish with an orange peel laced with cherries.
Tags: Dark Rum, Rum, Bold, Rich

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