20 best Overproof white rum cocktails

Words by Simon Difford

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Jamaica is literally the spiritual home of overproof white rum and accounts for over 90% of all rum consumed in the country. Its fruity esters and firepower add a distinctive funk to cocktails and it combines brilliantly with fruit juice – be that lime juice or something more exotic. Some of the following cocktails are from Jamaica, some are fruity, all feature that special funk.

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Beach Blonde
With: Overproof white rum, banana, advocaat and orange juice.
We say: Fruity holiday drinking with a satisfying creamy mouthfeel.

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Caribbean Sazerac
With: Overproof white rum, light white rum, blanc rhum agricole, grenadine syrup, falernum and orange bitters.
We say: A Caribbean inspired riff on the classic Sazerac cocktail.

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Coconut Rum Punch
With: Overproof white rum, coconut syrup, coconut water and lime juice.
We say: Coconut and rum with a splash of lime are a tried and tested flavour combos. In this case with the added punch of overproof funky Jamaican rum.

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Funky Pirate Daiquiri
With: Overproof white rum, navy rum, cinnamon schnapps, lime juice, grenadine syrup and chilled water.
We say: Why the name? Well, one of the rums has some 'funk', both rums are punchy and have nautical connections. The lime protects against scurvy, the cinnamon schnapps liqueur has gold flakes and grenadine is red as blood.

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Green Swizzle
With: White rum, overproof white rum, absinthe, falernum liqueur, crème de menthe and lime juice.
We say: Robustly flavoured ingredients brought together harmoniously in a tall, most refreshing swizzle. Worthy of its legendary status.

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In the August Sun
With: Overproof white rum, fino sherry, falernum liqueur, pineapple juice and cream of coconut.
We say: Looks like a Piña Colada and indeed tastes a lot like a Piña Colada but overproof rum, fino sherry and falernum ensure this is no ordinary Piña Colada.

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Kamaniwanalaya
With: White rum, amaretto, navy rum, overproof white rum, pineapple juice, lime juice and prosecco.
We say: Try saying the drinks name after a few of these rum laced, tropical pineapple concoctions.

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Nuclear Banana Daiquiri
With: Overproof white rum, Yellow Chartreuse liqueur, falernum liqueur, lime juice and banana.
We say: To quote our friends at Hawksmoor, where we discovered this delicious and indulgent cocktail, "Our take on a drink that doesn't take itself too seriously by the late, great Gregor de Gruyther. We've just added half a banana and blitzed it. Silly, but tasty."

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Nuclear Daiquiri
With: Overproof white rum, Green Chartreuse liqueur, lime juice and falernum.
We say: A great way to inflict mutually assured destruction, although there will be fallout the morning after.

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Passion Fruit Rum Punch
With: Passion fruit, overproof white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, passion fruit syrup and champagne.
We say: Rum and fruit combine in this punchy tropical style drink.

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Reggae Rum Punch
With: Overproof white rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine syrup and lime juice.
We say: This drink combines sweetness, strength and a generous amount of fruit.

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Rumba
With: Overproof white rum, dry gin, lime juice, sugar syrup, grenadine syrup and chilled water.
We say: To quote Embury, "Whoever thought up this snootful of liquid dynamite certainly liked his liquor hard."

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Rum Old Fashioned
With: Caribbean blended rum, overproof white rum, falernum liqueur, sugar syrup and aromatic bitters.
We say: The flavour of the overproof rum greatly adds to the character of this Old Fashioned.

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Rum Punch
With: Overproof white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, Aromatic bitters and chilled water.
We say: In Jamaica they like their rum overproof but many prefer this cocktail served over crushed ice to further dilute and tame this very strong spirit.

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Rum Punch-Up
With: Overproof white rum, lime juice, sugar syrup and aromatic bitters.
We say: Exactly what the name promises - a rum punch served straight-up.

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Rumshack Punch
With: Navy rum, overproof white rum, peach purée, peach schnapps, lime juice, pineapple juice and grenadine syrup.
We say: Funky rum interlaced with peach, pineapple, lime and pomegranate fruit. A monster but balanced.

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Shark's Tooth No.1 (Trader Vic's)
With: Overproof white rum, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar syrup, grenadine syrup and soda water.
We say: Pinky red in colour and heavily influenced by flavoursome overproof rum.

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Slow Comfortable Screw Against The Wall With A Bang
With: Vodka, overproof white rum, sloe gin, Southern whiskey liqueur, orange juice and Galliano.
We say: One of the better Sloe Comfortable Screw derivations - overproof rum provides the "Bang".

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Waters of Chaos
With: Genever, overproof white rum, Green Chartreuse liqueur, lime juice and sugar syrup.
We say: Robust flavours of overproof rum and Chartreuse combine with Dutch genever in this Last Word-like cocktail.

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White Water Ride
With: White rum, Acqua Bianca, overproof white rum and coconut water.
We say: Funky rum and coconut water enveloped in zesty orange, rose and faint minty freshness.

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