Rum and Coke
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Simple, cold, and perfectly balanced, a Rum and Coke is one of those cocktails that never tries to be more than it is… and that’s exactly why it works. Crisp cola, clean rum, plenty of ice, and a squeeze of fresh lime to pull it all together. Fast to make, easy to drink, and always dependable.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS COKE AND RUM COCKTAIL
- Two minutes, no tools, no thinking
- Refreshing and easy to sip
- Familiar but never boring
- Lime makes all the difference
- Works anywhere, anytime
Rum and Coke
This one’s a classic for a reason. No gimmicks. No upgrades required. Just a solid drink that does its job.
Chad makes this rum and coke recipe when someone wants a cocktail but doesn’t want a production. It’s cold, it’s balanced, and it’s immediately recognizable. The kind of drink you don’t have to explain.
The key is restraint. Enough rum to taste it, enough cola to keep things refreshing, and a quick squeeze of lime to wake everything up. That’s it. When it’s done right, you don’t mess with it.
And if you love this rum and coke cocktail, you are going to go crazy for my Jack’s Tennessee Sweet Tea. It’s amazing on a hot day!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Light Rum: Clean and smooth is the goal here. This drink doesn’t hide flaws.
- Cola: Freshly opened matters! Flat cola kills the whole thing.
- Lime Wedge: Not optional. Even a small squeeze changes the drink.
CHAD’S RULE OF THUMB
Despite this being a popular rail drink (AKA well drink), quality matters. If the rum tastes good over ice with just a squeeze of lime, it will make a great Rum and Coke. If it doesn’t, the cola won’t fix it.
SOLID, NO-ARGUMENT PICKS
These are reliable, widely available rums that behave exactly how you want in a Coke and rum cocktail:
- Bacardi Superior: Clean, dry, and neutral. This is the baseline standard.
- Flor de Caña Extra Seco 4 Year: Slightly drier, very smooth, excellent balance with cola.
- Cruzan Light Rum: Soft and easy, especially good if you like a gentler finish.
STEP-UP OPTIONS (CONNOISSEUR APPROVED)
If you want more character without overpowering the drink:
- Havana Club Añejo Blanco: Cleaner, brighter, and more expressive with lime.
- Plantation 3 Stars: Slightly richer mouthfeel with a dry finish that still plays well with cola.
- Appleton Estate Signature: Not a light rum, but excellent if you like a deeper, Jamaican-style profile.
These keep a rum and coke cocktail familiar but noticeably better.
VARIATIONS
Cuba Libre: Use a fuller squeeze of lime for a brighter finish.
Dark Rum: Creates a richer, warmer flavor if that’s your preference.
Lighter Pour: Add more ice and cola for an easy sipper.
Cherry Cola: For a subtle sweetness that still works.
Cola Upgrade: Real sugar versions tend to taste cleaner than those with artificial sweeteners.
WHEN TO SERVE IT
- Casual evenings
- Backyard hangouts
- Before dinner
- When someone says, “just something easy”
- Any time you don’t want to overthink a drink
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- This rum and cola drink pairs well with salty snacks or grilled food.
- Serve immediately while the bubbles are at full blast.
- Pair with bar food favorites like pretzel bites, wings, or chips and guac.
- Great for casual nights, cookouts, or last-minute guests.
RUM AND COKE RECIPE FAQ
Very close! A Cuba Libre typically has more lime juice, while a Rum and Coke comes with a lime garnish.
No. Cola loses carbonation quickly, so it’s best to build the drink fresh.
Yes. Clean rum makes a cleaner drink. If you wouldn’t drink it alone, don’t use it here.
A 1:2 pour creates the best balance… not too sweet, but not too harsh. For those who prefer a lighter rum coke cocktail, a 1:3 pour may be better.
This drink works because it’s simple, not because it’s careless. Rum brings alcohol and subtle sweetness, cola brings sugar and carbonation, and lime tightens the whole thing up.
Ice controls dilution, so it stays refreshing instead of syrupy. When built correctly, nothing dominates and nothing gets lost.
That’s why brand choice matters here… there’s nowhere to hide. Clean rum in, clean drink out.
CHAD’S PRO TIPS
- Stick with quality ingredients. Clean rum + real sugar cola = perfection.
- Play with ratios to find your favorite. Maybe more cola, maybe more lime juice!
- Use plenty of ice. Dilution is a part of the balance.
- Make each drink fresh so it doesn’t lose carbonation.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Highball Glass: Tall, narrow, and built for ice.
- Ice: And lots of it! Dilution is part of the balance when making a rum and coke.
- Bar Spoon (optional): One gentle stir is enough.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- Classic Rum and Coke
- Built directly in the glass
- Lime makes it brighter
- Lots of ice matters
- Don’t pre-mix
- Clean rum = better drink
- Simple, reliable, always works
Rum and Coke
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum
- 4 ounces cola
- 1 lime wedge
Instructions
- FILL GLASS: Fill a highball glass completely with ice.
- ADD RUM: Pour 2 ounces light rum over the ice.
- TOP WITH COLA: Add 4 ounces cola and gently stir once to combine.
- GARNISH: Squeeze a lime wedge lightly over the drink, then drop it into the glass or rest it on the rim.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published July 2021, updated and republished January 2026
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Welcome!
We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
Cheers!
Absolutely loathe R & C! My first drinking experience did not go well since I didn’t know about “ratio” of rum to coke. To this day can’t stand even the smell of rum.
You can never go wrong with a rum and coke, or anything and coke really! A classic staple for holidays.
Donna and Chad never disappoint. This rum and coke is perfection!
Hi Rylee!
We’re so glad you enjoyed.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn