Rum And Tonic

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

The sweet, tropically-tinged Rum and Tonic is a refreshing treat on a sun-filled day.

Today’s drink, the Rum and Tonic is quite honestly one of the best hot weather concoctions you could gift yourself as a thirst takes you. If you’re on vacation and at a beachside bar, try one of these. You’ll probably end up ordering more than a few.

I discovered the tropical vibes of the Rum and Tonic only a few weeks prior. I was at my parents’ house, visiting for the month of August as I usually do every year, hanging with my nephews, doing some writing and sipping on a tipple or two by the pool. One day, a thunderstorm rolled through, and everybody was off in other parts of the house doing their own thing, so I opted to mix myself a midday cocktail.

A bottle of dark, high-proof rum greeted me as I opened the liquor cabinet. Knowing I had a few cans of light, low-calorie Fever-Tree tonic water in the fridge, I thought, why not… Let’s see what this combination tastes like. Turns out, the bitterness of the quinine in the fizzy tonic helps brighten and accentuate the fruity and spiced infusions from the rum. And with a squeeze of fresh lime juice swirled in, the overall experience was a balanced and refreshing one.

The rain might have been falling, but in my glass the sun was shining on the Caribbean.

What is the best rum to use in a Rum and Tonic?

Dark rum will give your mixture a robust flavor, along with an extra kick of potency, depending on what you use as the base spirit. When I crafted my Rum and Tonics, I used a cost-effective and reliable Kraken Black. Found just about anywhere you shop for your alcohol, Kraken is often my go-to choice for dark rum. There are others out there, of course, and whichever you prefer or whatever catches your eye, treat yourself to it. Smith & Cross navy-strength rum makes a funky and powerfully complex cocktail, and for a rich, smooth sip, choose a Jamaican brand like Appleton Estate or Myers’s.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Mix your Rum and Tonic together in a highball or collins glass, filled to the top with ice and garnished with a juicy and fresh lime wedge on the rim.

What is the best tonic water to use?

I always sing the praises of Fever-Tree, and mentioned earlier about using their light tonic water. On my flights back home to Los Angeles recently, I enjoyed a few Gin and Tonics on the planes mixed with Canada Dry and Seagram’s, which made for some lovely and bubbly mixed beverages.

Similar drinks to the Rum and Tonic

Occasionally, I’ll discover I have some leftover cans of club soda or tonic in the refrigerator from when I was making specific cocktails for a get-together or research. The latter is always fun, and when I have a less-considered pairing of spirit and mixer, the results are sometimes pleasantly and deliciously surprising. Check out these recipes for something that might please you from left of field.

• Whiskey Tonic – If you’ve never tried this pairing, now’s as good a time as any.
• Vodka and Coke – Usually it’s whiskey or rum that parties with a dark cola, but this elixir is just as satisfying.
• Rum and Ginger Ale – Another fantastic and refreshing sipper that might become your new summer favorite.
• Gin and Coke – Here’s another cola mixture that you should try.