National Rum Day is right around the corner, landing every August 16 as a festive salute to one of the world’s most storied spirits. Whether you enjoy your rum light and zesty or dark and brooding, this is the day to toast with a proper cocktail. In Miami, where rum culture runs deep—from its Caribbean roots to modern mixology—bartenders are crafting complex, flavor-forward libations that celebrate rum in all its forms.
This isn’t your average poolside mojito roundup. These are bold, chef-driven drinks from some of Miami’s most respected kitchens and bars, each delivering a different take on rum’s range and richness. From spiced and smoky to tropical and tart, these standout cocktails prove that rum is as versatile as it is celebratory.
Here are some standout cocktails for National Rum Day:
La Lola from RosaNegra Miami
- 1.5oz Charanda Mexican Rum
- 0.5oz aged rum
- 1oz passionfruit puree
- 0.5oz lemon juice
- 1oz Milk
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into glass. Add strawberry foam using a whip cream dispenser.
Foam Instructions: Mix 1oz Strawberry Syrup, 1oz Heavy Cream, 1g xanthan gum and let curdle for 30min then strain through a coffee filter.
Lady Day from Red Rooster Overtown
- 2 oz rum
- 1 cup Mango Chunks
- 1 oz Coconut Shrub
- 1 oz Simple Syrup (adjust to taste)
- Coconut flakes (garnish)
Directions: In a blender, combine all ingredients with ice. Blend until smooth. Pour the blended mixture into a chilled glass, and garnish with coconut flakes.
Chili Passion Martini from Jaya at the Setai
- 1.0 oz House Made Chili and lemongrass-infused ALB Vodka
- 1.0 oz Passion Fruit Rum
- 0.75 oz Passion Fruit Purée
- 0.5 oz Cranberry juice
- 0.25 oz Ginger Syrup
- Chili Flakes
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass. Add Chili flakes. Shake with ice and pour into a Martini glass. Garnish with Thai chili.
A DAY IN THE 305 from Maple & Ash Miami
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz strawberry coconut cordial
- 0.5 oz pineapple juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 3 drops of lime oil
Directions: The team makes the strawberry coconut cordial by sous viding dried strawberries with equal parts sugar, water & coconut syrup and half the amount of a coconut rum to make it into a cordial.
Garnish: Fresh mint sprig & powdered sugar
Spiced Pineapple Daiquiri from Sweet Liberty
- 0.5 oz. Plantation pineapple
- 0.5 oz. Chairman’s Reserve spiced rum
- 0.5 oz. Angostura 1919 rum
- 0.5 oz. Giffard pineapple
- 0.5 oz. pineapple juice
- 0.5 oz. lime juice
- 0.25 oz. spiced pineapple syrup
- Barspoon pineapple vinegar
- 3 dashes saline
Directions: Shake very hard & fine strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a half pineapple moon.
Whether you’re planning to shake, stir, blend, or foam your way through August 16, these Miami creations offer a sophisticated, flavorful path to celebrating National Rum Day. Let the rum flow, and toast to a spirit that’s stood the test of time with style and swagger.
