Rum and orange juice are delicious together and a very easy cocktail to make. Together they create a sweet and tart flavor with hints of vanilla. It also has a tropical flavor from the rum. It’s a simple mixed drink and the perfect brunch cocktail.

Orange juice is a citrus juice that pairs well with many spirits, like vodka and orange juice. We use it as a base in several of our cocktails and it provides the perfect amount of sweetness and acidity.

This is a great cocktail for easy entertaining. It’s perfect for brunches, parties outside or even just for happy hour.

rum and orange juice drink with a flower

Be sure to check out all of our orange juice cocktail recipes.

All About Orange Juice

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Made by extracting the juice of oranges, orange juice is a classic refrigerator staple. The drink can be made using any type of orange and is thus available in several varieties, including:

Blood orange

Navel orange

Valencia orange

Clementine

Tangerine

Grown in warmer areas like California and Florida, oranges are packed with vitamins—most notably vitamin c. The sun-kissed growing process gives freshly squeezed orange juice a bright, energizing citrus flavor.

Does rum mix with orange juice?

Yes! Orange juice pairs so well with many spirits like tequila and orange juice, whiskey and orange juice, and of course rum and orange juice.

rum, orange juice, glasses and a cocktail jigger on a marble table.

Ingredients in a Rum and Orange Juice

There are only two ingredients in this cocktail recipe!

Rum – white rum, aged spiced rum, or coconut rum will all work with orange juice. A darker rum will give it a beautiful color as it floats on the top.

Orange Juice – We like to use fresh-squeezed orange juice, which you can buy at the grocery store. Buy one that is 100% juice and does not have added sugar.

Different Types of Rum

Here are the three most popular types of rum. For this recipe we prefer, white rum, gold rum, or coconut rum.

White Rum – This is also known as clear rum, silver rum, or light rum. It’s aged for less than a year and has a clear color. This rum goes well with juice and it’s perfect in mojitos.

Gold Rum – This is deeper in color than white rum as it is aged in wooden barrels longer. They’re also a little sweeter than white rum as they take on more of the sugarcane and molasses flavor.

Dark Rum – This rum has a stronger flavor and is aged for a longer period of time in charred oak barrels. This rum goes nicely in a dark and stormy or as a rum and coke.

Cocktail Variations

Use a 1/2 ounce lime to give it more of a kick.

Add a little grenadine over the top for a fun color and twist on a tequila sunset, also known as a rum sunset cocktail.

Shake it up for an ice-cold cocktail and strain it over ice.

Add pineapple juice and a pineapple wedge for even more tropical flavors.

Add a dash of bitters to the drink.

If you like a sweeter drink, add a little simple syrup to the cocktail.

Rum and Orange Juice Punch

If you’re hosting a party and need a quick party punch recipe, orange juice and rum are perfect! This two-ingredient drink is effortless entertaining at its best. In a large punch bowl add 7 cups fresh orange juice and 3 cups rum and a lot of fresh ice.

Coconut Rum and Orange Juice

Mix coconut rum and orange juice for more tropical flavors. Garnish this drink with a cocktail umbrella and a cherry for a festive and charming presentation.

pouring dark spirit into a glass filled with ice

Cocktail Garnishes

A charming presentation is always fun. Here are a few ways we spruce up this cocktail:

Edible Flowers – Use edible flowers to add a charming touch.

Cocktail Umbrellas – Rum always feels a little tropical, add a pretty cocktail umbrella to give it a beachy vibe.

Dried Orange Slices – Keep dried orange slices on hand to use as cocktail garnishes.

Large Ice Cubes – Not necessarily a cocktail garnish, but using large ice cubes is a fun way to dress this drink up.

Maraschino Cherry – Add some color with a bright red cherry.

Large Ice Cubes – Not necessarily a cocktail garnish, but using large ice cubes is a fun way to dress this drink up.

Mint Sprigs – Even though there is no mint in this recipe, mint is still a beautiful cocktail garnish. It adds an earthiness to the drink and a pop of color.

How can I juice an orange without a juicer?

If you don’t have a juicer, you can still make a cocktail with freshly squeezed orange juice.

To extract the juice from an orange, cut the orange into eight wedges and squeeze the juice out with your hands into a small bowl.

Alternatively, you can cut an orange in half and twist the juice out with the tines of a fork. Firmly rolling the orange on the counter before squeezing will loosen the membranes inside and yield you more juice.