Rum Runner

This Rum Runner Cocktail is a fruity and refreshing cocktail made with banana, blackberry, orange, and pineapple flavors!

Homemade Grenadine adds a sweet finish to this tropical drink recipe. You can add Blackberry Simple Syrup for an even stronger fruit flavor!

This Rum Runner Recipe is a fresh and fruity drink you can enjoy through the dog days of summer.

If you’re a fan of Rum Punch or rum mixed drinks in general, this tiki bar staple is a must. And you don’t even need a cocktail shaker to make it!

Rums, flavored liqueurs, and fruit juices make this Rum Runner Cocktail bold and exotic. It’s a delicious way to taste the tropics no matter where you live! 

How To Make A Rum Runner Cocktail

1. Add the rum to a glass 3/4 filled with ice.
2. Next, add the banana liqueur.
3. Then, add blackberry brandy.
4. Finally, add the juice.
5. Stir with a bar spoon.
6. Top with a splash of grenadine.

This drink is generally served in either a Collins or a Hurricane glass.

Where was the Rum Runner Invented? 

This island-inspired drink was concocted at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar, a tiki bar in Islamorada, Florida, in the 1950s.

However, the name of this beverage goes a bit farther back. 

During the prohibition, in which alcohol was outlawed in the US between 1920-1933, rum runners (aka bootleggers) would smuggle liquor into the country. Rum was often shipped from the Caribbean to Florida and illegally served in local speakeasies. 

So in light of its tropical flavors and scandalous history, it’s no wonder that the Rum Runner Drink originated in the Florida Keys! 

Tips For Making A Rum Runner Cocktail:

• Homemade Grenadine adds a sweet finish to this tropical drink recipe. 
• Try adding Blackberry Simple Syrup for an even stronger fruit flavor.
• You can also replace banana liqueur with blackberry liqueur if you prefer the taste of berries to bananas.
• Don’t have orange-pineapple juice? Just add 1 oz of plain orange juice and 1 oz of pineapple juice instead. 
• Spiced Rum can also be used in place of dark rum for a warmer flavor. Or, try coconut rum for a beachy kick. 

A squeeze of lime juice is also a refreshing way to cut some of the sweetness. Try serving Rum Runners with a lime wedge for a pretty and tasty garnish.

More Delicious Drink Recipes:

• Blue Hawaiian – These prettiest drink ever!
• Pina Colada – A delicious classic!
• Mai Tai – One of my all-time favorite fruity drinks!
• Tequila Sunrise – Such pretty layers in this drink!
• Dirty Banana – This is basically a boozy milkshake!

Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!

Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!

This post was originally published in February 2014 and was updated in August 2019.