Spiced Dark Rum Tiki Old Fashioned

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tiki-inspired Old Fashioned cocktail that balances spiced dark rum with brown sugar, aromatic bitters, and a hint of orange zest for a warm, tropical sip. This caribbean-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together spiced dark rum, brown sugar syrup (2:1 sugar to water), dashes Angostura bitters for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Serves 1 Caribbean cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare 0.5 oz brown sugar syrup by dissolving 2 parts dark brown sugar in 1 part hot water, then cooling.
  2. Step 2: In a mixing glass, add 2 oz spiced dark rum, 0.5 oz brown sugar syrup, and 3 dashes Angostura bitters.
  3. Step 3: Fill the mixing glass with 3 large ice cubes and stir gently for 30 seconds until chilled and slightly diluted.
  4. Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass over 3 fresh large ice cubes.
  5. Step 5: Express the oils of 1 large strip of orange peel over the drink by holding it skin side down and giving it a sharp twist, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1 luxardo cherry skewered on a cocktail pick.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Dark Rum Tiki Old Fashioned take to make?

Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Spiced Dark Rum Tiki Old Fashioned?

Refrigerate any leftover spiced dark rum tiki old fashioned in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Dark Rum Tiki Old Fashioned?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Dark Rum Tiki Old Fashioned for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Dark Rum Tiki Old Fashioned?

Caribbean cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.