Spiced Rum-Soaked Tropical Fruit Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Vibrant tropical fruits soaked in a spiced rum dressing, delivering a refreshing and aromatic fruit salad perfect for summer. This latin american-inspired desserts ready in about 15 minutes layers pineapple chunks, mango cubes, papaya cubes into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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: 15 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 120 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups pineapple chunks, 1 1/2 cups mango cubes, and 1 cup papaya cubes.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup Costa Rica Ron Centenario 25 rum, 2 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon until honey dissolves and dressing is smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the rum dressing over the fruit and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly.
  4. Step 4: Cover and refrigerate the fruit salad for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the fruit to soak up the spiced rum.
  5. Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves and 1/4 cup toasted shredded coconut over the top for a fresh and crunchy finish.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Rum-Soaked Tropical Fruit Salad take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Spiced Rum-Soaked Tropical Fruit Salad?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum-Soaked Tropical Fruit Salad?

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 Rum-Soaked Tropical Fruit Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Rum-Soaked Tropical Fruit Salad?

Latin American desserts 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.