The Best Mixers for Spiced Rum: Classic Choices & Tasty Twists
- Dan & Katie Stratford
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 25
Spiced rum isn't just for holidays and special occasions—it's a versatile, tasty spirit you can enjoy all year round. With warm flavours like vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, spiced rum offers endless mixing possibilities. Choosing the right mixer can highlight these inviting flavours and make your drink truly memorable.
Whether you're a seasoned rum enthusiast or exploring spiced rum for the first time, let's dive into some classic mixers and a few tasty twists to level up your sipping game.
Not All Spiced Rums Are Created Equal
Just like people, every spiced rum has its own personality. Some are sweeter and mellow, perfect for casual sipping or simpler mixers. Others come with richer, more intense spice profiles that demand bold pairings to match.
Knowing your rum's character helps you find the best mixers to enhance its unique taste. Let's explore some mixers that suit different styles of spiced rum.
Classic & Common Mixers for Spiced Rum
1. Cola - Too Sweet?
A classic Rum & Cola is sweet, bubbly, and reliably delicious. This combo is good when you want an easy-going drink that never disappoints. Cola can go well with the vanilla in a spiced rum, however, sometimes it can be too sweet and overpower the rum flavour.
2. Ginger Beer / Ginger Ale
Spiced rum and ginger beer make a dynamic duo, offering a spicy kick that complements the rum's warmth perfectly. The fire of ginger and rum is great for a warmer winter drink, but also great for the sunshine! Try it in a Spiced Rum Mule—refreshing yet packed with flavour.
3. Apple Juice / Apple Cider
Apples and spice are made for each other. Pairing spiced rum with apple juice or cider highlights cinnamon and nutmeg notes, creating a cozy, autumn-inspired drink.
4. Lemonade
A bit sweeter, lemonade balances out the spice beautifully, creating a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink that's great for casual gatherings.
5. Pineapple Juice
For a surprising tropical twist, pineapple juice pairs wonderfully with spiced rum, adding bright sweetness and enhancing its complexity. Great for summer sipping!
6. Orange Juice
Citrusy and sweet, orange juice adds freshness and zest, making it a delicious brunch-worthy mixer with spiced rum. However sometimes the orange can conflict with flavours in some spiced rums, so tread carefully.
7. Hot Chocolate
Imagine the comforting taste of hot chocolate enhanced by warm, spicy rum. It's indulgent, rich, and good for chilly evenings— if you ever fancy a warm drink, this is one of our favourite treats.
8. Coffee (Hot or Cold Brew)
For coffee lovers, pairing spiced rum with your favourite hot or cold brew coffee creates an unexpected, sophisticated drink with deep flavours—perfect as an after-dinner cocktail. I'm still yet to try this with a "bulletproof" coffee but I think the butter and the rum would only help to improve this.
9. Club Soda / Sparkling Water - Weak and thin?
For a lighter option, club soda allows the natural flavours of spiced rum to shine through. Add a squeeze of lime for a quick, bubbly refreshment. Be careful not to dilute the rum too much, as you could end up with a thin weak drink.
The Best Spiced Rum Mixer - Stratford Sodas!
Looking to elevate your spiced rum experience? Our premium mixers are crafted specifically to complement spiced rum's warm, inviting flavours. Made with quality ingredients, they turn everyday drinks into memorable drink moments. For spiced rums we recommend our ginger and cinnamon spiced mixer to complement the vanilla and cinnamon in spiced rums.
Some of our favourite spiced rums
Choosing the right rum is crucial for creating exceptional drinks. Here are two of our absolute favourites:
Salford Spiced Rum – A small batch golden spiced rum from the old Salford Docks, this rum infuses vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and dried Caribbean fruits. Excellent with our spiced mixer.
Sly Dog – Winner of World's Best Spiced Rum at the World Rum Awards 2023, Sly Dog guards it's tropical spices. But the rum is great, and goes amazingly with our tropical mixer.
Explore these recommendations and discover your perfect rum-and-mixer combination.
Conclusion
Spiced rum offers incredible versatility, pairing effortlessly with mixers you likely already enjoy. The fun comes from experimenting and discovering new combinations to love.
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