New Survey Reveals 30% Of People Say This Is Their Go-To Rum Cocktail
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum, right? But rum isn't just for pirates. Famous counterculture novelist Hunter S. Thompson penned an opus called "The Rum Diary." Before that, rum was the favorite spirit of Colonial America, referred to by Virginia Eats + Drinks as the "drink of the New World." It was even used in lieu of money before a formal currency system was established, per Wine Enthusiast.
Today, rum has endured as a backbar staple. There might even be a bottle in your fridge right now. Maybe you prefer a gourmet sipping rum straight from the highball glass, like Zacapa XO or the award-winning Bumbu. Or for the flavor-explorer, the beach vacationer, or the poolside mixologist, maybe you prefer stirring your rum into a cocktail. Luckily, there's a wide array of rum cocktails to suit every palate: fruit, frozen, minty, and more. Tasting Table asked 626 sippers about their favorites to determine once and for all which rum cocktail is the most popular, and the answer might come as a bit of a surprise.
Can't beat the classics
According to Tasting Table's survey, only 4.63% of voters want to put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up for a Nilsson Schmilsson. It looks like only the most dedicated Harry Nilsson fans turn to this good Mai Tai. Next up, with 15.81% of the vote, is the Mojito. We recommend spicing up that classic minty-lime flavor palette with a little rosé. You can thank us later. Turns out equal parts rum and fruit juice isn't everybody's cup of tea (or you know what we mean). Daiquiris came in third place with 20.45%. If strawberry, one of the most popular Daiquiri flavors, isn't your thing, pineapple and mango can also be commonly found at many tiki bars. 28.75% of sippers like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain. (Just the cocktail for us, thanks.)
It turns out that, even when it comes to an arena as playful as rum cocktails, you really just can't beat the classics. With 30.35% of the vote, a good old fashioned Rum & Coke comes out in the number one spot for most popular rum cocktail. Whether you're on a tropical trip or are watching the Rangers game at your neighborhood dive, there's a good chance you'll hear "Malibu and Coke" shouted across the bar.