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This rum margarita takes the classic cocktail and switches things up by using rum instead of tequila, adding a slightly sweeter and fuller-bodied taste.
I love taking a popular cocktail and using a different ingredient - from a blackberry mojito to a vodka sour to a peach daiquiri to a black manhattan.
And while it may seem like blasphemy to use rum in a margarita, it tastes great. If you don't have or like tequila, rum is a good substitute.
Why This Cocktail Works
- It is a spin on a a classic margarita.
- Uses just four ingredients, so it is quick to prepare.
- If you are out of tequila or just like rum, this margarita is for you.
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Ingredient Notes
- Rum - Known for its underlying profile of sweet, toasted sugar, I like to use white rum for this cocktail.
- Triple sec - An orange liquor that complements the other flavors.
- Limes - Adds the necessary acid/tartness you expect.
- Agave syrup - A traditional ingredient in margaritas that offsets the sourness.
Ingredient Swaps
As with any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients if you want. Some variations include:
- I always have triple sec in my cabinet, but Cointreau works great as well.
- While limes are more traditional, lemons can be used too.
- I like agave syrup in this margarita, but honey or sugar can be used as substitutes.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Rub the rim of a glass with a lime slice. Dip in some salt and sugar.
In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the rum, triple sec, lime juice and agave syrup. Shake for 20 seconds and then pour in the glass with some crushed ice. Garnish with a lime slice.
FAQs
If you want a frozen margarita, triple the ingredients and add about 5 cups of ice to the blender and blend with the other ingredients.
I just like the flavor of agave in this margarita but you can also use sugar or take the time to make a simple syrup.
You can use various citrus juices like lime, lemon, or even orange to add a tangy and refreshing element to your rum margarita. Experiment with different combinations to find your preferred taste.
Yes, you can prepare a pitcher of rum margaritas in advance, but it's recommended to wait until serving time to add ice to prevent dilution.
Store the mixture in the refrigerator and add ice to individual glasses when serving.
Types of Rum
While there are a few varieties, there are 4 main types of rum, and they all vary slightly in their flavor. Just depends on what you are looking for.
- White - The lightest in flavor and typically used in drinks like a mango mojito or this cocktail.
- Gold - Aged longer than its white counterpart. It usually has caramel added to give its golden hue and has a smoother taste than white rum.
- Dark - Result of double distillation and should be sipped as its a stronger flavor like whiskey.
- Spiced - Usually made from molasses or sugarcane syrup and typically adds spices to amplify the sweetness or add heat.
Equipment
The equipment you use is important to how the drink turns out. What is needed is the following:
- Cocktail shaker - Helps emulsify and keep the margarita ingredients cold when you shake them. You can also stir everything together.
- Margarita glasses - if you want the drinks to look the part you need some margarita glasses but any glass will work.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use white rum when making the margarita. Other rums can muddy the flavor.
- Fresh lime juice is the only way to go. Store-bought doesn't taste as good and is actually more expensive.
- Use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It takes takes less work and adds additional flavor.
- Use crushed ice which will make the margarita colder quicker.
Other Margarita Recipes
If you’ve tried this rum margarita or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Rum Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz rum
- 1 oz triple sec
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz agave syrup
- lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Cut a lime and rub edges of glasses with it. Then dip the glasses in a plate that has either sugar or salt or a combination.
- Combine rum, lime juice, triple sec and agave syrup in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 20 seconds. Strain in a margarita glass and garnish with a sliced lime.
Notes
- Use white rum when making the margarita. Other rums can muddy the flavor.
- Fresh lime juice is the only way to go. Store-bought doesn't taste as good and is actually more expensive.
- Use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It takes takes less work and adds additional flavor.
- Use crushed ice which will make the margarita colder quicker.
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