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Cocktails

Rum Old-fashioned

Rum Old-fashioned is an alcoholic cocktail built on Light Rum. It leans sweet and vanilla. Stirred and served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 40.1% ABV and roughly 125 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic40.1% ABV6 ingredients

At a Glance

125 kcalCalories
40.1%ABV
1.4gSugar
1.4gCarbs
1.3Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatelayered drink

Why: 6 ingredients, layered drink

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Stir powdered sugar, water, and bitters in an old-fashioned glass.Stirred
  2. When sugar has dissolved add ice cubes and light rum.Add
  3. Add the twist of lime peel, float 151 proof rum on top, and serve.Top

How to Serve

Glass
Old-Fashioned Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Cubed ice
Method
Stirred
Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

SweetVanilla

Supporting notes

BitterHerbalSpicy

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • High ABV
  • Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

  • AperitifSuggested from its bitter and herbal notes.
  • Happy HourSuggested from its bitter notes, pairing with charcuterie and olives.
  • After DinnerSuggested from the drink's flavour and serve.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

CharcuterieOlivesSalty Snacks

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVeganVegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Light Rum1 1/2 oz

Aged RumKnown variation
How much to use
Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners only if the drink becomes too heavy.
What changes
Aged rum can replace light rum when a fuller, oakier variation is acceptable.
Dark RumWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners if the result becomes too heavy.
What changes
Dark rum can replace light rum when a deeper, heavier rum profile is welcome.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Powdered Sugar1/2 tsp

Superfine SugarWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Dissolve well; sweetness may need a small adjustment.
What changes
Superfine sugar can replace powdered sugar in many shaken drinks.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Bitters1 dash

Angostura BittersKnown variation
How much to use
Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes
When a recipe says only “bitters,” Angostura is a common aromatic default, except in drinks built around another named bitters style.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Rum Old-fashioned?
The Rum Old-fashioned is a cocktail made with 6 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 40.1%. A standard serving contains approximately 125 calories.
What does a Rum Old-fashioned taste like?
Rum Old-fashioned has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Vanilla, Bitter, Herbal. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Rum Old-fashioned?
Rum Old-fashioned pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Rum Old-fashioned?
The Rum Old-fashioned has an ABV of approximately 40.1%. That's approximately 1.30 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 125 kcal, 1.4g sugar, 1.4g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Rum Old-fashioned typically served?
Rum Old-fashioned is often suggested for After Dinner, Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Rum Old-fashioned?
If you enjoy Rum Old-fashioned, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Rum Old-fashioned at home?
Yes. The Rum Old-fashioned uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Old-Fashioned Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?
Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Rum Old-fashioned with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.