Cocktails

Rum Swizzle

Rum Swizzle is an alcoholic cocktail built on Light Or Dark Rum. It leans sparkling and citrus. Built and served in a Collins Glass. Expect about 12.3% ABV and roughly 325 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic12.3% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

325 kcalCalories

12.3%ABV

43.4gSugar

45.4gCarbs

1.46Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition. Some ingredient data may be approximate.

These nutrition figures are approximate estimates for this recipe — actual values vary with your exact measures, brands and serving size.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatebuilt drink

Why: 5 ingredients, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

2.0 ozLight or dark rumBase Spirit
1.0 ozFresh Lime JuiceJuice
2.0 ozSimple SyrupSweetener
2 dashesAngostura BittersBitters
to tasteSoda waterMixer

Tools:Bar Spoon

How to Make It

Combine first four ingredients in ice-filled Collins glass.Fill
With bar spoon between your palms, move hands back and forth and up and down to quickly rotate and lift spoon, until glass is frosted.
Top with soda water.Top
Serve with a swizzle stick.Serve

How to Serve

Glass: Collins Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Sparkling Citrus

Supporting notes

Bitter Vanilla Sweet Tart Spice

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

Noticeably sweet
Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

SummerSuggested from its citrus and sparkling notes.

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

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

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

Fresh Lime Juice1.0 oz

Lemon JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes: Lemon juice can usually replace lime juice, but the drink becomes less tropical and more lemon-forward.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Simple Syrup2.0 oz

SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well before serving or muddle/shake hard; start with about 1 teaspoon sugar per 1/4 oz syrup.
What changes: Sugar can replace simple syrup if it fully dissolves, but it adds less water.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Agave SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use slightly less at first, then adjust to taste.
What changes: Agave syrup can replace simple syrup, especially in tequila or mezcal drinks, but it adds an earthy agave note.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Demerara SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount, but avoid in very delicate drinks unless you want the darker flavor.
What changes: Demerara syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, darker sugar note is welcome.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Honey SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use slightly less at first; honey syrup can dominate delicate drinks.
What changes: Honey syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, floral sweetness is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Maple SyrupNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use less at first and avoid in delicate citrus or clear drinks unless you want maple flavor.
What changes: Maple syrup can replace simple syrup in darker or whiskey-style drinks, but it is not a neutral swap.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Angostura Bitters2 dashes

Aromatic BittersWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes: Another aromatic bitters can replace Angostura when some change in spice and fruit character is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange BittersNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste; the result will lose some baking-spice character.
What changes: Orange bitters can replace Angostura only when a brighter, more citrus-led result is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Soda Waterto taste

Carbonated WaterGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount.
What changes: Carbonated water is usually a close substitute for soda water.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Club SodaGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount.
What changes: Club soda is usually a close substitute for soda water.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sparkling WaterGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount.
What changes: Sparkling water is usually a close substitute for soda water.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Tonic WaterNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use only if you want a tonic-style drink.
What changes: Tonic water is not a neutral replacement for soda water; it adds bitterness and sweetness.

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 June 18, 2026

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

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Rum Swizzle?: The Rum Swizzle is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Collins Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 12.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 325 calories.
What does a Rum Swizzle taste like?: Rum Swizzle has a flavour profile featuring Sparkling, Citrus, Bitter, Vanilla. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a Rum Swizzle?: The Rum Swizzle has an ABV of approximately 12.3%. That's approximately 1.46 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 325 kcal, 43.4g sugar, 45.4g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Rum Swizzle typically served?: Rum Swizzle is often suggested for Summer, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Rum Swizzle?: If you enjoy Rum Swizzle, 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 Swizzle at home?: Yes. The Rum Swizzle uses 5 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Collins 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 Swizzle 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.