Our Raspberry Cocktail recipe is made with fresh mint leaves, rum, raspberry syrup, and San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa.
This quick and easy aperitif serves two and has a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
You can find the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Rum + Raspberry Cocktail
We’ve got a wonderfully delicious and refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for spring and summer, or anytime you need to take things down a notch and chill.
This cocktail has a balanced mix of sweet and tangy flavors that work well together.
And with just a few simple steps, you can whip up two servings of this moderately complex aperitif in no time at all.
Raspberry cocktail recipes are perfect for warm summer days, happy hours, special occasions, or date nights.
These tasty raspberry cocktails often use simple ingredients like fresh berries, fruit juice, homemade raspberry syrup, lime juice, club soda, and soda water.
To create a sweeter side of these cocktails, bartenders can also add cream of coconut, sugar syrup, or elderflower liqueur.
So, grab your cocktail shaker or mixing glass and get ready to mix up a delightful summer cocktail that’s perfect for sipping and chillaxing all summer long.
I love drinking a well-mixed cocktail for many reasons; for me, a good cocktail is a refreshing and tasty way for me to relax and unwind after a long day.
Additionally, serving cocktails is a great way to socialize with friends and family or to celebrate a special occasion.
There’s something tangential and fun about the careful blending of ingredients, and the artful presentation of a well-made cocktail can elevate the experience of drinking, making it a sensory and visual pleasure.
At the end of the day, there’s something almost magical about mixing up a cocktail, whether it’s a tried and true favorite or a new recipe.
It’s not just about the finished drink, but the process of creating it that’s truly enjoyable from start to finish.
It’s a whole mood!
What You Will Need:
Fresh Mint Leaves. For this cocktail, fresh mint leaves are muddled, and muddling herbs or even slices of citrus is done to release the juice and oils; this technique embues the cocktail with deeper flavors that complement the alcohol and other ingredients.
Ice. Without a doubt, shaking the ingredients of a cocktail is the most efficient method when it comes to chilling and diluting a cocktail—as long as it’s done correctly. A proper shake will cause the ice to move vigorously in the shaker, chilling the liquid around it and causing it to break down and release water into the drink. This process cools and dilutes the cocktail at the same time, resulting in a well-balanced and refreshing beverage.
Black Rum. You may be wondering, what is black rum? Well, the short answer is dark, black, or golden rum all begin as a clear spirit, just like light rum. The difference lies in the aging process. While light rum is filtered and bottled immediately after distillation, dark rum is aged first. For instance, Black Seal is a blend of three rums made from over-proofed fermented molasses, which means they have been aged in charred American white oak for three years. The outcome is a smooth, creamy, and complex rum with hints of molasses, fruit, and brown sugar. This rum blends perfectly with our Raspberry Cocktail.
Angostura Orange Bitters. Angostura Orange Bitters are used in cocktails to add a subtle citrusy flavor and aroma. The bitters are made from a blend of herbs and spices, including bitter orange peel, cardamom, and gentian, which give them a complex and layered taste. They can be used to balance a cocktail’s sweetness or add depth and complexity to the flavor profile. In this raspberry cocktail, the Angostura Orange Bitters help balance the sweetness of the raspberry syrup and the San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa while adding a subtle orange flavor that complements the rum.
Raspberry Syrup. Raspberry syrup is used in the Raspberry Cocktail to add a sweet and fruity flavor that complements the bold taste of the rum. The syrup also gives the cocktail a lovely pink hue, making it visually appealing. Additionally, the raspberry syrup adds a slight tartness, which helps to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients in the cocktail, such as the San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa and the mint leaves.
San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa. San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa, which is a blood orange-flavored soda, adds a bright and refreshing citrus note to this cocktail. Its sweet and tangy flavor complements the rum and raspberry syrup, while its bubbly carbonation gives the drink a lively fizz. The San Pellegrino also contributes to the overall texture and mouthfeel of the cocktail, making it a delicious and well-balanced beverage.
More Ice & A Fresh Mint Garnish. This Raspberry Cocktail is served over ice to help chill the drink and balance the flavors. The single large fresh mint leaf is used as a garnish to add a fragrant and refreshing aroma to the drink. Additionally, mint is known to complement the flavors of rum and raspberry, making it a perfect garnish for this cocktail.
The use of fresh ingredients can be the difference between a good and a bad cocktail, and in the case of our Raspberry Cocktail, fresh mint is crucial.
Its herbaceous flavor profile adds a unique dimension to the drink that simply works.
How to Make a Rum + Raspberry Cocktail
How to Make a Rum + Raspberry Cocktail2 Servings
Ingredients:
- 4 large fresh mint leaves
- ice
- 2 1/2 ounces of black rum
- 4 dashes of Angostura Orange bitters
- 1-ounce raspberry syrup
- 4 ounces San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa, Blood Orange
Directions:
- Add three (3) large fresh mint leaves muddle to express the mint oils and essence into a cocktail mixing glass or cocktail shaker.
- Add ice, then add the rum, bitters, raspberry syrup, and San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa.
- If mixing this drink in a cocktail mixing glass, stir with a long-handled bar spoon for thirty (30) seconds. If mixing in a cocktail shaker, secure the lid and shake vigorously for (30) seconds.
- Double-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a single large mint leaf.
- Serve.
How to batch mix this cocktail.
Ingredients:
10 Servings
- 20 large fresh mint leaves
- 2 1/2 cups black rum
- 2/3 cup or 5 teaspoons of Angostura Orange bitters
- 1 ¼ cups of raspberry syrup
- 5 cups of San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa, Blood Orange
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher or container, muddle the fresh mint leaves.
- Dry mix the remaining ingredients; dry mixing means you are mixing a cocktail without any ice.
- Add the black rum, Angostura Orange bitters, and raspberry syrup to the pitcher.
- Stir the mixture well to combine the ingredients.
- Finally, pour in the San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa and gently stir again.
- Adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more raspberry syrup or bitters if desired.
- Serve the batch cocktail in individual glasses filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish each glass with a single leaf of mint, optional.
I don’t drink alcohol. Will you recommend a non-alcoholic substitute for the dark rum?
If you would prefer a non-alcoholic version of this raspberry drink, you can omit the rum and use one of the following:
- Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative
- Lyre’e Dark Cake Non-Alcoholic Spirit, Dark Rum Style
- High Rhode by Kin Euphorics
- Ghia Non-Alcoholic Apéritif
For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, raspberry lemonade, ginger ale, or lemon-lime soda can also be used as a base.
I don’t like the taste of raspberry. Are there any other berry flavors that will work with this cocktail?
Certainly! If you’re not a fan of Raspberry, don’t worry.
You can still enjoy our Raspberry Cocktail by substituting raspberry syrup with other berry flavors you prefer, such as strawberry, blackberry, or blueberry syrup. These alternatives will give the cocktail a distinct taste while providing the perfect fruity sweetness to complement the strong taste of rum.
Can I substitute raspberry liqueur for fresh raspberries in the cocktail?
Raspberry liqueur can be used instead of fresh raspberries in a rum raspberry cocktail.
It adds a sweet, fruity flavor and a deep pink color.
However, it will give a stronger raspberry flavor.
To reduce the sweetness, adjust the amount of raspberry liqueur or use a combination of fresh raspberries and liqueur.
What are some good food pairings with a rum raspberry cocktail?
The sweet and fruity flavor of a rum raspberry cocktail pairs well with a variety of foods. Here are some good food pairings to consider:
Cheese: The tangy and salty flavors of cheese, such as brie or goat cheese, complement the sweetness of the cocktail. Try a meat and cheese charcuterie board as a great pairing idea.
Chocolate: The rich and decadent flavors of chocolate, such as dark chocolate truffles or chocolate-covered strawberries, pair well with the sweetness of the cocktail.
Spicy foods: The fruity flavors of the cocktail can help to balance out the heat in spicy foods, such as spicy chicken wings or shrimp tacos.
Grilled meats: The smoky flavors of grilled meats, such as steak or pork chops, complement the sweetness of the cocktail.
Fruit-based desserts: The fruity flavors of the cocktail pair well with desserts that feature berries or other fruit, such as raspberry sorbet or berry tart.
What type of rum is best for a rum raspberry cocktail?
For this recipe, we’re using Black Bermuda Rum. Dark or aged rum can add a richer, more complex flavor to the cocktail, while spiced rums can bring a hint of warmth and spice.
Be aware that using a darker or spiced rum may change the overall flavor and color of the cocktail.
When it comes to selecting the best type of rum for a rum raspberry cocktail, it ultimately depends on personal preference.
White or light rum is a popular choice for this cocktail. White rum has a subtle flavor that won’t overpower the sweetness of the raspberry, and its light color won’t interfere with the deep pink hue of the cocktail.
Additionally, white rum tends to be more affordable than other types of rum, making it a budget-friendly option for mixing cocktails.
What glassware should I use for serving a rum raspberry cocktail?
These drinks can be served in a highball glass, shaker tin, or even in a champagne flute.
What other types of Raspberry Cocktails should I try?
The addition of fresh raspberry purée or homemade raspberry syrup gives the cocktail a fruity and gorgeous-looking drink that can have a frothy texture, topped with white foam or a red-hued drink.
Raspberry margarita, raspberry daiquiri, raspberry gimlet, raspberry kiss cocktail, raspberry martini, raspberry collins, and raspberry bellini are just a few examples of classic cocktails that can be transformed into a fruity twist.
Remember, the key to a good food pairing is to balance the flavors and not overwhelm the palate.
Try our delicious Raspberry Cocktail today and elevate your home bartending game!
Don’t forget to leave a comment if you have any questions or if you’ve tried it out. Cheers!
Check out these raspberry cocktails:
Rum and Raspberry Cocktail
Ingredients
- 4 large fresh mint leaves
- ice
- 2.5 ounces black rum
- 4 dashes of Angostura Orange bitters
- 1 ounce raspberry syrup
- 6 ounces San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa, Blood Orange
Instructions
- Add three (3) large fresh mint leaves muddle to express the mint oils and essence into a cocktail mixing glass or cocktail shaker.
- Add ice, then add the rum, bitters, raspberry syrup, and San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa.
- If mixing this drink in a cocktail mixing glass, stir with a long-handled bar spoon for thirty (30) seconds. If mixing in a cocktail shaker, secure the lid and shake vigorously for (30) seconds.
- Double-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a single large mint leaf.
- Serve.
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