Rum lemonade does not get the same attention as a rum and Coke or even a rum and pineapple juice, which is pretty unfair if you ask me (which no one did, but I’m going to give my opinion either way).

The lemon’s tartness cuts through the rum’s sweetness, making this two-ingredient cocktail feel lighter and more refreshing than other rum highballs.

It’s also the rum combination that works best in a pitcher for a crowd, because lemonade scales up easily and the flavors stay balanced whether you’re making one glass or eight.

HOWEVER, the lemonade can mask how strong this drink can be, so sip slowly. And never drink and drive after a party (or any other time).

Which rum

White rum is the cleanest choice and lets the lemon flavor lead.

Coconut rum, if you want to lean tropical, adds sweetness and a coconut note that makes it taste closer to a punch. Malibu is an easy one to grab, but know that the drink will run sweeter and need the lemonade to be more tart to compensate.

Dark rum adds a molasses-like depth that can be interesting to certain palates, especially with fresh lemonade. The bittersweet quality of dark rum and the tartness of lemon play off each other well, and give you a slightly more complex cocktail for parties.

Which lemonade?

Fresh-squeezed lemonade is the best option for this drink because rum is sweet, and you need the lemon to be assertive. A lemonade that’s too sweet, which many store-bought ones can be, will make the whole drink way too cloying to enjoy.

If you’re making your own, lean tart. Start with 1 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup, and 2 oz water, taste it, and adjust. My simple syrups page has the base recipe if you haven’t made one before.

What’s the Cocktail Ratio?

2 oz rum to 4 oz lemonade. If your lemonade is very sweet, add a squeeze of extra lemon juice or a splash of sparkling water to lighten it.

Garnish

A lemon wheel on the rim is the easiest garnish. Fresh berries dropped into the glass add color and a little fruit flavor if you want to get all fancy.

Find more ideas in the cocktail garnishes guide.

The 3-Ingredient Upgrade: Berries

Add a few fresh berries, like strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. Muddle them lightly in the bottom of the glass before building the drink.

The berries add sweetness, color, and a little fruit pulp, which makes it feel a bit fancier. A cocktail muddler breaks them down without turning them into mush.

Strawberry and rum is a particularly good combination. If you have a bottle of strawberry simple syrup in the fridge (or frozen in the freezer), a small splash added to the lemonade base takes the upgrade version even further.

Mocktail Version

Fresh lemonade with muddled berries and a splash of sparkling water is the easiest way to make this a mocktail. The berry version especially doesn’t need rum to carry it.

Yes, it’s pretty much a fancy lemonade, but it’s still really tasty.

Batching for a crowd

Mix 1 cup white rum with 4 cups fresh lemonade and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour over ice in individual glasses and let guests add muddled berries if they want the upgrade.

Keep extra lemonade in mason jars in the fridge.

Other rum cocktails to try:

• Orange Blossom Mojito
• Plum Ginger Sour
• Allspice Pomegranate Sour

More 2-Ingredient Rum Cocktails:

• Dark ’n Stormy
• Rum & Coke
• Rum & Soda
• Rum Guava
• Rum Iced Coffee
• Rum Lemonade
• Rum Mango
• Rum Pineapple
• Rum Sprite
• Rum Tonic
• Rum Watermelon

Rum Lemonade

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz white rum
• 4 oz lemonade (fresh-squeezed preferred)
• Lemon wheel, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add rum.
3. Top with lemonade and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Berry Glow-Up (3-Ingredient Version)

Ingredients

• 2 oz white rum
• 4 oz lemonade
• 4 to 5 fresh strawberries or raspberries
• Lemon wheel and fresh berries, for garnish

Instructions

1. Muddle berries in the bottom of a highball glass.
2. Fill with ice.
3. Add rum.
4. Top with lemonade and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a few berries on the rim.