The 9 Best Rums for Rum & Cokes in 2022

Best Overall: Rhum Clement XO Agricole

• Region: Martinique
• ABV: 44%
• Tasting Notes: Honey, Smoke, Orange

“Rum and Coke is such a recognizable flavor combination that I love using a quality aged rum to give it a little backbone,” says Kat Hawkins, beverage director at Shaw's Crab House in Chicago. “Rhum Clement XO Agricole from Martinique provides the quality and complexity at a great value. It is aged for six years and provides complimentary vanilla and smoky aromas to a classic drink.”

Read Next: The Best Cheap Rums

Best Budget: Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum

• Region: US Virgin Islands
• ABV: 35%
• Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Nutmeg

According to Craig Schoettler, MGM Resorts executive director of beverage & corporate mixologist, there’s no need to spend a lot of money on rum for mixing with cola. “If you like a heavy vanilla flavor, spiced rums work well—Captain Morgan, etc.,” he says. “With Coke being the dominant flavor profile in this drink, the nuances that could be found in some high quality rums would get lost.”

Best Spiced: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum

• Region: Trinidad
• ABV: 47%
• Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Nutmeg

“The Kraken’s deep spiced vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavors are perfect for a wintertime Rum & Coke,” says Nicole Ross, head bartender at New York's The Chester, Gansevoort Meatpacking. “It will even excite you as you approach it with its deep caramel, toffee, and spice aromas that make your mouth water before you have even taken your first sip. Giving this rum a splash of Coke just opens up those incredible spices and makes you just hope that you do not accidentally finish the bottle on your own.”

Read Next: The Best Spiced Rums

Best Dark Rum: Goslings Black Seal

• Region: Bermuda
• Proof: 40%
• Tasting Notes: Molasses, Caramel, Vanilla

Goslings is a bartenders’ favorite dark rum, not too expensive with rich flavors that work in many different cocktails—including the Dark ‘n Stormy, which is actually trademarked by the brand. The rich vanilla and molasses flavors complement the sweetness of cola as well, so this should be a go-to bottle to reach for in the dark rum category for making this drink.

Best White Rum: Bacardi Superior

• Region: Puerto Rico
• ABV: 40%
• Tasting Notes: Banana, Pineapple, Vanilla

Bacardi is known worldwide for making high quality and affordable rum, including this white expression which is one of the brand’s most popular. Add a splash of this to your Rum & Coke to keep the color light and the flavor fresh, as this aged and then filtered spirit provides sweet and citrus notes to the cocktail.

Read Next: The Best White Rums

Best Double Aged: Dos Maderas 5+3 Double Aged

• Region: Barbados, Guyana, Spain
• ABV: 40%
• Tasting Notes: Cherry, Brown Sugar, Caramel

“I really enjoy aged rums for Rum & Coke as it can stand up to coke’s sweet caramel flavors,” says Kevin Reilly, beverage director at Taub Family Outpost. “One of my personal favorites is Dos Maderas 5+3 Double Aged rum. The finishing of this rum in palo cortado sherry casks gives great complexity of roasted nuts, smoke and tobacco helping elevate the flavors of this classic libation.”

Best Jamaican: Appleton Estate Signature Blend

• Region: Jamaica
• ABV: 40%
• Tasting Notes: Honey, Vanilla, Oak

“This is a nicely balanced aged rum from Jamaica that is fruit-forward with peach and apricot notes and a hint of sweet molasses,” says Hristo Zisovski, beverage director of Altamarea Group. “It mixes perfectly with sweet cola.” Appleton Estate is a long-running Jamaican rum distillery that has some top-notch aged expressions as well, but this NAS blend should be the bottle you reach for to make a drink like this.

Read Next: The Best Dark Rums

Best Latin American: Flor de Caña 5 Year Añejo Clásico

• Region: Nicaragua
• ABV: 40%
• Tasting Notes: Coconut, Vanilla, Brown Sugar

“Since Coke can be perceived as a bit overpowering, I like to choose a rum that suits it best,” says Tyson Torres, food & beverage manager for Belmond El Encanto. “I always say if it isn’t broken don’t fix it. Vanilla and Coke are always a great combination and the vanilla, nutmeg, and caramel flavors that come through Flor de Caña Añejo 5 Year at such a reasonable cost is divine on the palate.”