Rum Runner
Serves 1 · 5 minutes · Hurricane glass
Last updated 24 October 2026
The Rum Runner is a Florida Keys tiki drink of two rums, banana and blackberry liqueurs, pineapple and lime. Recipes vary considerably; this page follows one specific published modern specification with named, verified bottles rather than claiming a single definitive original.
Ingredients
- — 30ml Crossfire Hurricane Reserve Jamaican rum (40% ABV)
- — 30ml BACARDÍ Carta Oro gold rum (37.5% ABV, UK bottling)
- — 30ml Giffard Banane du Brésil banana liqueur (25% ABV)
- — 15ml Giffard Crème de Mûre blackberry liqueur (16% ABV)
- — 60ml pineapple juice
- — 30ml fresh lime juice
- — 10ml non-alcoholic grenadine
- — Crushed ice
- — A washed pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry, to garnish
Method
- Measure both rums, both liqueurs, the pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine into a shaker.
- Fill with ice, seal and shake hard for 10–15 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain into a hurricane glass filled with crushed ice.
- Garnish with the pineapple wedge and cherry and serve immediately.
Why it works
Banana and blackberry liqueurs give the drink its distinctive dark-fruit character, while a full 30ml of lime keeps the sweetness in check. Two rum styles add depth without pushing the measure beyond 60ml. The liqueurs are doing flavour work and alcohol work at once, which is why they are counted.
The classic vs the spiced version
The cited Difford's Guide specification uses 30ml Jamaican rum, 30ml gold rum, 30ml banana liqueur, 15ml blackberry liqueur, 60ml pineapple, 30ml lime and 10ml grenadine. We keep those measures and name verified bottles. Replace only the 30ml gold rum with 30ml Dilay for a clearly labelled spiced adaptation — cardamom and ginger alongside banana and blackberry — not an extra rum added on top.
Tips for getting it right
- — Both liqueurs are alcoholic and measured: 30ml banana at 25% and 15ml blackberry at 16%. They are not fruit syrups, and they account for nearly a unit of the total.
- — The named Jamaican rum is the Reserve expression at 40%. The same brand's Gold expression is a multi-country blend — a different product, not a direct substitute for the Jamaican component.
- — Keep the lime fresh and measured. With two sweet liqueurs and grenadine, the acidity is what stops the drink cloying.
- — At 3.32 UK units this is a strong tropical serve. The crushed ice and juice dilute each sip but do not remove alcohol.
Related serves
For the passionfruit original-style classic, make a Hurricane
For another two-rum tiki serve, try a Zombie
Frequently asked questions
Is there one authentic Rum Runner recipe?
No. The drink was invented in the Florida Keys and recipes vary widely. This page follows one specific published modern specification with named bottles rather than claiming a definitive original.
Are the banana and blackberry ingredients syrups?
No. They are alcoholic liqueurs — 25% and 16% ABV in the named Giffard bottlings — and they are counted in the 3.32-unit total.
Can I use spiced rum?
Yes as a labelled adaptation. Replace the 30ml gold-rum component with the same measure of Dilay; keep the Jamaican rum and both liqueurs unchanged.
How does it differ from a Hurricane?
A Hurricane is built on passionfruit syrup and lemon; a Rum Runner uses banana and blackberry liqueurs with pineapple and lime. Different fruit, different structure.
Try Dilay 1949 Panjabi Spiced Rum in this recipe.
BUY DILAY 1949 PANJABI SPICED RUMRecipe references
- Difford's Guide: Rum Runner specification
- Giffard: Banane du Brésil strength
- Giffard: Crème de Mûre strength
- Master of Malt: Crossfire Hurricane Reserve Jamaican rum
Our method and spiced adaptations are described separately from the referenced classic specifications.
Approx. 3.32 UK units per serving from the measured alcoholic ingredients. 3.32 UK units per serving with the named bottles: 30ml at 40%, 30ml at 37.5%, 30ml at 25% and 15ml at 16%. The juices and grenadine are non-alcoholic; check your labels.
Please drink responsibly. 18+. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.