Rum Swizzle
Serves 1 · 5 minutes · Collins glass
Last updated 24 October 2026
The Rum Swizzle is Bermuda's other famous rum drink — two rum styles, falernum and a tumble of fresh citrus and pineapple juices, churned with crushed ice. This page follows a specific published Bermudian-style recipe; bar versions vary widely, and this is not a claim to one universal formula.
Ingredients
- — 30ml BACARDÍ Carta Oro gold rum (37.5% ABV, UK bottling)
- — 30ml Gosling's Black Seal dark rum (40% ABV)
- — 22.5ml John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum (11% ABV; contains almond)
- — 30ml pineapple juice
- — 30ml fresh orange juice
- — 15ml fresh pink grapefruit juice
- — 15ml fresh lime juice
- — 7.5ml fresh lemon juice
- — 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters (about 2ml; 44.7% ABV)
- — Crushed ice
- — A washed pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry, to garnish
Method
- Measure both rums, the falernum, all four juices and the bitters into a collins glass.
- Two-thirds fill the glass with crushed ice and churn with a bar spoon or swizzle stick until the glass frosts.
- Top with more crushed ice, mounding it above the rim.
- Garnish with the pineapple wedge and cherry, add a straw and serve immediately.
Why it works
Two rum styles give depth, falernum supplies clove-and-lime sweetness, and four juices balance each other: pineapple and orange for body, grapefruit and lemon for bite. The churned crushed ice is part of the recipe, providing the dilution a two-rum drink needs.
The classic vs the spiced version
The cited Difford's Guide Bermudian-style specification uses 30ml gold rum, 30ml dark rum, 22.5ml falernum, the four juices and bitters. We keep those measures and name verified UK bottles. Replace only the 30ml gold rum with 30ml Dilay for a clearly labelled spiced adaptation — its cardamom and ginger join falernum's clove — not an extra rum added on top.
Tips for getting it right
- — Velvet Falernum is an alcoholic liqueur with almond ingredients, not alcohol-free syrup. Check allergy information and prevent cross-contact.
- — Our 2ml bitters figure makes the recipe's two dashes an explicit house measure. Dispensers vary; it is not an official conversion.
- — Four juices sounds like a lot, but each is small and measured. Squeeze the citrus fresh; the grapefruit and lemon keep the pineapple and orange from tasting flat.
- — Two rums plus falernum means this tall drink contains 2.66 UK units. The generous ice and juice dilute each sip but do not remove alcohol.
Related serves
For Bermuda's other classic, make the existing Dark & Stormy
For another falernum serve, try a Corn 'n' Oil
Frequently asked questions
Is a rum swizzle the same as a Dark & Stormy?
No. Both are Bermudian, but a Dark & Stormy is dark rum and ginger beer, while a swizzle combines two rums, falernum and four fruit juices churned with crushed ice.
Can I use one rum instead of two?
You can, but the two-style blend is part of this specification's character. If you use one bottle, keep the combined 60ml measure rather than increasing it.
How many units are in a rum swizzle?
With the named bottles and the 2ml bitters measure, 2.66 UK units. The fruit juices and ice dilute the drink but do not reduce that figure.
Can I use spiced rum?
Yes as a labelled adaptation. Replace the 30ml gold-rum component with the same measure of Dilay; keep everything else unchanged.
Try Dilay 1949 Panjabi Spiced Rum in this recipe.
BUY DILAY 1949 PANJABI SPICED RUMRecipe references
- Difford's Guide: Bermuda Rum Swizzle specification
- Master of Malt: Carta Oro 37.5% UK bottling
- Difford's Guide: Velvet Falernum strength
Our method and spiced adaptations are described separately from the referenced classic specifications.
Approx. 2.66 UK units per serving from the measured alcoholic ingredients. 2.66 UK units per serving with the named bottles and the 2ml house bitters measure: 30ml at 37.5%, 30ml at 40%, 22.5ml at 11% and 2ml at 44.7%. The juices are non-alcoholic; check your labels.
Please drink responsibly. 18+. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.