The Spiced Rum Guide
The Best Spiced Rum Mixers: What to Mix With Spiced Rum
Last updated 26 August 2026
Quick answer The best mixers for spiced rum are ginger beer, cola, ginger ale, apple juice and soda water with lime. Ginger beer is the standout — its dry heat lifts the rum's warming spice — while cola is the easy crowd-pleaser. Below, every good mixer ranked, with the ratio to use.
Try Dilay 1949 Panjabi Spiced Rum.
BUY DILAY 1949 PANJABI SPICED RUMThe best mixers for spiced rum, ranked
- Ginger beer — the best of all. Dry, fiery ginger beer amplifies the warm spice in the rum without smothering it. Build 1 part rum to 3 parts ginger beer over ice with a wedge of lime. Our signature serve.
- Cola — the classic, easy option. Cola's caramel sweetness rounds out the rum's spice. Add lime to stop it being too sweet. Spiced rum & coke.
- Ginger ale — a lighter, sweeter, more delicate alternative to ginger beer. Good if you find ginger beer too fiery.
- Apple juice — an underrated autumn/winter match. Cloudy apple juice and spiced rum taste like liquid apple pie; serve over ice or gently warmed. It is also the base of our spiced rum punch recipe.
- Soda water + lime — the lowest-calorie, most refreshing serve. Lets the rum lead, with bubbles and citrus to lengthen it. Add mint and sugar and you are most of the way to our spiced rum mojito recipe.
- Lemonade — sweet and simple; a summer garden serve, best with plenty of lime and mint.
A quick word on ratios
For long drinks, start at 1 part spiced rum to 3 parts mixer (about 50ml rum to 150ml mixer) over a full glass of ice, then adjust to taste. Always add a squeeze of fresh lime — it cuts sweetness and lifts the spice.
For neat pours, ice and cocktails as well as mixers, explore our guide to how to drink spiced rum.
What not to mix it with
Skip heavy, sugary energy drinks and overly sweet cordials — spiced rum is already lightly sweetened, so piling on more sugar flattens its character. When in doubt, add lime, not sugar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best mixer for spiced rum?
Ginger beer. Its dry, spicy heat complements the rum's warming spice better than any other mixer. Cola is the best easy-drinking alternative.
What can I mix with spiced rum?
Ginger beer, cola, ginger ale, apple juice, soda water with lime, and lemonade all work well. A squeeze of fresh lime improves nearly all of them.
Is spiced rum and coke a good drink?
Yes — it's a classic. Cola's sweetness balances the rum's spice; add lime to keep it balanced.
What is the healthiest mixer for spiced rum?
Soda water with fresh lime is the lowest-calorie mixer, keeping a serve to around 65–70 calories. See spiced rum calories.
Choosing a festive bottle to mix with? See our guide to the best rum for Christmas.
Dilay is for adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.