Enjoy the flavors of fall with this creamy root beer rum cocktail recipe! Rum, root beer, and Cream create a genuinely delightful beverage.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 2 oz Dark Rum
- 6 oz Root Beer
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream - for garnish, optional
- Maraschino cherry - for garnish, optional
Highball Glass
Measuring Jigger
Long Spoon
Prep Glass: Put 1 scoop vanilla ice cream in your highball glass.
Add Rum: Pour 2 oz Dark Rum over the ice cream.
Add Root Beer: Slowly pour 6 oz Root Beer into the glass.
Stir Gently: Use a long spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
Garnish: Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for garnish.
Substitutes:
- Dark Rum: If you don't have dark rum, you can use bourbon for a different flavor profile. I've also used coffee liqueur for a unique twist.
- Root Beer: You can substitute root beer with Sarsaparilla or malt soda (like Pony Malta). If you can’t find any of these two alternatives, you can also use cola or ginger beer as a substitute. It changes the taste but still gives that fizzy kick.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Feel free to use coconut milk ice cream or almond milk ice cream as a dairy-free option.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Dark Rum Substitute: You can omit the rum or use a non-alcoholic dark rum substitute; these are available in the market and do a good job mimicking the rum flavor. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own dark rum substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla, cinnamon, clove, allspice, and banana are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover, and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary, and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea rum” can be kept for up to a week.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular dark rum, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Ice Cream Substitute: Use a vegan-friendly substitute like coconut milk ice cream or almond milk ice cream.
- Whipped Cream Substitute: Opt for a vegan whipped cream alternative; there are several options available in the market, or you can also make it at home using plant-based heavy cream as a base.
- Maraschino Cherries: Be sure to use vegan-friendly garnishes. Some maraschino cherries are colored with cochineal (a type of insect), so look for brands that don't use animal products.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these vegan substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a vegan version.