How to Drink Bacardi: Straight, Mixed, & More

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Get sippin’ with our best tips & tricks for drinking Bacardi

Reviewed by Sander Raav

Last Updated: December 8, 2023 References

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• Drinking Bacardi Straight
|
• Making Cocktails
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• Mixing with Soft Drinks
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• Q&A

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Bacardi Rum was established in Cuba in 1862 and has been a favorite spirit amongst partygoers, night-clubbers, and dinner guests ever since. Bacardi rums are sweeter and smoother than vodka, making them ideal for a variety of mixed drinks or a straight treat. You can enjoy Bacardi Rum with everything from daiquiris and mojitos to a simple Rum & Coke.

Things You Should Know

• To drink Bacardi straight, pour an ounce (29.57 ml) of Bacardi's Premium Label rum into an old-fashioned glass and sip it slowly.
• Add light rum, triple sec, a banana, lime juice, sugar, and ice to a blender to make a Banana Daiquiri Bacardi cocktail.
• Mix Bacardi with your favorite soft drink for a sweet sip. Rum and Coke is a cult classic!

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Drinking Bacardi Straight or “Neat”

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1. 1
   Choose one of Bacardi's full-bodied rums, such as the Reserva Limitada. Bacardi's Premium Label line of rums have the strongest flavor and are best for drinking Bacardi straight. For a milder flavor, you can choose a lighter Premium label rum, such as the Gran Reserva Diez. Also, if straight rum is too harsh for you, you can choose from a number of sweet, fruit-infused Bacardi labels.

   • Bacardi produces hundreds of rums and several are available in the United States. Experiment and find your favorite!
   • Bacardi offers eight options of fruit-infused rums, including mango, banana, and coconut.
2. 
   2
   Pour about 1 ounce of Bacardi rum into an old-fashioned or “rocks” glass. If you don’t have any “rocks” glasses, you can use a small tumbler, shot glass, or juice glass. Since this is a straight liquor without anything added to dilute it, only pour yourself a small amount at a time.
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3. 
   3
   Take small sips and pace yourself for your health and well-being. Remember that this is straight alcohol and depending on which type of Bacardi you chose, it could be very strong and get you intoxicated very quickly.
4. 
   4
   Use all your senses to really experience the full profile of your rum. Look at the liquid and smell it. Take note of the colors and the scent. It may just look clear and smell like nothing at first, but the more you do this, the more you will notice differences between your drinks and learn what is pleasing to your palate and what is not.

   • Similar to other aged alcohols, rum has complexities. The finer and more aged the rum, the more flavors it will hold. And the more you drink it, the more you will notice the flavor of minerals and hints of fruits or vegetables.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Enjoying Fruity Cocktails

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1. 
   1
   Choose a plain Bacardi label, such as Bacardi Gold, for most cocktails. You can also choose a fruit-infused version, but it will affect the overall flavor of the cocktail. For a smooth rum with an almond and vanilla aftertaste, try Bacardi Superior. Or go with the Bacardi Black for a more intense rum flavor.
2. 
   2
   Remember your beach vacation with a coconut-flavored Pina Colada. To make, slightly mash four pineapple chunks in a cocktail shaker. Mix 35 ml of coconut water, 25 ml of pineapple juice, and 2 tsp of sugar until the sugar dissolves. Then, add 50 ml of Bacardi rum and enough ice to fill the shaker. Shake it up to mix all the ingredients well and serve in a hurricane glass.

   • For added festivity, garnish with a pineapple and serve.
3. 
   3
   Dive into a Caribbean Rum Punch. In fact, make two: one for you and one for your friend. Mix 1/2 oz. lime juice, 4 oz. orange juice, 4 oz. pineapple juice, 1 1/2 oz. dark rum, 1 1/2 oz. light rum, and a splash of grenadine. Pour over ice into two tall glasses and sprinkle nutmeg on top to add a little spice.

   • You can add fresh fruit for visual appeal and flavor. Try an orange slice or a cherry.
4. 
   4
   Create the perfect minty Mojito to cool you off on a hot day.Crush 12 mint leaves and the juice from ½ lime in a tall glass. Pour in 2 tbsp of simple syrup, 1 ½ oz. of your favorite Bacardi rum, and enough club soda and ice to fill the glass. Stir the mixture gently and garnish with a lime wedge and a fresh sprig of mint.
5. 
   5
   Get on the Banana Daiquiri Boat. Banana and Bacardi is so good, you will almost definitely want more than one. Add 1 1/2 – 2 oz. light rum, 1 tbsp triple sec, 1 banana, 1 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 cup crushed ice to a blender and blend until smooth.

   • Garnish with a cherry and a little umbrella for added flair.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mixing Bacardi with Your Favorite Soft Drink

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1. 
   1
   Quench your thirst with a traditional Rum & Coke. This is a quick, easy, and sweet drink for a hot summer’s day. Stir together 1 part Bacardi rum and 3 parts Coke in a small glass. If it's a really hot day, cool it off with a few ice cubes or whiskey stones.

   • You can add more rum and less Coke according to your taste.
2. 
   2
   Celebrate Cuba’s freedom with a lime-infused Cuba Libre. Start with a tall glass 3/4 full of ice. Add 1 part Bacardi rum, 3 parts Coke, and the juice from 2 lime wedges. To finish, drop in the lime wedges and stir gently.

   • The Cuba Libre is the national drink of Cuban independence.
3. 
   3
   Experiment with any cola or other soft drink. Bacardi is a mild and smooth spirit and pairs well with lots of soft drinks. Try Bacardi with Sprite, Dr. Pepper, or mix it with root beer.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  Can you drink Bacardi straight?

  

  Drew Hawkins1

  Community Answer

  Absolutely, you can drink Bacardi straight, or "neat" as it's called. Go with a one of Bacardi's Premium Label line of rums, which have the strongest flavor and are the best to drink straight. Pour about 1 ounce of Bacardi rum into an old-fashioned or “rocks” glass and take small sips to taste all of the subtle notes and flavor profiles of the rum. No matter how you drink Bacardi, always drink responsibly and never drive after you've been drinking.

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• Question

  What is the best way to drink Bacardi rum?

  

  Drew Hawkins1

  Community Answer

  There are all sorts of ways you can drink Bacardi rum. If you have one of their premium dark rums, sip it from a glass to enjoy all of the subtle flavor notes. A plain Bacardi label, such as Bacardi Gold, is always great for making cocktails. You can use a variety of mixers, such as cola and lime to make a Cuba Libra, or just a straightforward Rum & Coke. You could also crush up a bunch of fresh mint leaves on the bottom of a tall glass, pour in some simple syrup, Bacardi rum, and enough club soda and ice to fill the glass to make a refreshing Mojito.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
• Question

  Is Bacardi strong?

  

  Drew Hawkins1

  Community Answer

  Yes, all of Bacardi's spirits such as their rum, tequila, and Bacardi 151 are highly alcoholic liquors that can easily get you intoxicated if you consume too much of it. Bacardi also manufactures pre-mixed drinks that are not as strong as their spirits. No matter how strong a drink is, if you plan to consume alcohol, please drink responsibly and always have a designated driver.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• For a lower calorie version of Bacardi & Coke, use Diet Coke.
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• Bacardi does not have a very high alcohol content, so if you find that ice cubes water it down too much for you, try to chill it with cool whiskey stones or drink it room temperature.
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Warnings

• Bacardi might mix well with a lot of things, but it does not mix with driving.
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• As with all alcohol, pace yourself and drink responsibly.
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