Cardinal Rum – Cherry Citrus Rum Cocktail
A bold, ruby-red cocktail that layers dark rum with Maraschino liqueur, triple sec, and grenadine for a smooth, fruit-forward balance. Easy to shake, striking in the glass, and perfect for evenings when you want something classic yet vivid.
Cardinal Rum Cocktail
The Cardinal Rum Cocktail blends dark rum, Maraschino liqueur, triple sec, and grenadine into a vibrant ruby drink with a bright, layered flavor. It’s simple to make, visually striking, and ideal for relaxed nights or festive gatherings.
Background
While not a century-old classic, the Cardinal Rum Cocktail draws inspiration from mid-century Caribbean bar culture, where rum met European liqueurs to create colorful, balanced drinks that were both easy to love and easy to mix.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Dark Rum – the bold foundation bringing warmth and spice.
- Maraschino Liqueur – adds a touch of cherry sweetness with a subtle nutty note.
- Triple Sec – brightens the mix with citrus clarity.
- Grenadine – gives color and a gentle tart finish.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Chilled cocktail glass
Why You’ll Love It
Vivid, balanced, and effortless. Each sip unfolds from caramel-rich rum to cherry and citrus highlights, finishing with a tart sparkle of grenadine. It’s an eye-catcher that’s as refreshing as it looks.
Substitutions & Variations
- Rum swap: Gold rum works if dark isn’t handy; spiced rum adds warmth.
- Maraschino swap: Cherry brandy or kirsch for sweeter tones.
- Triple Sec swap: Cointreau for drier brightness.
- Grenadine swap: Homemade pomegranate syrup for deeper fruit flavor.
Helpful Tips
- Shake firmly for 10–15 seconds to aerate and chill evenly.
- Serve in a pre-chilled glass for best texture.
- Garnish with a cherry or an orange twist for color contrast.
- Pairs beautifully with grilled pineapple or spiced snacks.
Cardinal Rum Recipe
Type of Glass
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz.
- 1/2 oz. Maraschino Liqueur
- 1/2 oz.
- 1 tsp.
Directions
- Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes.
- Add Dark Rum, Maraschino Liqueur, Triple Sec, and Grenadine.
- Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled Cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cherry or orange twist and serve immediately.
A striking balance of sweetness, citrus, and depth—the Cardinal Rum Cocktail proves you don’t need a long ingredient list to make something memorable.
