Cardinal Rum - Dark Rum, Maraschino & Orange Liqueur Cocktail

The Cardinal Rum combines Dark Rum with Maraschino Liqueur, Triple Sec, and Grenadine in a short shaken cocktail. There is no broadly recognized canonical specification for the drink, but the current proportions are coherent: two ounces of rum keep the base spirit dominant while the liqueurs and syrup act as accents.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Dark Rum - provides the molasses, oak, and spice backbone.
• Maraschino Liqueur - adds dry cherry, almond-like, and floral notes.
• Triple Sec - contributes orange flavor and sweetness.
• Grenadine - adds a small amount of pomegranate-style sweetness and color.

Aged rum can replace Dark Rum for a drier oak-driven variation. Cointreau can replace Triple Sec for a cleaner orange profile.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Cocktail Glass

Rum Still Leads the Drink

The supporting ingredients total less than one ounce, which keeps this from becoming a syrupy fruit cocktail. Maraschino and orange liqueur add complexity while the teaspoon of grenadine mainly adjusts color and sweetness.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use aged rum for more oak and less molasses.
• Replace Triple Sec with Cointreau.
• Reduce Grenadine for a drier finish.
• Add a small measure of fresh lime for a brighter sour-style variation.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the serving glass before shaking.
• Measure the Maraschino Liqueur carefully because its flavor is assertive.
• Shake with firm, cold ice until thoroughly chilled.
• Use quality grenadine with pomegranate character.
• Express an orange peel over the drink for extra citrus aroma.