Bacardi Cocktail Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
The Bacardi Cocktail is a rum sour that turns instantly recognisable thanks to its rosy hue and crisp, citrus-led structure. You’ll find it closely related to the Daiquiri, with the key twist being a measure of grenadine for colour and sweetness. While its exact origin story is often debated, it sits firmly in the early 20th-century wave of rum cocktails that helped bring light rum into the spotlight, and it remains a simple, enduring template for a bright, fruit-tinged sour.
On the palate, white rum provides a clean, lightly sweet base that lets the sharper elements shine. Lemon juice brings a direct, zesty tartness, and the grenadine softens that edge with a pomegranate-like sweetness while adding a gentle, rounded finish. Expect a balance that lands between brisk and candy-pink: citrus first, rum through the middle, and a sweet-tart fade that keeps you coming back for another sip.
Serve it in a cocktail glass when you want something elegant but uncomplicated—ideal as an aperitif or for warm-weather evenings. You’ll enjoy it if you like sours that are refreshing rather than heavy, with a touch of sweetness to smooth the corners. It’s also a great pick for guests who want a classic-style drink that looks celebratory without tasting overly rich.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Tags
Cocktail Colin says:
White rum leads with clean cane notes, sharpened by lemon juice’s bright acidity and rounded by grenadine’s pomegranate sweetness into a rosy, tart-sweet sip. It works because the lemon’s bite keeps the grenadine from feeling syrupy while the rum stays crisp underneath, making it ideal for sour lovers who want a touch of fruit and color.
Method
How to make a Bacardi Cocktail
- White rum 45ml, Lemon juice 20ml, Grenadine 10ml
-
- Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
-
- Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, Garnish with a lime slice and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Bacardi Cocktail with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled for a brighter, more vibrant flavor.
- Add a few dashes of bitters to the shaker for an added layer of complexity.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Bacardi Cocktail?
The Bacardi Cocktail originated in the early 20th century. It was made famous by Bacardi, a Cuban company known for its white rum. The drink became particularly popular in the United States during the 1930s after the Prohibition era. It's often associated with the Cuban and American cocktail scenes, embodying the lively spirit of its time.
How do you properly shake a Bacardi Cocktail?
To properly shake a Bacardi Cocktail, fill a shaker with ice cubes, then add the white rum, lemon juice, and grenadine. Secure the lid or shaker top and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. This method ensures the ingredients are well-mixed, chilled, and slightly diluted, enhancing the drink's flavor. Strain the mix into a cocktail glass to serve.
What are some garnishing tips for a Bacardi Cocktail?
A classic garnish for a Bacardi Cocktail is a thin lemon or lime wheel. You might also consider a maraschino cherry for a touch of color and sweetness. To garnish, simply place the lemon wheel on the rim of the cocktail glass or drop a cherry at the bottom of the glass before pouring in the drink. These garnishes complement the citrus notes of the cocktail.
Can I substitute the white rum in a Bacardi Cocktail with another type of rum?
Yes, you can substitute the white rum in a Bacardi Cocktail with another type of rum, though it will alter the classic taste. Dark rum can offer a richer, more molasses-like flavor, while spiced rum adds warming notes of spices. However, for an experience closest to the original, it's recommended to use a high-quality white rum.
What is the best way to serve a Bacardi Cocktail?
The best way to serve a Bacardi Cocktail is chilled in a cocktail glass. Pre-chill the glass in the freezer for a few minutes before preparation. Serving it this way enhances its refreshing qualities and maintains the perfect sipping temperature. The cocktail's visual appeal is also highlighted in a classic cocktail glass.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Discover this refreshing passion fruit mojito mix
Passion Fruit Mojito
White rum, Lemon juice, Soda water, Sugar / simple syrup, Mint leaves, Passion fruit
Dive into this fruity rum drink that's pure bliss.
Bahama Mama
Coconut rum, Dark rum, White rum, Banana liqueur (crème de banane), Lime juice, Pineapple juice, Orange juice, Grenadine
Dive into this citrusy and spiced island delight
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
White rum, Orange liqueur, Lime juice, Falernum, Sugar / simple syrup
Indulge in this bubbly peach perfection with a twist
Peach Bellini
White rum, Champagne / prosecco, Peach
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments