One of the hottest lifestyle trends in Australia for summer is taking micro-holidays: short, travel-like moments that rejuvenate the soul without breaking the bank balance. And our favourite way to have one is relaxing with rum cocktails.

Rum cocktails taste like summer. The versatile spirit pairs well with various mixers, allowing for a wide range of tropical-themed, delicious drinks. Rum shines when shaken and stirred with flavours such as mint, lime, coconut, pineapple and ginger.

While sitting at a rooftop bar sipping rum cocktails with a view of the ocean would be a spectacular way to kick back and have a micro-holiday, mixing yourself a drink at home to sip in the afternoon sun is equally refreshing.

We asked Tanduay, the world’s biggest-selling rum brand, for their five favourite rum cocktails and recipes that are guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on a summer holiday.

Summer Bonfire

• 30ml Tanduay Asian Rum Silver
• 15ml lime juice
• 60ml pineapple juice
• 9ml simple syrup
• 1 egg yolk
• hot sauce

METHOD: Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker except pineapple juice. Dry shake without ice. Add pineapple juice and ice and shake briskly. Strain into a lowball glass and garnish with chilli flakes and fresh chilli.

Tropical Queen

• 30ml Tanduay Asian Rum Gold
• 20ml Campari
• 30ml pineapple juice
• 15ml passionfruit syrup

METHOD: Shake all the ingredients with ice and pour into a highball glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge, pineapple leaves and a tropical flower.

Treasure Cove

• 60ml Especia Spiced Rum
• 15ml maple syrup
• 75ml almond liqueur
• 60ml apple cider
• 3 dashes Angostura Bitters

METHOD: Fill glass halfway wit crushed ice. Add rum, maple syrup. almond liqueur and apple cider. Stir with a swizzle stick until well mixed and the glass turns frosty. Top with bitters and fill the rest of the glass with crushed ice. Garnish with an apple slice.

Lost Island Ruins

• 60ml Especia Spiced Rum
• 30ml lager
• 15ml lime juice
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• Ginger beer

METHOD: Place lime juice in a beer glass. Fill with ice. Add hot sauce, rum, hot sauce and ginger beer. Top with beer and garnish with a lime wedge.

Beergarita

30ml Tanduay Asian Rum Silver
30ml Tanduay Asian Rum Gold
15ml lime juice
15ml lemon juice
30ml Cointreau
30ml hazelnut syrup
60ml dark beer

METHOD: Shake first six ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled glass. Top with beer and garnish with lemon and lime wedges.

The award-winning Tanduay rum portfolio is now available at retailers including Liquorland, Costco, ALM, ILG, Thirsty Camel and IGA.

Tanduay rum builds its presence in the Australian market