The Ultimate Ranking Of Coconut Rums, Based On Reviews

When you think of the perfect tropical getaway, drinking fruity rum cocktails on the beach is often a part of the equation. Many of these are made from coconut rum, which was popularized when the Malibu brand entered the market in 1980. Coconut rum is produced by combining white or dark rum with a coconut flavoring of some kind, which can include coconut water, milk, or puréed coconut meat.

Because of the diverse techniques and types of rum used to create coconut rum, the marketplace is flooded with a variety of brands that range in flavor from rich and nutty to cloying and synthetic. They also vary in alcohol levels, with some being on the lower end, with an ABV of 21%, and others surpassing an ABV of 40%.

Coconut rum might be tempting for beginners, but all of these differences make navigating the ABC's of drinking and purchasing a perfect coconut rum can feel like a daunting prospect. That's why we decided to do a lot of the legwork for you, digging through reviews to discover the best of the best coconut rums out there.

Coming in dead last in this round-up of coconut rum is the variety from the Largo Bay brand. This white rum is produced in Barbados and contains 21% ABV. While it's reportedly an award winner, this rum doesn't perform particularly well in reviews and rankings.

It scores a pitiful 3.3 out of 10 on Rum Ratings, where one reviewer says, "It tastes like someone's science experiment gone wrong and I was the guinea pig that tested it." It isn't rated much better by the Inu ā kena blog, which is written by certified spirits professional Josh Miller, who is a member of the United States Bartenders' Guild. He calls it "sickly sweet" with an "artificial coconut" flavor. That said, it does have some fans, with one reviewer drinking it regularly and praising its flavor, which just proves that taste is quite subjective.

Near the bottom of this ranking of coconut rum is the one from Captain Morgan. This light Caribbean rum contains 35% ABV and is a popular seller, despite its often questionable reviews. It lands dead last in a round-up of coconut rums on the Inu ā kena blog, where Josh Miller says that the taste is "So sweet and just hideous. Like I just licked a candy dish left out in the sun. No coconut flavor—just a horrible mix of fake fruits." It doesn't fare much better on Rum Ratings, where it scores a mediocre 3.5 out of 10, with reviewers calling it "Cheap and foul" and "Captain artificial."

That said, it does have 356 reviews on Influenster.com, where it scores a 4.61 out of 5, though it seems like most of the fans there are using it as a mixer for various cocktails, especially frozen piña coladas. If you're looking for something widely available that won't break the bank and can be tossed into a batch of fruity mixed drinks for a party, this may be a suitable option. Otherwise, skip it.

No round-up of coconut rum would be complete without including the one that started it all, Malibu. Interestingly, even though Malibu is made from white rum, it's actually considered to be a coconut liqueur. It contains 21% ABV and comes in a variety of flavors, though for the purposes of this ranking, we are only considering the original version.

Again, it doesn't perform particularly well on the Inu ā kena blog, where it's called "Very sweet with a bitter aftertaste." It also does not score highly on Rum Ratings, where it gets a 4.2 out of 10. That said, it averages a rating of 4.8 out of 5 with 349 reviews on Total Wine & More. It was also named the coconut rum that was "Best for Piña Coladas" by Liquor.com, where it's lauded for its accessibility, sippability, and prowess as a mixer for popular drinks. Perhaps the greatest asset of this brand is its recognizability and staying power, which may play into the nostalgia and sense of security consumers feel when they buy a bottle of Malibu.

Bacardi may not be a particularly exotic or elusive brand, but its consistency, affordability, and name recognition definitely earn it a place in this ranking. Produced in Puerto Rico, Bacardi is a light rum that's steeped with real coconut essence. It has a modest alcohol content of 35% ABV and a sweet, but not cloying coconut flavor.

With a 5.4 out of 10 ranking on Rum Ratings, this coconut rum has a decent following and reputation as something "middle of the road." That said, it fares quite well, landing in first place, on the Inu ā kena blog, where it is appreciated for having a flavor that's "Much more like a coconut rum than the others." Lastly, it was named "Best Easy To Find" coconut rum by Liquor.com, where it is called "Sweet, refreshing, and intensely flavorful." This is a decent rum for casual drinking, but it's nothing to write home about.

Next on this ranking is RumHaven coconut liqueur. This beverage, which contains 21% ABV, is made from premium Caribbean rum, pure cane sugar, and coconut water, with no artificial ingredients to bolster the coconut flavor. Its clear color and clean flavor make it ideal to drink both straight or blended into cocktails.

Rum Ratings give RumHaven a score of 6.8 out of 10, with notable review headlines reading "Really darn good," "Kind of tastes like real coconut," and "Genuine coconut flavor." And, one Reddit reviewer mentions, "Only decent one available in my state is rumhaven coconut, but it seems to be labeled as a liquor, not rum. Far better than something like Malibu tho." Lastly, it garners a rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Total Wine & More, where a reviewer remarks "This is light and refreshing like coconut water! NOT like suntan lotion like Malibu's icky sweetness."

Another rum-based coconut liqueur that deserves a spot on this ranking is the Mahina Coco made by Rhum Clément. This distillery, which was established on the island of Martinique in 1887, produces appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) quality rum. The Mahina Coco is made from just three ingredients: Coconut, rum, and sugarcane syrup. It has a modest 18% ABV, making it infinitely sippable.

This rum garners favorable comments among drinkers, including receiving a respectable 6.3 out of 10 score on Rum Ratings, where one reviewer states "Clement has unlocked real coconut flavor in a way no other producer has. If you eat fresh coconut with the dark brown skin under the shell with a little coconut water you would approximate the flavor profile of this drink."

Cotton & Reed coconut rum is next on this ranking, made by a distillery located in Washington D.C. All of its products are made from domestically sourced black dot molasses and cane syrup, and fermented, distilled, processed, and bottled on-site. The coconut rum was originally a limited-edition product that graduated to permanent status, produced using real coconut oil and dried organic coconut flakes, which gives it a heady coconut flavor but without a lingering artificial aftertaste. It's 32.5% ABV and is the color of toasted almonds.

This rum earns a respectable 6.0 out of 10 score on Rum Ratings, where a reviewer notes "Pours clear. Medium coconut aroma, nothing chemical. Flavor is very similar to drinking coconut water. The coconut meat really emerges." Internet commenters elsewhere agree, praising this rum's flavor. Being free from synthetic flavors and not weighed down by rich coconut milk or cream makes this rum a great choice for sipping or mixing into cocktails.

Another home-grown American rum worthy of inclusion in this list is the Coconut Carolina Rum from Muddy River Distillery, located in Mount Holly, North Carolina. This distillery opened its doors in 2011 and quickly garnered international attention, winning 2 gold medals at the Miami Rum Fest, which is the largest rum festival in the world. Its Coconut Carolina Rum is sweetened with real, fresh coconut and contains 35% ABV.

People who've tried this rum are quick to recommend it to others, and it garners a 7.0 out of 10 score on Rum Ratings, where reviewers note its impressive balance of flavor and proof. One reviewer gave it a glowing recommendation, explaining that despite this rum not looking particularly special, "once you open the bottle and smell the aromas come out, you know this rum will taste something to come back to."

Coconut Cartel Rum gets a lot of love on social media and message boards, landing it next on this ranking. This distillery's name is a nod to how it got its start by smuggling coconuts from an island off the coast of El Salvador and transporting them to hotels and restaurants in Southern Florida. The small-batch rums it produces are made using pure Guatemalan cane sugar and augmented with fresh coconut water. It comes in a couple of varieties, including the amber-hued Añejo or Special and the white rum-based Blanco. These rums boast an ABV of over 40%.

The Special was named the rum that's "Best for Sipping" by Liquor.com, lauding its "smooth and rich mouthfeel marked by tropical notes." Rum Ratings gives this libation a score of 6.9 out of 10, with one reviewer saying it's the "Best at the bar." Drinkers elsewhere agree, with some making it their go-to choice of coconut rum.

Up next on this ranking is a potentially surprising inclusion, the coconut rum from Blue Chair Bay Rum. This brand is the brainchild of country superstar Kenny Chesney, who was inspired by his island lifestyle to create a rum with authentic Caribbean flavors. The blended rum made from sugarcane molasses contains 24.5% ABV and is sweetened with natural coconut flavors.

This rum earns a 7.1 out of 10 score on Rum Ratings, where it gets predominantly favorable reviews. It also gets a respectable rating of 84/100 on the Rum Howler Blog, calling it "a thoroughly enjoyable flavoured rum" and describing it as smooth and sweet without being cloying. Meanwhile, Blue Chair is frequently recommended in internet discussions on coconut rum, and it's a favorite of one Reddit user, in particular, who calls it "Sweet but perfect."

Don Q Coco Rum is another offering that performs consistently in reviews and rankings across the internet. This Puerto Rican brand has been producing rum since 1865, and the coconut variety is made from rum aged for 1 to 1½ years, and is flavored with real coconut extract. It has an alcohol content of 21% ABV, and has won a number of awards including a Platinum Medal "Best in Category" for flavored rums at the Sip Awards and a Silver Award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 

This libation enjoys a 4.9 out of 5 ranking on Total Wine & More and was named the "Best Budget" coconut rum by Liquor.com, noting that it is good as-is or added to a variety of rum cocktail recipes like these. Reviewers elsewhere agree, lauding this rum as good to drink neat or as a mixer, appreciating how it doesn't have much of an alcoholic burn to it.

For a rum that's brimming with tropical notes, you don't have to travel beyond the shores of Sarasota, Florida. Siesta Key Toasted Coconut Rum has been a mainstay of Drum Circle Distilling since 2007. This small-batch rum is made from Florida molasses, flavored with all-natural, 100% toasted coconut flakes. The alcohol content is rather high at 35% ABV, but is mellowed by notes of honey, caramel, and vanilla.

This rum scores an impressive 89 points from Wine Enthusiast. It enjoys a ranking of 4.8 out of 5, with 427 reviews on Total Wine & Spirits, while review on Got Rum says, "The higher proof certainly intensifies the flavor, and what I interpret as vanilla in the original product reads more as rich, freshly made caramel, and the toasted coconut flavor is also more intense, giving the impression of an even more intense toasting to the coconut." One Reddit user compliments this rum's rich flavor, noting that it "packs enough punch to taste of coconut in a cocktail."

Landing in third place on this ranking of coconut rums is the one from Brinley Gold Shipwreck. This molasses-based rum is hand-crafted and naturally flavored on the island of St. Kitts, and has an ABV of 36%. In reviews, it's received scores of 90% and higher, including a 91-point rating from the Beverage Tasting Institute — the highest it's ever given for a flavored rum (via Internet Wines).

Winner of the coconut rum "Best for Mai Tais" in a round-up by Liquor.com, this flavorsome rum boasts notes of baking spices, toasted coconut, and caramel. It also scores a 7.3 out of 10 on Rum Ratings, where one fan calls it their daily go-to beverage, saying, "Fantastic rum at its price point. Good sipping and better mixer." Lastly, this beverage scores a perfect 5-star rating on Total Wine & More, where one reviewer calls it the best coconut rum they've tasted, praising its smooth flavor.

The runner-up in this ranking of coconut rum, coming in at second place, is from Planteray Cut & Dry. The buzz surrounding this rum is definitely high on social media and message boards, with some people searching high and low for a bottle of the stuff. Produced by Maison Ferrand in the Bahamas, this rum is made from the highest quality sugarcane and dried, locally sourced coconuts, using a ratio of one coconut per liter of rum. It contains 40% ABV.

This rum scores a favorable 7.5 out of 10 on Rum Ratings, while Imbibe Magazine describes the taste, saying, "The rich aroma smells like a dark chocolate-dipped macaroon ... Complemented with notes of vanilla and spice, the rum itself carries an implied sweetness from the aroma. But on the palate, it remains balanced with a pleasingly dry finish." Agreeing on the fine flavor of this drink, Wine and Whiskey Globe says, "Despite the intensity of the coconut, it manages to keep it from overpowering the pour. That's not to say the coconut isn't front and center — it's unmistakable. But it's also quite elegant."

The winner of "Best in Show" in this ranking of coconut rums is Kōloa Kaua'i Coconut Rum. The Kōloa Rum Co. makes its rum using pure "tall cane" sugar and filtered rainwater sourced from the volcanic soils of Mount Waiʻaleʻale. This coconut rum is double-distilled and has an ABV of 40%.

This rum was named "Best Overall" by Liquor.com, praising it for its natural coconut flavor that reflects the terroir of the island of Kauai. It also scores a solid 7.7 out of 10 on Rum Ratings and an 8 out of 10 from the Inu ā kena blog. Drinkers are no less enthusiastic about this brand with one Reddit user saying, "Koloa is one of my top rums (not just coconut rums, but rums in general). It's so smooth and flavorful, and it doesn't have that artificial sunscreen taste that some lower quality rums do."

To rank the coconut rums available on the marketplace today, we took a deep dive into the depths of the internet, scouring social media, messaging boards, the websites of popular liquor stores, and the blogs of experts on the subject to determine which ones to include. Once we found the most commonly referenced and popular coconut rums, we set out to compare and contrast them.

We determined positions in the ranking by aggregating the scores of reviews as well as factoring in the frequency of mentions on "best of" lists. We also considered specific characteristics that were either remarkable or otherwise differentiated a particular brand from others in the marketplace. We hope that this ranking will help you find the exact coconut rum you need, whether it be for sipping on a hot summer day or using it in a recipe for a mai tai or another island-themed drink.