Cinnamon Vanilla Rum Punch Cocktail Recipe

I’ve been on a bit of a cocktail kick lately, and this Cinnamon Vanilla Rum Punch just kind of happened one cozy night at home. Warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla swirl together with smooth rum—honestly, it’s a little bit of comfort in a glass.

It’s one of those drinks that feels festive but doesn’t take much effort. I like bringing it out when friends come over, or even just for a little treat after a long week.

When I’m craving something with a little spice and sweetness, this is what I reach for. The flavors just work—nothing too fancy, but it tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

Cinnamon Vanilla Rum Punch Cocktail Recipe

You get a really nice mix of fruit juices, spiced and light rum, and that mellow vanilla. It’s pretty forgiving, too, so you can tweak it however you like.

Each step is straightforward, and there’s plenty of room to play around with the garnish or even the ratios if you’re feeling adventurous.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker: Makes it easy to get everything blended and chilled.
• Jigger or measuring cup: I eyeball sometimes, but measuring keeps it balanced.
• Hurricane glass or large punch glass: Looks impressive, plus you can pack in the ice.
• Bar spoon: Handy for those last little swirls or adding syrup.
• Fine mesh strainer: Only if you want it super smooth—sometimes I skip this.
• Knife and cutting board: For slicing up fresh citrus.
• Ice: Can’t have a punch without plenty of ice.

Ingredients

• 2 oz light rum or white rum
• 1 oz spiced rum or dark rum
• 1/2 oz coconut rum (optional, but I’m a fan)
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 2 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice or lemon juice
• 1 oz vanilla simple syrup (store bought or homemade)
• 1/2 oz grenadine or pomegranate juice
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• Club soda (a splash, if you want)
• Cinnamon stick (garnish)
• Orange or lime slice (garnish)
• Maraschino cherry (garnish)
• Ice cubes

Instructions

• Pour light rum, spiced rum, coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, vanilla syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a shaker loaded with ice.
• Shake it up for about 20 seconds—don’t skimp, you want it chilly.
• Strain into a hurricane glass filled with fresh ice.
• Take the grenadine or pomegranate juice and pour it slowly down the inside so it settles at the bottom.
• Top with a splash of club soda if you’re feeling bubbly.
• Add a cinnamon stick, a slice of citrus, and a maraschino cherry to finish it off.

Notes

Mixing both light and spiced rum keeps things interesting—sweet, a little spicy, and not too heavy. Coconut rum is optional, but I think it gives the punch a fun, tropical twist.

For the vanilla syrup, I just heat equal parts sugar and water, then stir in a bit of vanilla extract until it all melts together. If you’re into more spice, toss in a pinch of nutmeg or float a cinnamon stick in there.

Layering the grenadine looks cool, especially in a hurricane glass. If I’m making this for a group, I’ll just scale it up and use a big punch bowl.

Fresh juice is best, but honestly, bottled works in a pinch. I usually chill my glass first so the punch stays icy longer.

Tasting Notes

When I take my first sip, the sweet warmth of cinnamon jumps out at me. It blends with the vanilla, giving off this cozy aroma that just begs for another taste.

The rum shows up with a gentle kick. Not overpowering—just enough to perk up the other flavors.

I like how the punch stays light, even with those spiced notes swirling around. The finish is creamy and sweet, mostly from the vanilla.

There’s still a soft hint of cinnamon lingering for a few seconds after each sip. That little echo is pretty satisfying.

Key Flavors I Notice:

• Cinnamon warmth
• Soft vanilla sweetness
• Light rum kick

Texture:
The punch feels smooth and just a bit creamy on my tongue. Thankfully, it’s not heavy or syrupy.

Aroma:
It smells like fresh cinnamon sticks and sweet vanilla—almost like a dessert, honestly.