When I first tried a Dead Man’s Fingers cocktail, I didn’t expect it to be so easy to throw together—or to pack in so much flavor.
This drink mixes rum with a handful of simple ingredients, creating something genuinely fun and a bit different for any party or just a chill night at home.
If you want a recipe that stands out but doesn’t eat up your whole evening, this is the one I keep coming back to.
I love how I can mix it up in just a few minutes and still surprise my friends with something new.
Dead Man’s Fingers Cocktail Recipe
When I make a Dead Man’s Fingers cocktail, I’m all about having the right gear, getting the balance right, and following a few clear steps.
This drink brings together spiced and coconut rum for a smooth blend, plus a few easy extras to boost the flavor.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: I use this to mix everything well.
- Strainer: Keeps out ice shards and fruit bits.
- Jigger or measuring cup: For measuring the rum and juice.
- Bar spoon: Handy if you need to stir.
- Rocks glass, highball, or cocktail glass: Any of these will do.
- Ice cubes: Gotta keep it cold.
- Knife and cutting board: For slicing apples or prepping garnishes.
- Citrus juicer (optional): Makes squeezing fresh juice easier.
Having everything ready just makes the whole process smoother.
I like to lay out my tools before I start, so I’m not scrambling mid-mix.
Ingredients
- 50 ml Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum
- 25 ml Dead Man’s Fingers Coconut Rum
- 75 ml apple juice (fresh is best)
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 tsp simple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
- Ice cubes
- Apple slice or wedge (for garnish)
- Fresh mint sprig (optional, for aroma)
Fresh apple juice really lifts the drink, if you’ve got it.
Bitters add a subtle edge, and the simple syrup lets you tweak the sweetness just how you like it.
Topping it with an apple slice or a mint sprig? Makes it look pretty sharp.
Instructions
- Add ice cubes to the shaker, filling it about halfway.
- Pour in Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum and Coconut Rum.
- Add apple juice, bitters, and simple syrup (if you want it sweeter).
- Cover and shake for about 20 seconds to chill and blend everything.
- Fill your glass with fresh ice.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass, right over that new ice.
- Garnish with an apple slice and a sprig of mint, if you’re feeling fancy.
I always give it a good shake so the flavors really come together.
Pouring over fresh ice keeps it cold without watering things down too fast.
Notes
I usually find my favorite balance by tinkering with the bitters and syrup.
If it’s coming off too sharp, a little more syrup smooths things out.
Want more coconut? Just up the coconut rum a bit.
Sometimes I swap apple juice for pineapple juice—why not?
If I’m out of Dead Man’s Fingers rum, any decent spiced or coconut rum will do, though the taste will shift a little.
Fresh juice and garnish really make a difference, honestly.
And I try not to over-shake, since I like the flavors to stay bright.
It’s super easy to double or tweak this recipe, so don’t be shy about experimenting.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker or mason jar with lid
- Rocks glass, highball, or cocktail glass
- Knife and cutting board
- Citrus juicer (optional)
Ingredients
- 50 ml Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum
- 25 ml Dead Man’s Fingers Coconut Rum
- 75 ml fresh apple juice
- 2 dashes bitters Angostura or orange bitters
- 1 tsp simple syrup optional
- Ice cubes
- Apple slice for garnish
- Fresh mint sprig optional
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add spiced rum, coconut rum, apple juice, bitters, and simple syrup.
- Shake well for about 20 seconds until chilled.
- Fill your serving glass with fresh ice.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass over the ice.
- Garnish with an apple slice and a mint sprig, if using.
Tasting Notes
First sip of the Dead Man’s Fingers cocktail, and what jumps out is how smooth and sweet it is.
There’s a gentle vanilla note mingling with the rum, making it mellow and kind of inviting.
Flavor Highlights:
- Light vanilla notes
- Sweet orange from the liqueur
- Touch of tropical fruit from pineapple juice
The texture is creamy, almost soft.
There’s a hint of spice from the rum, but it never takes over—just enough to keep it interesting.
After a sip, you get this warm little glow on your tongue.
The pineapple brings in a bit of tartness, which helps balance the sweetness.
That balance is what makes this cocktail so easy to drink, at least for me.
What stands out most for me is the mix of:
- Creamy sweetness
- Citrus brightness
- Mild spiced rum warmth
I like how the flavors shift as the ice melts—everything gets a little smoother, somehow.
Each ingredient gets its moment, but nothing feels out of place.
Must Have Ingredients
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Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Collins Candied Ginger in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
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Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
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Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
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Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
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Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
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Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
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WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
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Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
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Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
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Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
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Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
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1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
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Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
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Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Substitute
Sometimes I run out of an ingredient, or maybe I just feel like switching things up in my Dead Man’s Fingers cocktail. It’s honestly good to know what I can swap in without too much fuss.
Equipment Substitutes:
- No shaker? I just grab a jar with a tight lid—works fine.
- I’ll use a spoon if I can’t find my muddler.
- Any sturdy glass gets the job done instead of a mixing glass.
Ingredient Substitutes:
- Rum: If Dead Man’s Fingers Rum is missing from my shelf, I’ll reach for spiced rum or sometimes even dark rum. Not exactly the same, but close enough for me.
- Pineapple Juice: Mango or orange juice? Both bring that tropical vibe, so I don’t stress if I’m out of pineapple.
- Lime Juice: Lemon juice steps in as a backup, and honestly, it’s not a bad swap.
- Bitters: I’ll use orange bitters or Angostura—depends what’s kicking around in the cupboard.
- Simple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup works just fine if I’m out of simple syrup.
Instruction Substitutes:
- Can’t shake the cocktail? I just stir it well with ice. It’s not rocket science.
- I’ll use whatever juice I have—fresh is nice, but bottled works in a pinch.
- No ice crusher? I toss ice in a bag and give it a good whack with a rolling pin.
Honestly, these little swaps keep things flexible. I don’t let missing ingredients stop me from enjoying a good drink.
