Looking for a refreshing summer cocktail with a nostalgic twist? The Rocket Pop Rum Runner combines those classic red, white, and blue popsicle flavors with a grown-up kick, making it just right for warm weather gatherings.
This easy-to-make cocktail only needs a few simple ingredients: white rum, blue curaçao, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda. You get a layered drink that looks as good as it tastes—honestly, it’s a showstopper at summer holidays and pool parties.
The Rocket Pop Rum Runner brings a sweet, fruity flavor with a nice tangy edge. Tropical rum, cherry, and citrus all come together for a balanced drink that works for both cocktail fans and casual sippers—pretty versatile, really.
Equipment
- Tall hurricane or collins glass
- Jigger (for measuring)
- Bar spoon for layering
- Blender (optional)
Ingredients
Base Spirits:
- 1 oz white rum
- 1 oz coconut rum
- 1 oz blue curaçao
Mixers:
- 1 oz grenadine
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 2 oz lemon-lime soda
- Crushed ice
Garnish (optional):
- Cherry
- Pineapple wedge
- Small paper umbrella
Instructions
- Fill your glass about a third of the way with crushed ice.
- In a separate cup, mix the white and coconut rums with pineapple juice.
- Add a little more crushed ice on top.
- Mix the blue curaçao with lemon-lime soda.
- Using the back of a spoon again, slowly pour the blue mixture to make the top layer.
- Garnish if you want, and serve right away.
Notes
Tasting Notes
The Rocket Pop Rum Runner packs a bold punch of fruit flavors with tropical rum in the background. That first sip is all sweet berry from the grenadine, then you get a little tart kick from the blue curaçao.
Once you mix it up, it really does taste a lot like the popsicle it’s named after. The layers give you different flavors as you go, which is kind of fun.
Flavor Profile:
- Top layer (red):Â Sweet cherry, maybe a little pomegranate vibe
- Middle layer (white):Â Coconut rum, some light citrus
- Bottom layer (blue): Tangy blue curaçao, subtle orange
It starts off sweet, then you get a slightly tart finish. The rum is there, but it doesn’t take over—it just ties the whole thing together.
Sweetness is pretty balanced. Grenadine brings the sugar, but the citrus keeps it from getting cloying.
The booze is noticeable but not overwhelming. At around 15% ABV, it’s stronger than wine but not as punchy as straight spirits.
Texture & Mouthfeel:
- Smooth and cooling
- Light fizz if you use lemon-lime soda
- Refreshing every sip
The layered look makes for a fun drinking experience as everything slowly blends together. Serve it super cold for the best refreshment—trust me, it’s worth it.
Substitute
Don’t have all the ingredients for a Rocket Pop Rum Runner? No worries—you can still whip up this colorful cocktail with a few easy swaps.
For the rum, just about any white rum will do the trick. Bacardi, Captain Morgan, or even a coconut rum can stand in for the classic version.
If you’re out of blue curaçao, try grabbing any blue liqueur you’ve got on hand. Or, honestly, regular curaçao with a drop of blue food coloring works in a pinch.
Common Substitutions:
- Grenadine: Cherry syrup or pomegranate juice
- Blue Curaçao: Blue raspberry syrup with vodka
- White Rum: Vodka or tequila
- Lemon-Lime Soda: Club soda with a splash of lemon juice
If you want to make it non-alcoholic, swap the rum for lemon-lime soda. Fruit syrups can step in for the liqueurs, and honestly, the kids or non-drinkers won’t feel left out with those bright layers.
Trying to cut back on sugar? Go for diet soda and sugar-free syrups. You’ll still get that eye-catching look, just with fewer calories.

