The rum version of the American Pie cocktail isn’t as mainstream as the classic whiskey-based one (like Guy Fieri’s), but several creative riffs exist that swap in rum for a tropical or spiced twist while keeping the “apple pie” essence—think sweet apple notes, warm spices (cinnamon, caramel), and a boozy backbone.
Here are two standout rum-forward versions:1. American Pie No. 2 (from Mathieu Teisseire)This is a light, refreshing highball-style drink that’s easy to batch and perfect for casual sipping. It leans into caramel and cinnamon for that baked-pie warmth, with dark rum adding depth.
Ingredients (per drink):
- 30 ml (1 oz) dark rum
- 15 ml (½ oz) caramel syrup
- 20 ml (â…” oz) cinnamon syrup
- 120 ml (4 oz) apple juice
- Soda water (to top)
- Ice
- Optional garnish: apple slice or cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice.
- Add the dark rum, caramel syrup, cinnamon syrup, and apple juice.
- Stir well to combine.
- Top with soda water for a fizzy lift.
- Garnish if desired.
The result is sweet and spiced with a crisp apple finish—less heavy than the original, more like a spiced apple cider spritz with rum kick. Dark rum (such as aged Jamaican or Barbados styles) works best for richer molasses. Difford’s Guide American Pie (Rum-Enhanced Variation)This more complex, stirred coupe cocktail uses a small pour of overproof black rum alongside applejack (apple brandy) for layered apple and spice flavours. It’s drier and more sophisticated, with herbal bitterness from amaro balancing the sweetness.
Ingredients (per drink)
- 45 ml (1½ oz) applejack (or apple brandy)
- 15 ml (½ oz) overproof black rum (e.g., Plantation O.F.T.D.)
- 15 ml (½ oz) amaro (such as Averna)
- 15 ml (½ oz) sweet vermouth (e.g., Carpano Antica)
- 7.5 ml (¼ oz) cinnamon syrup
- Ice (for stirring)
- Optional garnish: apple slice or expressed orange peel
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until well-chilled and diluted.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
The overproof rum brings bold, funky depth and a touch of heat that plays nicely with the applejack’s fruitiness and the cinnamon. It’s closer to a Manhattan or Negroni riff with pie spices.
Other Rum Twists on the Theme
- Many home bartenders simply adapt the Guy Fieri recipe by replacing the whiskey with spiced rum (like Captain Morgan or a good dark rum) and keeping the apple liqueur + cranberry juice. It becomes sweeter and more approachable.
- Hot or warm versions: Spiced rum + hot apple cider, cinnamon, and a pat of butter for a cozy “hot buttered rum apple pie” vibe—great for colder weather.
- Some include vanilla or caramel elements to amplify the dessert-like quality.
Rum versions generally taste fruitier and can feel less “American whiskey” and more island-meets-fall. Dark or spiced rum adds warmth and complexity, while lighter rums keep it brighter.
Tips
- Adjust sweetness by dialing back the syrups or using unsweetened apple cider.
- Garnish with fresh apple, cinnamon stick, or a light nutmeg grate for extra pie aroma.
- Strength: Similar to the whiskey original—around 15-25% ABV depending on proportions.
