Embrace the season with these winter rum cocktails in Atlanta

The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel in Buckhead boasts a buzzy rooftop bar with well crafted cocktails and elevated bar snacks. St. Julep’s location on the ninth floor of the hotel overlooks East Paces Ferry Road and features miles of views. Chase any chills away with a classic Zombie made with Ghost Coast tiki rum, Appleton Estate rum, Plantation 3-star rum, pomegranate, and citrus. 

Escape to a coastal oasis any time of year at BOHO 115 in Decatur. Everything served is fresh, from the seafood to the cocktails. While the bar mixes up quite a few adventurous options, The Floridita, a simple concoction of rum, fresh lime and sugar, is a classic cocktail that’s sure to bring the sunshine. Choose a seat at the stunning bar downstairs or head upstairs for a window seat overlooking Decatur Square.

Delicious rum drinks at a Vietnamese restaurant and bakery? In addition to pastries and coffee in the mornings and pho, bún, bánh mì, summer rolls, shave ice and other Vietnamese standards the rest of the day, Juniper Cafe mixes amazing cocktails with ingredients like yuzu, ginseng, dragon fruit and hibiscus. Try the Sandbar Nap – this rum cocktail will have you feeling beach vacation relaxed with a mix of rum and ginseng-infused soju, pineapple, passionfruit, honey, lime and angostura bitters.

This eclectic spot is a colorful, enchanting place to pop in amidst the hubbub of the Ponce City Market. The menu of modern American cuisine includes both familiar, comforting dishes and unexpected offerings. This also applies to the cocktail menu, which features a selection of four punches alongside seasonal cocktails and classics. The Polibbean Punch is a rum-forward delight, featuring an explosion of tropical fruits and spices: white rum, guava, cinnamon, lime and jamaica tea.

Whatever the time of year, S.O.S. Tiki Bar in Decatur takes you to a tropical paradise with palm trees, flamingos and plenty of rum drinks. Tiki drinks are a no-fail remedy for the winter doldrums, and S.O.S. has some of the best (not to mention frequent luaus and rum parties). Try the S.O.S. Grog, featuring overproof rums, honey, grapefruit, lime, bitters and soda for a guaranteed tropical warm-up.

This cozy spot in Decatur is inspired by intimate mezcal bars found in Mexico. A stunning array of mezcals and food meant to be paired with the spirit are the focus of Tortuga y Chango, but inventive cocktails incorporate a range of other spirits, bitters and syrups. Try the El Alacran, which mixes rum with Abasolo corn whiskey, reposado tequila, citrus, orgeat, egg white and bitters. Alacran is Spanish for 'scorpion,' and this cocktail’s bite is a real winter warmer.

Home of the original Mai Tai, Trader Vic’s is kitschy yet iconic, and a no-brainer when it comes to rum drinks. Escape to an island paradise with colorful rum drinks like the Menehune or Suffering Bastard, made all the better when served in fun tiki mugs. But here at Trader Vic’s, there’s nothing better than a Mai Tai to take the chill off. The original version of the Mai Tai is made with lime, orgeat, rock candy, orange curaçao and aged rum.

Contemporary Mexican cuisine is the star at this upscale Midtown spot. You’ll find elevated dishes like branzino wrapped in hoja santa leaf, ribeye marinated in tamarind, mushroom-stuffed chicken with romesco sauce and octopus quesadillas, plus an extensive list of Mexican wines to pair. But don’t overlook the innovative cocktail menu. The Contigo Aprendi is a delightful concoction of sous vide pineapple rum, grapefruit, maraschino chili guero and Peychaud’s bitters, a perfect match for the restaurant’s warm environs.

This Reynoldstown restaurant and rum bar may be “unapologetically inauthentic," according to its owners, but the island-inspired dishes (guava barbecue ribs, jerk chicken, rice and beans) are 100 percent real fun. You’ll find Cuban, Jamaican, Caribbean, “Floribian” and a host of flavors that scream sunshine and chill vibes. With over 30 rums, the bar has plenty of options for winter warmers, but a classic Hurricane is one rum drink that will put you on island time whatever the weather.

This Beltline brewpub in the Old Fourth Ward offers an extensive selection of beers and a menu of pub faves (think burgers, salads, wings, pimento cheese, soft pretzels). It’s a perfect spot for groups with varied tastes, so if you’re craving a rum drink but your crew favors beer, have no fear, there’s a cocktail menu featuring well-made classics including a tasty Dark & Stormy that will chase away any trace of the winter blues.