Bumbu Banger: The Rum and Ginger Ale Cocktail That Hits Every Time
Some cocktails try to impress. The Bumbu Banger just turns up and gets on with it. Bumbu Rum, a touch of strawberry, a squeeze of lime, topped with ginger ale. It is fruity without being sweet, spiced without being heavy, and comes together faster than it takes to find a clean glass.
If you have never tried Bumbu Rum before, this is the serve to start with. And if you already know it, this is the reason to keep a bottle in the house all summer.
What Is a Bumbu Banger?
The Bumbu Banger is a long rum cocktail built around Bumbu Original Rum, a Caribbean craft rum blended from sugarcane and distilled with banana, vanilla and warm spices. The strawberry purée adds a soft, fruity layer, the lime cuts through with a clean citrus edge, and ginger ale lengthens everything into a tall, fizzy, dangerously drinkable serve.
Think of it as a spiced rum and ginger taken somewhere more interesting. Easy enough for a Tuesday, impressive enough for a garden party.
Ingredients (Makes 1)
- 50ml Bumbu Rum
- 10ml strawberry purée
- 5ml fresh lime juice
- Ginger ale, to top
- Ice
How to Make a Bumbu Banger
- Build the shaker. Add 50ml Bumbu Rum, 10ml strawberry purée and 5ml fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Give it a short, firm shake for around 8 seconds. You are chilling and combining, not aerating.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger ale. Pour ginger ale slowly down the side of the glass to preserve the fizz.
Serves 1. Ready in under 5 minutes.
Tips for Getting It Right
Use a decent ginger ale. Fever-Tree or Fentimans will lift the drink noticeably. Standard supermarket ginger ale works fine, but a ginger ale with a proper ginger bite makes the rum’s warm spice sing.
Keep the strawberry subtle. 10ml is a touch, not a flood. It should round out the flavour, not dominate it. If you go heavier, the ginger ale gets lost.
Do not skip the lime. 5ml is barely a squeeze, but it does essential work, stopping the drink from tipping into one-note sweetness.
Pour the ginger ale slowly. Down the inside edge of the glass, never from a height. Fast pouring kills the carbonation and you end up with a flat drink.
Make it a jug. Multiply the rum, strawberry and lime by six, shake in batches, strain into a jug of ice and top with a full bottle of ginger ale just before serving.
What to Serve It With
The Bumbu Banger is a natural alongside barbecue food, particularly anything with a sticky or sweet glaze. Jerk chicken, honey-glazed ribs, pulled pork sliders, or even a simple burger with a sweet chilli sauce. The ginger ale and strawberry bridge beautifully into caramelised, smoky flavours.
Where to Buy Bumbu Rum
Bumbu Rum 70cl is available at your local Bargain Booze at £23.99, alongside the rest of the spirits range and the wider Booze Bar cocktail collection. Use the store locator at bargainbooze.co.uk/store-locator to find your nearest shop.
FAQs
Can I make a Bumbu Banger without a shaker? Yes. Add the rum, strawberry purée and lime to a tall glass, fill with ice, stir for 20 seconds and top with ginger ale.
What can I use instead of strawberry purée? A teaspoon of strawberry jam loosened with a splash of water works at a push. Raspberry purée is also a good substitute and leans the drink slightly more tart.
How strong is it? With 50ml of Bumbu at 35% ABV, it is roughly 1.4 units, similar to a standard pint of lager.
What is Bumbu Rum? Bumbu is a Caribbean craft rum inspired by 16th and 17th century recipes. It is blended from sugarcane and distilled with banana, vanilla and warm spices, giving it a naturally smooth, aromatic character.
Can I use a different rum? You can, but the drink loses its identity. Bumbu’s spice and vanilla profile is what makes this serve work. Standard spiced rums will produce a simpler drink.
