On 31 July 1970 Royal Navy sailors were sombre as they were given their last tot of rum, ending the naval tradition that had been in place for around 300 years.
We wanted to celebrate this anniversary by sharing our favourite rum cocktails with you, and by recommending some bars where you can try these classics on your next Caribbean bareboat yacht charter.
If you’re on a yacht charter in the beautiful British Virgin Islands, you’ll find famous the Painkiller cocktail at every bar. It is made using Pusser’s Rum – the only rum blended in accordance to Royal Navy Admiralty specifications. Below is Pusser’s official recipe.
Painkiller cocktail
British Virgin Islands
Ingredients & Method
2oz/50ml Pusser’s Rum
4oz/100ml pineapple juice
1oz/25ml cream of coconut
1oz/25ml orange juice
Grated nutmeg
Shake all ingredients together with ice. Serve in a glass with a garnish of fresh nutmeg.
Rum got the name grog because of distinguished naval officer Admiral Edward Vernon’s nickname – ‘Old Grog’. He got this name because he was known for wearing coats made of grogram cloth.
Sweet and sour rum punch is common all over the Caribbean but we like this old fashioned Antiguan recipe, made using English Harbour dark rum. A more refined version of the Navy drink of bumbo (rum, water, sugar and nutmeg), this is a classic.
Rum punch
English Harbour, Antigua
Ingredients & Method
Fresh lime juice from 1 lime
1oz/25ml sugar or sugar syrup
3oz/75ml rum (2oz English Harbour rum, 1oz white rum)
Dash of Angostura bitters
Grated nutmeg
Soda water or fruit juice to taste
Mix together the lime juice, rum and sugar syrup. Add the Angostura bitters. Pour over ice and top with the nutmeg. Add juice or water to your taste.
Rum was the most practical drink for the Royal Navy. Beer turned stale on long journeys, water was easily contaminated and French brandy fell out of favour due to the relationship between Britain and France
Down a nondescript sidestreet in Havana, round the corner from the Plaza de la Catedral, lies La Bodeguita Del Medio. This bar claims to be the birthplace of the mojito. It’s one of the most famous rum-based cocktails and is ubiquitous in bars worldwide.
Mojito
Havana, Cuba
Ingredients & Method
Handful of fresh mint leaves
1 lime, quartered
2oz/50ml white rum
2tsp caster sugar
1oz/25ml soda water
Sprig of mint
Muddle the lime wedges, sugar and mint leaves together in the bottom of a tall glass. Half fill the glass with crushed ice, add the rum and stir. Top with more ice and soda water and a sprig of mint.
This simple cocktail – which translates as ‘small punch’ – made up of white rum, cane sugar and lime, is the national cocktail of Martinique. It is also popular in Guadeloupe and other French-speaking islands. It uses rhum agricole, which is made from sugar cane juice, not molasses like traditional rum. We recommend seeking this cocktail out if you’re on a yacht charter in the French Caribbean.
Ti’ Punch
Martinique
Ingredients & Method
2 oz/50ml rhum agricole
A small squeeze of fresh lime juice
1 tsp cane syrup
Take a small old fashioned glass, add some ice and all the ingredients.
The Latesail team are all experienced sailors who can help you find the perfect charter. Get in touch and we are happy to provide a personal service. Call us on: 01227 479 900
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