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 sailboat 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.
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Painkiller
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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.
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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.
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Rum punch
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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.
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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 favor due to the relationship between Britain and France.
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.
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.
Mix and enjoy.
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Get in touch
To find out about chartering a yacht in the Caribbean or in one of 60 destinations we offer around the world, search using our Deal Finder, or get in touch by calling us on 01227 479900 or email info@latesail.com.
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