Grog Cocktail Recipe

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

Grog is an old cocktail with a rich history associated with the British Navy. It was first born out of a directive from an Admiral to dilute the Rum with Water to moderate the alcohol consumption amongst the sailors and serve with Lime to prevent the scurvy.

Today, there are many variations of this cocktail, including the popular Navy Grog. However, here, we’re going to show you how to make a classic Grog cocktail that’s best enjoyed during relaxed at-home gatherings with friends, cozy evenings in or (pirate) themed parties!

How to Make a Grog Cocktail

What You’ll Need

• Rock Glass
• Mixing Glass
• Bar Spoon
• Jigger or Measuring Instrument
• Paring Knife (for the Lime)
• Saucepan (to boil Water)

How to Mix:

1. Fill a Mixing Glass with Ice Cubes.
2. Add Dark Jamaican Rum, Boiling Water, Simple Syrup, and Bitters.
3. Using a Bar Spoon, stir the drink.
4. Pour the mixture into a Rocks Glass filled with Ice Cubes.
5. Garnish with a Lime Wedge.

What is a Grog Cocktail?

It’s a legendary cocktail with its roots in the British navy. It’s a bold and slightly sweet beverage that uses boiled water to dilute the Dark Jamaican Rum, a touch of Simple Syrup for sweetness, and a dash of Bitters. Finally, it’s garnished with a Lime Wedge for a little tangy touch at the end. A great choice for anyone looking for a full-bodied and flavorful cocktail.

What Does a Grog Cocktail Taste Like?

The taste is a mix of bold, earthy notes with a hint of sweetness and a zesty, aromatic finish. First, there’s the deep richness of Dark Jamaican Rum and a touch of sweetness from the Simple Syrup. The Bitters add some complexity, while the Lime gives it a bit of zesty brightness.

The History of the Grog Cocktail

During the early modern era (1500–1800), the British Navy needed large amounts of fresh water for their long voyages. Storing fresh water in casks led to contamination and spoilage. To make stagnant water drinkable, it was sweetened with beer or wine, which required additional casks. As voyages grew longer, storing water, beer and wine became more difficult.

After England’s conquest of Jamaica in 1655, rum replaced beer and wine. However, providing the sailors with undiluted rum led to other problems, where they would save their allotted rations for several days and then consume them all at once.

In 1740, the navy Admiral, nicknamed “Old Grog” by his men, ordered that sailor’s rum be mixed with water to reduce disciplinary problems and speed up spoilage, which would discourage hoarding. According to the new regulations, every pint of rum was to be diluted with two quarts of water, with each sailor being allotted two servings daily. Lime was also introduced as a preventative measure against scurvy. This concoction was given to sailors of every ship and station of the British Navy.

Today, there are many variations of modern Grog recipes, many of which incorporate spices.

Variations of the Grog Cocktail

• Add More Lime
  If you want to add more Lime flavor, mix in 0.5 oz (15ml) of freshly pressed Lime Juice to add more citrus and acidity to your cocktail.
• Rum Grog
  Served in a Highball Glass, a Rum Grog consists of Light Rum instead of Jamaican Rum, together with Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, and then garnished with a Lime Wedge. The contrast to the original is sweeter but equally delicious. Discover our recipe here.

• Navy Grog
  The Navy Grog (aka The Ancient Mariner Recipe) is a variation of a traditional Grog cocktail but even so there are also variations of this cocktail too. In most cases, it uses no less than three different types of Rum, together with Allspice liqueur, Honey Syrup, Club Soda, freshly squeezed Grapefruit Juice, freshly squeezed Lime Juice and then garnished with a Mint Sprig and a Lime Wheel.
• Royal Navy Grog
  This variation features Dark Rum, Lemon Juice, Water, and Cinnamon.  The Cinnamon adds a lovely warmth and spicy complexity that complements the richness of the Dark Rum.

Serving and Garnish Ideas

The Rocks Glass is the ideal choice for serving this cocktail as it effectively holds the ice perfectly, maintaining the drink’s chill without over-diluting it.

Garnish your cocktail with a Lime Wedge, placed directly on top of the Ice Cubes. If you’re looking for a twist, use a Mint Sprig or Mint Leaves, which add a distinct aroma that marries perfectly with the dark Jamaican Rum. Remember when garnishing your cocktail, use odd numbers. So, in this case, use one mint leaf or three mint leaves. It just presents nicer.

If you’re looking for a fun way to serve this cocktail, especially if you’re serving this cocktail to friends, present it with what’s known as the Navy Grog Ice Cone.

The Ice Cone is a conical-shaped piece of ice that was traditionally used in these cocktails during the 1940s to slow down the melting process, ensuring the drink remained chilled without diluting the flavors too quickly.

Tips for Making a Perfect Grog Cocktail

• Adjust Sweetness to Taste – We prefer the recommended amount of Simple Syrup as shown in this recipe, but feel free to adjust to your preference for sweetness.
• Try Different Bitters – Consider experimenting with different types of Bitters to enhance the complexity of the cocktail, such as Aromatic Bitters or Orange Bitters for added depth.