Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Navy Grog Cocktail

Navy Grog Cocktail

Citrus and three types of rum make this a Tiki classic

Tiki drinks tend to be rum heavy. Especially this one.

The Navy Grog combines three different rums with two types of citrus. The result is magic.

Rum thing, that.


Navy Grog Cocktail

Recipe: The Navy Grog Cocktail

The Navy Grog has smooth, deep flavor that’s reminiscent of the Mai Tai, another Tiki favorite.

The creator of the Navy Grog was Donn Beach, owner of a chain of restaurants called Don the Beachcomber. Beach was secretive about his drink recipes, but Tiki authority Beachbum Berry ferreted out this one. For that we thank him.

This recipe takes about five minutes to prepare and makes one drink. But it’s a hefty drink, so we usually call this two servings.

Ingredients
  • 1 ounce white rum, preferably Puerto Rican or Cuban
  • 1 ounce dark rum, preferably from Jamaica
  • 1 ounce Demerara rum (see Notes for substitution)
  • ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ¾ ounce unsweetened white grapefruit juice (not pink; see Notes)
  • ¾ ounce soda water or club soda
  • 1 ounce honey mix (i.e., honey simple syrup; see Notes)
  • garnish of lime twist or wheel (optional)
Procedure
  1. Add all ingredients (except garnish) to a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake until well chilled (about 20 seconds).
  2. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish, if you wish, and serve.
Navy Grog Cocktail

Notes
  • Our recommendation for serving this drink is simpler than the classic presentation. If you want to go the classic route, here’s how: Pour the chilled drink from the cocktail shaker into an empty rocks glass. Then add an “ice cone” (see below), inserting a straw for easy sipping.
  • To make an ice cone: Pack a pilsner glass firmly with shaved or crushed ice. Run a chopstick through the middle of the ice to make a hole for the straw, then pack the ice once again. Carefully remove the cone from the glass, remove the chopstick, and freeze the cone overnight.
  • If that’s too much trouble (and of course it is), you can buy mold kits that make it easier to craft an ice cone.
  • Or just skip that nonsense altogether and serve the drink as we suggest. Not authentic, but a whole lot easier – and the drink tastes the same.
  • Demerara rum, which is made in Guyana, has a flavor profile similar to that of Jamaican rum. But it has a distinctive smoky note that makes it more complex. The brand you’re most likely to see at your liquor store is El Dorado. Their 12-year-old rum is excellent, but pricey. For cocktails, we generally use their 8-year-old variety. Lemon Hart also makes a good Demerara rum.
  • There’s no substitute for Demerara rum. But if you don’t want to buy a bottle just for this drink, you can double up on the dark rum. The flavor of the drink won’t sparkle as much, but it will still be good.
  • Speaking of dark rum, we favor Myers’s from Jamaica for Tiki drinks. But there are other good brands available. Just don’t use spiced rum – it’s a completely different animal.
  • Our usual disclaimer: We’re noncommercial and don’t receive any compensation for mentioning brands. We buy our own booze with our own money, and recommend what we like and use.
  • Always use unsweetened white grapefruit juice in this drink. The pink stuff is too sweet (not to mention the wrong color).
  • Remember, grapefruit doesn’t mix well with and some medications, like statins (it intensifies the effects of the drug). If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. 
  • Honey mix is basically honey simple syrup, and it’s easy to make: Just place equal parts of honey and hot water in a bowl or measuring cup. Then whisk or stir until the honey is dissolved. Store the honey mix in a squeeze bottle in the refrigerator, where it will last several weeks.
Navy Grog Cocktail

Rum Ration

“Yo ho ho,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “And a bottle of rum. Or half a bottle, at least.”

“So it seems,” I said. “This drink lives large.”

“And it channels the Mai Tai, one of my other Tiki faves,” said Mrs K R. “Can’t argue with that.”

“After a couple of these, we won’t be arguing about anything,” I said. “We’ll be plenty mellow.”

“Good thing you’re splitting each drink into two,” said Mrs K R. “So I can live to drink another day.”

Tiki wisdom!

You may also enjoy reading about:
Mai Tai Cocktail
Missionary's Downfall Cocktail
Paradise Cooler Cocktail
Planter's Punch Cocktail
Singapore Sling Cocktail
Vicious Virgin Cocktail
Volcano Bowl Cocktail
Or check out the index for more

66 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

I have never even heard of this drink..but rum based cocktails sound really good.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, this is GOOD! Definitely worth a try. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Tricia Buice said...

I've never tried a honey simple syrup - bet that is lovely in this drink. Getting ready to head to the beach - we should try this refreshing rum heavy treat while sitting around the pool :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, this would be really nice when sipped slowly sitting poolside. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Such a tropical beauty! Perfect for sipping all summer long!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, you definitely want to sip this one -- lotta rum in it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

All That I'm Eating said...

Ooooh, this sounds like the perfect Friday night cocktail!

Pam said...

What a beauty! It sounds tasty too.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Caroline, yup, this is MADE for Friday nights! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, this really is tasty. It's become a real favorite of ours! Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

You really have 3 kinds of rum on hand? Amazing! My last bottle of rum was one of those little pocket sized ones (needed it for a long-forgotten recipe) and it lasted years until I just poured it into something (forgot what). But that sounds like an enjoyable drink -- so tropical!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, actually more. :-) We're crazed. A lot of them are stored down in the basement -- just bring them up when we need them for a specific drink. And we do like Tiki drinks, which usually need at least two different rums. Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

Feeling the urge to play a little Bob Marley and chill! Triple rum = triple delicious. Might have to retire in the tiki tent tonight if we have more than one... LOL Take care

Valentina said...

I haven't heard of this one, but love a good Mai Tai, so I'm thinking I'd enjoy it! Such a pretty shot, too!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, one of these is enough. :-) Really good stuff, though! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, the Mai Tai is terrific, isn't it? This is ALMOST as good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

Three types of rum makes me all kinds of happy :). This one is a winner for sure!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, definitely a winner. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Nancy Mastro said...

I'm wondering what makes the cocktail orange in color.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

Rum drinks have my heart! They always remind me of being on vacation!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nancy, two of the rums are a rather dark amber, so when mixed with the other ingredients, an orange hue is the result. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, this is a great vacation drink! Thanks for the comment.

Dahn @savorthebest said...

wow, this looks delicious and makes me want to take a tropical vacation.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, it does, doesn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

I want to glean Tiki wisdom from the Tiki gods! (Over a glass of grog!)

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Well, how could I not love this as I am a fan of mai tais! Now, it’s time to go rum shopping!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, this is much wisdom to be gleaned from the gods over a glass of grog. Or maybe not. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, always fun to go rum shopping! Enjoy. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sounds wonderful, and I've got Myer's on hand. Ice cone? Hah! "Or just skip that nonsense altogether and serve the drink as we suggest." Yes, I will happily take your suggestion!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jean, Meyers's is wonderful rum, isn't it? Love its flavor! And it's terrific in this drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning said...

Love its name and also that little umbrella touch on the side.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, isn't it a wonderful name? And we're suckers for those little umbrellas. :-) Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats said...

This does look rather MAGICAL however grapefruit and I just don't get along. I wonder if RUM and I would - hahaha! Oh wait, Captain Morgan is rum, and I had a REALLY AWFUL TIME with him before!

Jeff the Chef said...

Now that is one interesting drink! I had to open another page to search for ice cones, because I needed to see one. I've never heard of such a thing! Where have I been living, under a rock? I'm going to have to go to some bar that would be able to make me this drink.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, not a fan of Capt. Morgan, alas. There are a lot of fun rums that you cold experiment with. Well, a little later this year. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, I probably should have made an ice cone for a picture, but that's kinda over-the-top. This is really a good drink -- bet you'll like it. Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

Mai tais are a bit too strong for me but the grapefruit, soda, and honey in these sounds super intriguing.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, one of these IS strong -- maybe half of one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Natalia said...

Love the vibrant color of this cocktail ☺

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, vibrant color, wonderful flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

This is my go-to drink at Tiki Ti on Sunset Blvd. I've always admired it's complex taste and now I see where it gets that distinctive subtlety. GREG

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

Hitting all the right notes with the citrus background! What a fab way to celebrate the last of summer.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, how lucky of you to be able to go to Tiki Ti! Definitely on my list of places to visit one of these days. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, the citrus is strong in this one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Wow not sure I have ever seen a drink with three different rums it it, and its a stunner. Yes it sounds like trouble but I am curious about this ice cone lol.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, I probably should have made an ice cone just so everyone could see it. :-) If you buy the kit (we haven't), I imagine it's pretty easy to make. Otherwise, a bit of a pain if you use a pilsner glass. Thanks for the comment.

sherry said...

this looks like a beauteous drink KR! and all that rum.. winner winner chicken dinner! cheers S

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, definitely a winner. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Rocquie said...

What a fun sounding drink! But I'm afraid I need the ice cone please.
--Rocquie

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rocquie, I really should have made that ice cone, I guess. :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

Well, I do love rum, especially the darker Jamaican run. I had never heard of Demerara rum. It sounds tasty just like this cocktail. This would be a great sipper for an afternoon on porch.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, Demerara rum has a fun flavor! Bet you'll like. And it's terrific in this cocktail. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

I think I need to be lying in a hammock on the beach to enjoy this one. Then again, as stiff as it sounds, I probably wouldn't be able to get up afterward, so it's just as well I'm lying down to sip it! ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, a hammock would be perfect! Because one of this is an afternoon project, so you might as well do it in comfort. :-) Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

I need to go get some Demerara rum! But, I think I'd skip the ice cone too. Unless I come across one of those molds to use. This sounds delicious. I love rum drinks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, the ice cone looks cool but is kind of a pain. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Someone just gifted me a bottle of rum...but I guess I need two more. Don't worry. I won't let that stop me!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, you're a go-getter! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Frank said...

Sounds really refreshing for a summer evening. And I'm intrigued by Demerara rum, love those smoky flavors in my booze.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, Demerara rum has a wonderful flavor! Great in cocktails, good to sip all by itself. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kim Lange | The Baking ChocolaTess said...

This looks like a great cocktail for my birthday this weekend! Sounds like a definite winner!! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kim, this would be perfect for a celebration. Happy Birthday! And thanks for the comment.

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

This looks like a terrific summer party drink! Super refreshing and tasty!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, this really is a nice, refreshing drink. Great party drink, as you say. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Emma @ Bake Then Eat said...

This drink packs a serious rum punch. My fella is a big rum drinker so we have all of these rums in the house. I just need the grapefruit juice!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, rum is good, isn't it? You'll love this! Thanks for the comment.