Wednesday, July 20, 2022

The Ancient Mariner Cocktail

The Ancient Mariner Cocktail
Zesty and refreshing, this Tiki drink is a delightful cooler

Polynesian-themed sippers known as “Tiki drinks” charmed much of the US (and the world) in the mid-20th century, before falling from favor. They’re staging a revival now, and why not? Many feature rum + fruit juice — one of the best cocktail combos we know.

The Ancient Mariner is a delightful example. Its rich, soothing flavor makes for a perfect afternoon sipper.

So why not beat the heat with a beach-themed treat?

The Ancient Mariner Cocktail

Recipe: The Ancient Mariner Cocktail

“Tiki” was a fictionalized take on the culture of the South Pacific and Oceania (with nods to the Caribbean and later Southeast Asia). It started with Don’s Beachcomber bar, which opened in 1933 in Hollywood, California (fittingly, since that was also home to the US movie industry, which has made a fortune from fantasy). Then came Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland, California. Donn Beach and Trader Vic (as they called themselves), plus the bartenders who worked for them, created the majority of Tiki cocktails.

The Ancient Mariner is a newer take on Tiki. It was developed in 1994 by Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, the world’s preeminent Tiki cocktail historian. He was trying to recreate Trader Vic’s version of Donn Beach’s Navy Grog Cocktail. What he instead came up with was this. Kudos.

This recipe serves 1 and takes about 5 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Demerara Rum (see Notes)
  • 1 ounce dark Jamaican rum (see Notes)
  • ¾ ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
  • ½ ounce unsweetened white grapefruit juice (bottled is OK; see Notes)
  • ½ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
  • ¼ ounce allspice dram (aka pimento dram; see Notes)
  • garnish of a lime wedge or slice and/or a mint sprig (optional)

Procedure 

  1. Add all ingredients (except garnish) to a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the contents are well chilled. 
  2. Strain into a double rocks (old-fashioned) glass filled with crushed or chipped ice. Add garnish, if desired, and serve.

The Ancient Mariner Cocktail
Notes

  • The original version of this drink calls for shaking with crushed ice, then pouring the drink unstrained into a double rocks glass. We prefer fresh ice in the glass, but suit yourself.
  • The original also calls for scoring the lime-wedge garnish. Too fiddly for us, but it looks attractive. BTW, as you can see in the pictures, we opted for a lime slice rather than a wedge.
  • Crushed or chipped ice is ideal for drinks like this. It melts faster than cubes, helping dilute the alcohol (Tiki drinks tend to be heavy on booze). But use ice cubes if you prefer.
  • When it comes to dark Jamaican rum, Myers’s is our favorite. But use any brand you like.
  • Demerara rum is a smoky amber rum from Guyana. Its flavor is unique, so there really is no substitute. El Dorado 8-year-old rum is our standard for mixed drinks (though even longer-aged versions are always welcome). BTW, you may see some 151-proof Demerara rums. Those are not appropriate for this drink.
  • Allspice dram (aka pimento dram) includes a mix of spices. It adds terrific flavor to drinks, and we’ve used it for several cocktails over the years. The brand we see most often (and use) is St. Elizabeth. But your liquor store may have another recommendation. 
  • If you don’t have allspice dram on hand, you could substitute a few pinches each of ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and allspice. It won’t taste quite the same, but it’ll do in a pinch (heh, heh).
  • Our usual disclaimer: We’re noncommercial and are not compensated for mentioning brand names. We suggest only what we use and buy with our own money.
  • Always use unsweetened white grapefruit juice when making this drink. The pink stuff is too sweet (and it’s the wrong color). We use bottled juice because it’s convenient, but you can always buy a fresh white grapefruit (not pink or ruby) and squeeze your own. 
  • BTW, it can be hard to find white grapefruit juice in stores these days (most people seem to prefer pink). We finally found some, but had to shop around. It’s worth getting for Tiki drinks – and our next couple of drinks will also feature it – so stock up!
  • Some medications (like statins) don’t mix well with grapefruit juice (the juice intensifies the drug’s effects). The amount called for in one of these drinks (or even two) isn’t a problem for most people, but if in doubt consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The Ancient Mariner Cocktail
Rum Rime

“’Eftsoons his hand dropt he,’” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs.

“Guess this drink is a bit strong,” I said. “Are you OK?”

“Just quoting a line from ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,’” said Mrs K R.

“Oh, right,” I said. “By noted drug addict Samuel Taylor Coleridge.”

“’With my cross-bow, I shot the ALBATROSS,’” said Mrs K R.

“Dang, wouldn’t want that hanging around my neck,” I said.

“Don’t worry, after another one of these, you won’t be able to hit anything,” said Mrs K R.

“’Four times fifty living men . . . . They dropped down one by one.’” Just another night at Tiki Town.

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42 comments:

David Scott Allen said...

I think only an ancient mariner would be sturdy enough to have two of these! Looks so delightful — and I bet it goes down really smooth!

Angie's Recipes said...

What a terrific drink to beat the heat! You took some beautiful photos too, John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, Tiki drinks ALWAYS go down really smooth. Which can be a problem. :-) Actually, with all the ice, these take a bit of time to drink -- a good thing! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, it's a great drink! Thanks for that very kind comment.

Mae Travels said...

All good, though the exotic natives did’t get much respect in these last-gasp colonial fantasy emporia. Next month I’ll have a chance to try some mixed drinks … maybe I should memorize the names of some of your concoctions!

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, Tiki "culture" is really bizarre! Rather revolting, actually, but the drinks are really good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

savorthebest said...

This looks perfect for taking outside and sitting under an umbrella on the beach.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, it's a great beach or pool sipper. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

Looks and sounds refreshing & tasty.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, it's delish! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

Come for the history, stay for the booze. A wonderful cocktail history lesson as usual, John. And a delicious sounding drink. Every time I stop by here, I leave feeling smarter and thirstier. Thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terry, that thirst thing needs to be remedied. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

I love tiki drinks and probably because they do go down so smooth!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, too, too smooth. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Lizzie said...

Just saw the recipe, heading out for some rum. But ABOUT THOSE GLASSES...absolutely gotta have us some of those glasses.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lizzie, those glasses are fun, aren't they? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Lizzie said...

Hey KR: Any chance you would be willing to tell me where you got them? Please????

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lizzie, don't recall exactly which brand we purchased, but you can find several versions of these on Amazon. :-)

Ben | Havocinthekitchen said...

This cocktail looks outstanding - so beautiful and shiny (Like a glass filled with treasures. I know, weird analogy! Lol) Great complex flavour, too!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ben, it tastes like a treasure, too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marcelle said...

John, this drink has a wonderful color, a great name and it really sounds so refreshing. Sipping on one of these Ancient Mariners will be a wonderful way to take the edge off on these hot summer evenings!! Now I've got to go pick up some rum... :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, isn't this a great drink? We love Tiki drinks! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Eha said...

Ih dear . . . you have spoken some true words . . . . have had in Hollywood way back when . . . was quite delighted by the tastes but remember the 'after' a little too well . . .

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eha, Tiki drinks usually taste delightful, but they tend to be rather strong, so caution is definitely needed. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Happy Retiree's Kitchen said...

You guys have such fun with your drinks, and that's how it should be. Haven't heard of the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner for yonks. I love everything about this Tiki cocktail including the cool name. Must introduce this cocktail next Summer over here.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pauline, we have some more neat Tiki cocktails coming up in weeks to come. :-) Thanks for the comment.

valentina said...

A lovely cocktail for summertime! And it's pretty too. :-) ~Valentina

Sherry's Pickings said...

your photos make me want to dive into that drink KR. It sounds like just one will send me sprawling ... :-) Never heard of white grapefruit juice. In fact i don't think i've ever seen any sort of grapefruit juice that you can buy in a shop. Will have to squeeze a fruit come summer.:)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, we do rather like pretty cocktails. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, white (yellow) grapefruit juice is the color of the original grapefruit (I think -- need to check that). The red/ruby varieties were developed later (again, I need to check this) to be sweeter. Anyway, freshly squeezed is always better! Thanks for the comment.

savorthebest said...

It looks like a refreshing drink. Perfect for the heat.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, and it's really hot today, so we need this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

I love a cocktail with grapefruit - that hint of bitterness makes it for me. But I always squeeze my own. They are so juicy it's easy.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, grapefruit is great! We love its bitterness, too -- which works so well in cocktails. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

Since I've yet to travel by plane during the pandemic, this is the perfect way to feel like you have gotten away. Looks so refreshing!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, we haven't traveled either, so exotic drinks have to substitute for us. :-) Thanks for the comment.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I'm a real fan of rum so this sounds delicious to me. Also, it is so HOT here right now that all thet crushed ice In the cocktail looks like just what we need.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judee, unusually hot here, too. So one of this would be most welcome. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Velva- Evening with a Sandwich said...

Hi John, we are cocktail drinkers at our house too I've been loving your cocktail recipes. This is another good one.

Best,
Velva

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Velva, so many good recipes, so little time. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

This sounds like a great drink! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for white grapefruit juice.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, one of our usual supermarkets carries it, but they've been out of stock for months. We finally found some at Target! Thanks for the comment.