A Shitty Name for a Knockout Punch

This powerhouse cocktail is steeped in legend and deeply intertwined with both naval tradition and the evolution of tiki culture. With 3 ounces of high proof rums, it’ll make a drunken sailor out of just about anyone.

Navy Grog Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 oz White Rum
• 1 oz Caribbean Rum (or gold/Jamaican rum)
• 1 oz Navy Rum (or dark Demerara rum)
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ¾ oz grapefruit juice
• ¾ oz honey syrup*
• Lime slice

* Honey syrup: Similar to simple syrup. Add 3 honey to 1 water to a small saucepan over medium heat. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, use a 1:1 ratio. Stir until blended, then pour into a jar and seal tightly with a lid. Will keep for 1 month in the refrigerator.

Steps:

1. Add the multiple rums, honey syrup, grapefruit juice and lime juice to a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled glass with crushed ice.
3. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Variations

Traditional Navy Grog recipes vary, but all call for a mix of 3 different types of rum, typically including light (white) rum, dark rum, and Demerara rum (can be subbed for traditional Navy rum).

Like all Tiki drinks, citrus juices are key. Fresh lime juice and grapefruit juice are a must for the tangy, tropical flavor profile. Some recipes also sub out the grapefruit juice for a mix of passion fruit juice, orange juice and pineapple juice ( ½ oz of each plus a ½ oz of lime juice). Our recipe above calls for a mix of lime juice and grapefruit juice, much like Hemingway’s Daiquiri.

While this recipe does not use any club soda, a splash of soda water will add a refreshing effervescence. Honey syrup is used here to balance the tartness of the citrus. Many Tiki drinks call for elaborate syrups like Allspice Dram, Orgeat or Demerara Syrup, and there are Navy Grog recipes that include them as well. If you have these syrups available, feel free to get creative!

History

Navy Grog is a classic cocktail with a rich history deeply intertwined with naval tradition and the evolution of tiki culture. The term “grog” originally referred to a drink made from rum diluted with water, which was given to sailors in the British Royal Navy. The practice started in the 1740s when Admiral Edward Vernon, known as “Old Grog” due to his grogram cloak, ordered that the sailors’ rum rations be diluted to a 1:4 ratio in order to reduce drunkenness onboard ships. The Admiral also split the ration into two servings each day, resulting in him being voted the least popular Admiral ever.

In 1795, to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, the Royal Navy required adding lemon or lime juice. This led to the British sailors being nicknamed “Limeys.” The rum ration (called a tot) was a daily amount of rum given to sailors on Royal Navy ships. It was abolished in 1970 after concerns that the intake of strong alcohol would lead to unsteady hands when working with heavy machinery. Who would’a thought?

Transformation into a Tiki Drink

The modern version of Navy Grog became popular in the mid-20th century as part of the tiki bar culture. Donn Beach, also known as the legendary Don the Beachcomber, is credited with transforming the simple grog into a complex and sophisticated cocktail in his tiki bars. His recipe included a mix of different rums, lime juice, grapefruit juice, honey, and soda water. It was served at Don’s bars in California and was eventually adopted by Victor Jules Bergeron, Jr., known as Trader Vic, another Tiki legend who owned Trader Vic’s, an influential tiki-themed chain of restaurants.

The drink, known for its strong rum content and exotic presentation—it was originally served with a straw through an upside-down ice cone—became a staple in tiki bars across the United States. It eventually caught the eye of Frank Sinatra, and there are claims that it was Old Blue Eyes’ favorite way to get boozy. While it hasn’t been verified that it was Sinatra’s favorite, it was certainly known that Frankie loved alcohol. And the drink’s popularity soared during the mid-20th century, particularly in Hollywood and Las Vegas circles, which coincided with Sinatra’s heyday. Simply put, the Rat Pack loved strong drinks and Navy Grog is among the strongest.

Modern Day

With the resurgence of interest in both tiki culture and classic cocktails, Navy Grog has made a comeback in many craft cocktail bars and tiki-themed establishments. Regardless of celebrity endorsements, Navy Grog remains a celebrated part of cocktail history, embodying the spirit of naval tradition and the exotic flair of tiki culture. It’s a drink that captures the imagination with its blend of rich history, strong flavors, and an aura of mid-century sophistication.