Black Rum Swizzle
Swizzle ∙ 3 min ∙ 11.3% ABV ∙
The Black Rum Swizzle is Bermuda's rum-based swizzle of dark rum, orange and pineapple juice, and falernum, churned over crushed ice in a tall glass. Fruit-forward and frothy, with dark rum grounding the bright orange and pineapple, a spiced falernum note, and a light bitters edge — an easy patio sipper.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour all ingredients into the glass half filled with crushed ice: Dark rum 45 mlOrange juice 45 mlPineapple juice 45 mlFalernum liqueur 10 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 1 dash
- Swizzle and then fill the glass with more crushed ice
- Garnish with an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry on a skewer
Tips
- Swizzle with a swizzle stick or bar spoon over crushed ice until frost forms on the outside of the glass.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice; bottled juice turns the drink flat and overly sweet.
- Add the Angostura dash last, floated on top, so its aroma hits the nose on the first sip.
- Top with more crushed ice after swizzling to keep the drink cold and the head frothy.
History
The rum swizzle is widely called Bermuda's national drink, though its roots run across the wider Caribbean. Icy rum mixtures identified as swizzles appear in literature from the mid-eighteenth century onward, recorded at Fort Ticonderoga, New York in 1760 and on islands such as Saint Kitts in 1838 and Barbados. In his 1909 book Beverages, Past and Present, Edward R. Emerson claimed the swizzle originated on Saint Kitts. The drink is tied to Bermuda's Swizzle Inn at Bailey's Bay, which says it sold its first Rum Swizzle in 1932 and bills itself as the home of the drink. The name may derive from switchel, though its exact etymology is unknown.
FAQ
What is a Rum Swizzle made of?
Dark rum, freshly squeezed orange juice, pineapple juice, and falernum liqueur, with an optional dash of Angostura bitters. It is swizzled over crushed ice in a tall glass and garnished with an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry.
What kind of rum is best for a Rum Swizzle?
A dark rum is best, and this build uses one; its molasses depth stands up to the fruit juices and gives the drink its color and body. Bermuda versions traditionally lean on black rum, sometimes blended with gold rum.
What glass is a Rum Swizzle served in?
A Collins glass, filled with crushed ice. The tall glass suits the long, juice-heavy build and holds the crushed ice the swizzle method needs.
What is the difference between a Black Rum Swizzle and a classic Rum Swizzle?
A Black Rum Swizzle usually leans on dark rum and a simpler build, while classic Rum Swizzle recipes often use more layered rum blends and a wider mix of juices and sweeteners.
