Swizzle In, Swizzle Out

by ,

                             SWIZZLE IN, SWIZZLE OUT

Hello Got Rum? Readers and Happy 2021!!   I hope that you are all healthy, safe, and excited for what this New Year will bring.    For my first article of the year I wanted to write about something uplifting, and Swizzles immediately came to mind.  Aside from being a really fun word to say, a “Swizzle” is both a noun and a verb.   It is a style of cocktail, but also the word for a bar tool.  The term swizzle originates from the West Indies, but with most historic cocktail stories, there are different theories as to where the original swizzle stick was created-- One story is that it was invented during the 18th century at a West Indies rum plantation, and another is that it originated in Martinique, with the stick being whittled from the twigs of the Bois Le’le’ tree.   

So how exactly does one “swizzle”?? A stick, or branch, with 4-5 little prongs on the end is inserted into a tall glass, (or even a pitcher) and then placed in between the hands.  Using a motion similar to making fire with a bow drill, the swizzle stick twirls in the glass of ice and liquid, not only mixing the drink but making the outside of the glass incredibly frosty.  It is like a primitive version of a hand mixer.   

The Swizzle (noun) is traditionally a tiki style cocktail served in a tall glass or mug, over crushed ice, with rum in it.  The “Rum Swizzle’’ is known as Bermuda’s national drink, and is often associated with the “Swizzle Inn” of Bailey Bay.  It is the oldest pub in Bermuda and its motto is “Swizzle in, swizzle out”.   Here are a couple of my favorites, the Queens Park and Rum Swizzle are classics, and the other is my own recipe.   Go get yourself a swizzle stick, and have some fun with them.  

Queen's Park Swizzle

  • 2 oz. Overproof Demerara Rum
  • 1 oz. Simple Syrup 
  • 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
  • 3-4 Dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 8 Mint Leaves

Place the mint leaves in a tall glass and using a muddler, gently press and bruise them.  Add all other ingredients except the bitters and then pack it with crushed ice.  Swizzle and mix until the outside of the glass is frosty.  Add the Angostura to the top so that the colors are layered, and garnish with a fresh mint sprig. 

Bermuda Rum Swizzle

  • 1.5 oz. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
  • 1.5 oz. Gosling’s Gold Seal Rum
  • 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • 1 oz. Orange Juice
  • .5 oz. Grenadine
  • 3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Build all ingredients in a tall glass or tall tiki mug and pack with crushed ice.  Swizzle and mix until the outside of the glass is frosty.   Garnish with fresh pineapple.  

Espresso Rum Swizzle 

  • 1 oz. Aged Rum (your choice here, be creative!)
  • 1 oz.  Amaro Di Angostura
  • 1 oz. Brewed Espresso 
  • .5 oz. Kahlua
  • .25 oz. Falernum
  • 6-8 Mint Leaves

Place the mint leaves in a tall glass and using a muddler, gently press and bruise them.  Add all other ingredients and then pack it with crushed ice.  Swizzle and mix until the outside of the glass is frosty.  Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.  

Cris