Rum Swizzle facts for kids
| Cocktail | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | Cocktail |
| Served | On the rocks; poured over ice |
| Standard drinkware | Cocktail Glass |
| Commonly used ingredients |
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| Preparation | Mix in pitcher with crushed ice, shake vigorously until a frothing head appears. Strain into cocktail glasses. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry. Serves 6. |
The Rum Swizzle is a famous drink from Bermuda. Many people call it "Bermuda's national drink." It is a traditional drink that locals and visitors enjoy. It is made with rum and other tasty ingredients.
The Rum Swizzle is a big part of Bermuda's culture. It is as well-known as the Bermuda onion. It is also as famous as the beautiful hibiscus flower. And it is as graceful as the Bermuda Longtail bird.
Contents
What is a Rum Swizzle?
A Rum Swizzle is a type of mixed drink. It is often served with ice. The name "swizzle" comes from how it is mixed. People use a special tool called a swizzle stick. This stick helps to mix the drink until it gets foamy.
How is it Made?
Different people have their own ways to make a Rum Swizzle. But some ingredients are almost always the same. These include rum and fruit juices. Common fruit juices are lime, orange, and pineapple juice. A sweet syrup like falernum or grenadine is also often added.
The ingredients are usually shaken or stirred with ice. This creates a refreshing and foamy drink. One old recipe was in the 1941 Old Mr. Boston De Luxe Official Bartender Guide. Gosling's Rum in Bermuda also has its own recipe. They use two different rums from their company.
A Look Back in Time: The History of Swizzles
Icy drinks mixed with rum have a long history. They were first called "swizzles" a long time ago. People have talked about them since the mid-1700s. These drinks were found in many places. This includes Fort Ticonderoga in New York (1760). They were also on the island of Saint Kitts (1838). Other places were Bridgetown, Barbados (1841) and Great Britain (1862).
Early Swizzle Drinks
In the past, these drinks were often simple. They usually had one part rum mixed with five or six parts water. Sometimes, other flavors were added. People would mix them with a special forked stick. This stick was made from a root. Another old recipe used spruce beer with rum and sugar.
In 1909, Edward R. Emerson wrote a book. He said Rum Swizzles started on the island of Saint Kitts. An American writer, Frederick Albion Ober, also wrote about swizzles in 1920. He said the swizzle was a popular drink in Barbados. It was made by whisking liquors, sugar, and ice. This was done with a "swizzle-stick" from a native plant. This plant might have been the "swizzlestick tree" or an allspice bush.
The exact origin of the word "swizzle" is not known. It might come from a similar drink called switchel.
The Swizzle Inn and Bermuda's Famous Drink
The Rum Swizzle was a popular drink at the world's first cocktail party. This party was held in London, England in 1924. It was hosted by the writer Alec Waugh. The drink is also mentioned in books. For example, Sinclair Lewis's 1925 novel Arrowsmith talks about it. Another book from 1930 mentions it with Bacardi rum.
Today, the Rum Swizzle is often linked to The Swizzle Inn. This famous pub is in Bailey's Bay, Bermuda. The Swizzle Inn is known as "the home of the Rum Swizzle." It is also Bermuda's oldest pub. The Swizzle Inn started selling its first Rum Swizzle in 1932. It quickly became a very popular place.
Other Swizzle Drinks
| Cocktail | |
|---|---|
| Type | Cocktail |
| Served | On the rocks; poured over ice |
| Standard garnish | Grated Nutmeg, Cinnamon stick |
| Standard drinkware | Pilsner Glass or Tall Glass |
| Commonly used ingredients |
|
| Preparation | Fill half a tall glass with crushed ice. Add all ingredients and swizzle (or stir with a long spoon) until ice forms on the outside of the glass (approx 8-10 seconds). Top with additional crushed ice. Alternative: Combine liquid ingredients and crushed ice in blender, blend on high 5 seconds. Pour into frosty pre-chilled metallic or tiki mug. Garnish with grated nutmeg and cinnamon stick. |
There are other types of swizzle drinks too. One example is the 151 Swizzle. It was created by Don the Beachcomber in the 1930s. This version used a stronger type of rum.
Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide shares more swizzle recipes. These include the Kingston Swizzle. It is made with Jamaican rum and hot water. The Kona Swizzle uses almond syrup. And the Martinique Swizzle has flavors like Herbsaint or anisette.
How Swizzle Sticks Work
Swizzles first came from the West Indies. A swizzle stick is a branch from a tropical bush. It has three to five small branches at its end. You put this stick into a glass or pitcher. Then you quickly spin the stem between your hands. This fast spinning with ice makes the outside of the glass get frosty.
The Spirit of Bermuda cookbook says the "Bermuda swizzle stick" is often cut from an allspice bush. It is used to stir and garnish the drink.
There is also a "Green Swizzle" mentioned in a story. The recipe for this drink is not known. But it is talked about by a character named Bertie Wooster. He says it had at least seven ingredients. The Trader Vic's guide also has a recipe for a Green Swizzle. This one uses green crème de menthe.
