The Best Tiki Cocktail Recipe Ancient Mariner

This post is going to show you everything you need to know on how to make the best tiki cocktail!

Two amazing things happened in 1994. One, I was born , and two, the Ancient Mariner was created! Coincidence that this drink sweeps me off my feet? I think not!

We have Jeff Berry to thank for this masterpiece. Coined the nickname “beach bum” , Jeff is who we have to thank for tracking down several recipes from the tiki masters of the early 1900’s. I use the word recipes loosely because there was a LOT of secrecy and word of mouth knowledge surrounding these precious recipes. Jeff had a lot of experimenting to do!

The Ancient Mariner is a creation based off of a cocktail called the Navy Grog. Apparently it took Jeff ages to get the Ancient Mariner to its perfect form that we know and love today hence the ANCIENT in the title.

I for one send my thanks to Jeff for all of his tedious work and research because it was not in vain! This is my favorite tiki cocktail and it may very well be yours too after you make it! So let’s get right to it!!

“Ancient Mariner”

What You Will Need

Alcohol:

This amazing tiki cocktail celebrates two different rums. First up is a Jamaican Rum! I have chosen to use Appleton Estate 8 Reserve. Appleton has a few different year bottles and a few signature blends! I find for the price this has such a smooth and unique taste! It has depth from the aging and flavors that accentuate the other notes in this cocktail! This Jamaican rum brings honey, vanilla, oak, spices, and a hint of orange peel to the table. I got my bottle from Total Wine and More! You can also find Appleton at Bevmo! This is a great rum to have on hand because it’s also delicious to sip on its own.

The second rum this tiki cocktail calls for is a Demerara Rum! The rum I chose to go with is the Hamilton 86! Demerara rum is distilled in Guyana. The climate, and the way it is distilled all contributes to its rich and unique flavors! This specific rum is bold, smoky, rich, and has a deep brown spice flavor! It is not too overly sweet and it layers in very nicely with this ancient mariner recipe. I found my bottle at Total Wine and More! You do not have to use this specific demerara rum if you do not wish too. The recipe calls for a demerara rum, so if you have a favorite, go ahead and try it!

Lastly we will be using a liqueur that arguably takes this tiki cocktail to the next level! The recipe calls for Allspice Dram. I used St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram. Allspice dram is a mixture of rum and allspice berries that originated from Jamaica. This liqueur is SO tasty and is a key ingredient in lots of tiki cocktails! It is versatile as well, and can be used in holiday cocktails, coffee, cooking, and more! In this liqueur you get a flavor of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The combination of this with the citrus in this cocktail is where a lot of the magic is made! I picked up my bottle at Total Wine and More!

Citrus and Other Ingredients:

This tiki cocktail calls for two different types of Citrus! We will be using Fresh Lime Juice, and Fresh Grapefruit Juice! Key word here is FRESH! You want your cocktails to impress?? Use fresh juice! Fresh juices automatically elevate your cocktail and you will thank yourself afterwards. The tool I am using in the photo above is actually a game changer! I used to detest juicing fruit for what felt like forever. I now have a hand-held stainless steel citrus juicer! It is SO easy to use! Theres an ease with the squeeze, I can fit multiple pieces of fruit in at once, there’s no mess, and it has a pour spout! I can’t recommend one of these juicers enough. What’s even better is that they are actually affordable. Juicing will never be easier! If you wanna check one out identical to mine, check it out RIGHT HERE!

Next we will need just a bit of Simple Syrup! Just like in its name, simple syrup is SIMPLE to make! Whats also great is you can choose however much, or however little you wish to make! We are going to be sticking to the ratio of 1:1. This means 1 part hot water to 1 part white sugar. Simple Syrup will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 weeks so if you plan to make more cocktails throughout the month, or maybe even some lemonade, make a bigger batch!

• Add desired amount of water in a pot on the stove.
• Bring the water up to a simmer, just under a boil.
• Add in equal parts of white sugar.
• Keep at a simmering heat and stir mixture together.
• Lower heat a bit and keep stirring until the mixture has a syrup like consistency.
• You did it!

I store all my juices and syrups in glass bottles like in the picture above! They are so convenient, easy to store, easy to label, and add some professionalism to the home bar! I actually found a really cool set on Amazon that comes with pour spouts, tops, and labels! I’ll have a link for you RIGHT HERE! Remember to keep everything dated, and always try your syrups or juices before making a cocktail. You only want to serve yourself and friends the best quality!

Bar Supplies:

The first piece of equipment you will want to have is a shaker! I chose to use a Boston Shaker. Boston shakers are what I have always used in the bar and I love the range of motion you get with the shake and the perfect dilution! We will be whip shaking this tiki cocktail which requires crushed ice. I will have a full section below going into detail on how to whip shake! Please use whatever shaker you have on hand but if you want a boston shaker just like mine I will link one for you RIGHT HERE!

Speaking of whip shaking, you will need to have a way to make crushed ice! In the photo above I have used my Lewis Bag and Mallet! Some people out there may have a fridge that produces crushed ice which is totally fine to use! Lewis bag’s are really cool especially if you are entertaining. They hold large amounts of crushed ice and the canvas of the bag keeps the ice cool and crisp! You put full sized ice cubes in the bag before crushing them with a mallet. You then take a stainless steel bar scoop and pull out desired amounts of ice whenever you are constructing a cocktail. I got my set at a local bartending shop over here in San Diego, but they sell FULL sets online! I will link a great one for you RIGHT HERE!

You can also use a pebble ice mold. You won’t be able to fully whip shake with this as the cubes will be a little harder to dissolve but it is still an option! I will link a mold for you RIGHT HERE if that is what you prefer!

We will need to a way to measure out the ingredients for this delicious tiki cocktail! In the photo above is a Bar Jigger. Since Jeff worked day and night to get this recipe just right, it’s only fair we honor it! Balance and consistency is everything in a cocktail and we can attain that by using a bar jigger. My bar jigger in the photo above ranges from 1/4 oz to 2 oz! It’s definitely a must have bar tool. If you want to check out one identical to mine, I will leave it for you RIGHT HERE! You will be making perfectly balanced cocktails in no time.

When I first began bartending, I actually used a jigger that was a bit more simplified. This jigger had only one side, very clear measurement lines, and a pour spout! It really helped me get into my groove and was an excellent tool as I gained my skills. I will link the exact one I used RIGHT HERE if you are a beginner and want to ease into it!

I do recommend that if you are starting to create multiple cocktails at home, you should invest in your own personal little Bartending Kit. Most come with everything you will need as a beginner while others provide several items for more complex creations. I will put links to both a beginners set, and a more advanced set on Amazon below!

Beginners Kit : HERE

Advanced Kit : HERE.

Garnish:

The classic garnish for this cocktail is a sprig of fresh mint and a designed lime wedge! Below I will show you how you can make little designs on your limes for those extra presentation points!

The mint garnish is very simple. Make sure your mint is crisp and lively. If your mint is drooping, cut off the stems and stick it in some ice water for about 10-15 minutes for it to brighten back up! When your mint is ready, take it between your hands and clap them together. This “wakes up” the mint! It will release its aromas and fill the room with a lovely scent. You taste with your nose first so this draws you into your tiki cocktail.

To get a designed lime effect you will want to have a citrus zest peeler! I had to go to a special chef store to find one of these, but luckily they have very affordable and easy to use ones on Amazon RIGHT HERE! To begin, you want to keep your lime whole. I like to start by horizontally peeling around the circumference of the lime.

I then make vertical cuts from the top of the lime downward. Repeat that step on the opposite side of the lime. You don’t want the vertical lines on the top and bottom to be even, offset them a bit from each other so you have a more consistent pattern.

This is just one way to decorate your limes! The fun part is you can make the lines do whatever you want! Next time I want to make them more diagonal and see how that looks. It is all a creative process so have fun with it! Find a good spot on your lime to cut your wedges that doesn’t disrupt the pattern too much. Since this lime wedge does have a design, cut the lime wedge a little larger than you normally would so that design will be on display!

How to Whip Shake

We will be Whip Shaking this cocktail! Whether you have crushed your own ice in your Lewis Bag, or you have a pebble ice mold in your freezer I will teach you exactly how to execute this technique.

What you want to do is add the ingredients of your cocktail into your small tin. In the large tin you want to add about a bar scoop worth of crushed ice. Combine your tins and form a seal.

Vigorously shake your cocktail until you have heard all of the ice fully dilute and disappear ! (If you are using the pebble ice mold, they may not dissolve all the way. Shake until they are as tiny as possible)  When it is ready it should pretty much  sound like just liquid shaking in your tin! Break your seal and you are ready to pour!

This tiki cocktail requires a Dirty Pour into your glassware which means not using any sort of strainer at all. You will dump the contents right into the glass.

And thats it! I personally love Whip Shaking I find it to be a fun process!!

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