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Grog

Classic/vintage · Hall of Fame and must know/try

4.9 140 ratings

Favorite

Ingredients

2 oz Navy rum (ideally circa 55% alc./vol.)
1/2 oz Lime juice
1/2 oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2:1)
1 1/2 oz Chilled water
2 dash Aromatic bitters

How to make

Serve in a double old-fashioned glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a DOUBLE OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. 3 SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 Garnish with lime wedge.

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Flavour profile

55.0% alc./vol. · 1.9 standard drinks · 232 calories

History

This is a potent, flavorful navy rum cocktail, balanced with a dash of lime to combat scurvy. When prepared with the correct dilution, it is a superb drink, though overindulgence may lead to morning grogginess. Previously, Muscovado or Demerara sugar syrup was favored, but upon reflection and retesting, it was found that the strong flavors of dark sugar tended to overpower the nuances of the Navy rum. Consequently, a standard cane sugar syrup or even cane juice sugar syrup is now preferred. As noted by Chris Lamb, if aiming for a reduced daily intake of alcohol to 18.5 grams, one might fill a standard 12oz old-fashioned or rocks glass by shaking: 40ml (1⅓oz) Navy Rum 10ml (⅓oz) Lime juice 10ml (⅓oz) Sugar syrup (2:1) 30ml (1oz) Chilled water 1 dashes Aromatic bitters

For more than 300 years, the British Navy provided a daily "tot" of rum, with double rations sometimes issued before combat. In 1740, Admiral Vernon ordered that the standard daily issue of half a pint of neat, high-proof rum be replaced by two servings of a quarter pint, diluted 4:1 with water, in an effort to curb drunkenness. Because the Admiral, nicknamed "Old Grogram" for his waterproof grogram cloak, the concoction became known as "grog." Lime juice was frequently added to the grog to help prevent scurvy, leading to British sailors being called "limeys." The "tot" tradition, which began with the British Navy in Jamaica in 1665, ended on 31st July 1970, known as Black Tot Day, though by then the "tot" had been reduced to a mere two ounces. While it makes for a good story, historians now suggest that grog originated earlier than the time of "Old Grogram."