Navy Grog Cocktail

Navy Grog Cocktail Story

Old-time Navy Grog was as unglamorous as it sounds. The rough mix of water and rum, and sometimes lime, was given to the British Royal Navy as part of a daily ration to fend off disease, malnutrition, and mutiny. In 1941, Don the Beachcomber reinvented the scallywag swill into a potent cocktail of rum, soda, lime, grapefruit, and honey. Don’s Navy Grog became a template for many of his more spice-heavy creations that would come to define his Polynesian-pop drink aesthetic. Trader Vic, along with others, created his own version of Navy Grog, further muddying the definitive expression of the drink, but also contributing to its appearance at practically every tiki establishment across the country. Don’s Navy Grog, however, followed a unique ice preparation method: bartenders froze straws in pilsner glasses overnight to create a cone-shaped ice cube with a straw down the middle, ensuring every sip of a Navy Grog would be as cold as possible. Don’t have an ice cone handy? Just pack your Navy Grog with plenty of crushed ice, tuck in a straw, and enjoy.