Feel the Island Vibes — How to Make Bermuda’s Famous Rum Swizzle Cocktail

Brittany Jones-Cooper
·Reporter
Updated

It doesn’t take long to hear the word “swizzle” when you land in Bermuda.

No, it’s not a new dance — the swizzle just happens to be Bermuda’s most famous drink.

Some may argue that the Dark and Stormy (rum and ginger beer), is Bermuda’s signature cocktail, but according to Jay Correia, owner of the Swizzle Inn, locals know that the swizzle is a part of life.

“The Rum Swizzle is an integral part of Bermuda’s social scene,” says Correia. “When Bermudans have a party, there is always Rum Swizzle.”

And Correia should know. The Swizzle Inn is the official home of the original Rum Swizzle.

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The Swizzle Inn has been in the Correia family since 1962. (Photo: Brittany Jones-Cooper)

The Inn opened in 1932, making it Bermuda’s oldest bar. The cocktail actually originated in St. Kitts, but in Bermuda they kicked it up a notch, adding some ingredients, and made it their own. Bartenders served it at the Swizzle Inn, whose customers in those days were mainly locals. Then, after World War II, visitors discovered the Inn and its signature drink.

Correia’s father took over the bar in 1962 and inherited the recipe from the previous owner. Since then, the family has been running the Swizzle Inn and welcoming guests from around the world. They’ve even served a few famous faces.

According to legend, in 1980 John Lennon stopped by the Swizzle Inn with his driver to have a drink while they waited for Yoko Ono’s flight to land at the nearby airport. As the story goes, John had a few too many swizzles, and a couple of hours later he looked out the window to see Yoko driving by in a cab. He likely slept on the sofa that night. (Fun fact: Lennon wrote some of the songs on his final album, Double Fantasy, while visiting Bermuda.)

WATCH: From Flyboards to Mopeds — 8 Adventurous Ways to Explore Bermuda

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Visitors leave graffiti and business cards behind after visiting the Swizzle Inn. (Photo: Brittany Jones-Cooper)

Today, under the watchful eye of Correia, the traditions that made the Swizzle Inn a hot spot for tourists and locals have remained.

“The Rum Swizzle is a part of people’s lives here,” says Correia. “And I’m glad we’re a part of that.”

Want to make your own Rum Swizzle cocktail? Check out the recipe for the Original Bermuda Rum Swizzle:

4 oz. Gosling’s Black Seal rum

4 oz. Gosling’s Barbados rum

2 oz. triple sec

2 oz. Bermuda falernum

5 oz. pineapple juice

5 oz. orange juice

Juice of 2 lemons

6 dashes of Angostura bitters

Mix in pitcher with crushed ice; shake vigorously until a frothing head appears.

Strain into cocktail glasses. Serves 6.

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