The Rum Swizzle: Bermuda’s National Cocktail

With its soft coral colour and enticing mix of flavours spanning citrusy, tart, sweet and spiced, the Rum Swizzle is Bermuda’s quintessential cocktail. It’s perfect for sunsets and savouring life, and it’s more than a drink. With two types of Bermuda rum, fruit juice, and bitters, this bold and refreshing crowd-pleaser has come to embody the island’s laid-back, welcoming spirit. 

Whether you’re enjoying a Rum Swizzle at one of many waterside restaurants or stirring up a pitcher at home, Bermuda’s national cocktail is sure to give you a taste of island life.

The Story Behind Bermuda’s Rum Swizzle

From the Mai Tai to the Cosmopolitan, every great cocktail has an origin story, and the Rum Swizzle is no exception. The first Rum Swizzle as we know it was served in Bermuda in 1932 when the legendary Swizzle Inn opened in Bailey’s Bay, but the drink’s roots go back much further. Iced rum punches stirred with a “swizzle-stick” had been popular in the Caribbean and beyond since the 1700s, when sailors began popularising rum as a spirit of choice. 

Over the past century, the Rum Swizzle has evolved from a sailor tradition to a world-famous cocktail – a symbol of Bermuda’s island identity, sailing legacy, and cultural traditions.

What Makes a Rum Swizzle So Special?

There are a few key differences that set the Bermuda Rum Swizzle apart from standard rum punches. Typically, it’s a blend of rum – preferably Goslings – fruit juices and bitters. While the Rum Swizzle is an iced punch, you won’t find a bartender shaking or blending it. True to its name, this drink is made in a chilled pitcher with a swizzle stick, which blends the flavours and creates a frothing head. The swizzling method keeps the ice intact instead of breaking it into smaller pieces, which ensures a stronger flavour and less dilution.

The Best Rum Swizzles in Bermuda

So, where can you find a great Rum Swizzle in Bermuda? Well, everywhere! You’ll find this refreshing drink all across the island. Every beach bar, luxury hotel lounge, and restaurant has its own take on this iconic punch, which means you have many options to explore. Here are just a few of the best places to seek your favourite Swizzle:

For the Original

Swizzle Inn
As mentioned earlier, the Swizzle Inn has the unique claim of being the birthplace of the Bermuda Rum Swizzle. This landmark pub in Bailey’s Bay has been in operation for nearly a century, and with good reason: They serve up a delicious classic version of the Rum Swizzle, along with bar food, salads, and seafood. The Swizzle pairs exceptionally well with a fish sandwich. 

For Local Flair

Henry VIII Restaurant, Sushi Bar & Pub
The Henry VIII Restaurant on the southern shore is a uniquely local hotspot that has been serving up tasty dishes and fresh, cold drinks for forty years. This classic pub also serves fresh sushi and boasts a stunning back terrace for ocean views. You can sip your Rum Swizzle to the sounds of weekly local music acts and feel like the king the pub was named after—though he was sadly born too early to enjoy Bermuda’s signature cocktail.

For History

Wahoo’s Bistro & Patio
Located in the historic Town of St. George, the waterside Wahoo’s Bistro & Patio boasts a variety of dishes, from classic seafood chowder to burgers to a schnitzel sandwich crafted by their Austrian-born chef. For a true Bermuda experience, pair your meal with cocktails like the Dark n’ Stormy and, of course, the Rum Swizzle.

Frog & Onion Pub
Within the food and entertainment hub of the Royal Naval Dockyard, the Frog & Onion Pub is housed in the historic Cooperage, an 18th-century building once used to make barrels. They serve English-style pub food, seafood, the brewpub’s own beers and ales, and fantastic Rum Swizzles.

For the Best Sip with a View

City View: Flanagan’s Irish Pub
If you’re looking for an urban background to sip your Swizzle, then Flanagan’s Irish Pub in the Emporium Building in Hamilton has you covered. You can people-watch out the window to Front Street while enjoying your cold Swizzle and a range of foods, including brick-oven pizza and a burger bar. 

Beach View: Tobacco Bay Beach Bar & Restaurant
Tobacco Bay Beach Bar & Restaurant in St. George’s is the place to pair your Swizzle with some sun and fun. They offer drink packages as well, giving you a budget-friendly way to enjoy the island’s signature flavours. This establishment also runs the White Horse Pub & Restaurant (St. George’s) and the Snorkel Park Beach Club (Royal Naval Dockyard), providing a few more ideas for standout Swizzles.

For the Best Sip to Go

9 Parishes
Bermuda-based 9 Parishes sells bottled Rum Swizzles in 45 locations across the island. These easy-to-transport Swizzles are ideal for beach days, on-the-water adventures, or stocking your hotel fridge. 

How to Make Your Own Bermuda Rum Swizzle

If you’re dreaming of a Bermuda vacation but can’t make it to the island just yet, you can still have that moment of island bliss. Rum Swizzles are relatively easy to make at home and are perfect to share with family and friends. In addition to the ingredients below, you’ll need a pitcher and a swizzle stick, which you can buy at any bar supply store or online retailer. 

Bermuda Rum Swizzle Recipe (serves six)

Bermuda rum, made famous by the iconic distiller Goslings, is known around the world for its richness and complexity. It plays a starring role in island drinks like the Rum Swizzle. 

INGREDIENTS:
    •    4 ounces of Gosling’s Black Seal rum
    •    4 ounces of Gosling’s Amber rum
    •    5 ounces of orange juice
    •    5 ounces of pineapple juice
    •    The juice of 2 lemons
    •    2 ounces of Bermuda falernum: This traditional sweetener brings flavours of lime, clove, ginger, and almond. You can find it at most specialty liquor stores, but if you don’t have any, you can substitute grenadine.
    •    6 dashes of angostura bitters

DIRECTIONS:
    •    Add your ingredients to a large pitcher with crushed ice.
    •    Using a swizzle stick, stir the pitcher until the ingredients are blended and a foamy head develops.
    •    Pour from the pitcher into glasses and garnish with a maraschino cherry, fresh orange slice, or both.
    •    Take a deep breath, take a sip, and enjoy the island experience!

It’s been said that the Bermuda Rum Swizzle is “the island in a glass.” If you’re looking to mix one at home, Goslings has distributors in the U.S., Canada, and UK. But wherever you’re sipping, let the Swizzle carry you away.

Explore more of Bermuda’s classic cocktails and discover drinks that come with a taste of Bermuda culture.