How to Make a West Indian Swizzle

Travel Distilled brings you a recipe for how to make a West Indian Swizzle, from the 1917 book Seventy Recipes for Cocktails, Cups and Punches

How to Make a West Indian Swizzle

This is an old fashioned Cocktail and is quite one of the easiest to mix and by its virtue bne of the most popular. The cocktail is not only delicious but makes a splendid tonic.

To one gin, whiskey or brandy add one-sixth part Angostura bitters and one-sixth part simple syrup.

Pour all into a long glass and add an equal quantity of water or shaved ice and swizzle into a froth with a swizzle stick or brush.

Serve in a sherry or suku glass. If a little more water is added the foam comes quicker and is more lasting, if preferred can be served still i. e., not swizzled but well stirred.

I have no idea what a suku glass is. Any suggestions? Use a sherry glass instead.

What is a Swizzle Drink?

A swizzle drink is a refreshing cocktail that is typically made with rum, bitters, sugar, and lime juice. The key characteristic of a swizzle drink is the swizzling technique, which involves vigorously stirring the drink with a swizzle stick (a long, thin stick) to create a frothy texture. This technique also helps to chill the drink and incorporate air, making it lighter and more refreshing.

The most famous example of a swizzle drink is the Rum Swizzle, often considered Bermuda’s national drink. It’s a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed for centuries, and it’s still a popular choice today.

Here are some of the key elements of a swizzle drink:

Base Spirit: Rum is the traditional base spirit for swizzle drinks, but other spirits like dark rum or even vodka can be used.

Sweetener: Sugar or a sugar syrup is added to balance the acidity of the lime juice.

Citrus: Lime juice is a common ingredient, but other citrus fruits like orange or grapefruit can also be used.

Bitters: Angostura bitters are often added to enhance the flavor and aroma of the drink.

Swizzling Technique: The drink is vigorously stirred with a swizzle stick to create a frothy texture.

What is a Swizzle Stick?

A swizzle stick is a long, thin stick, typically made of wood or metal, used to stir drinks, particularly cocktails.It’s named for its use in the swizzling technique, where the stick is vigorously rubbed against the sides of the glass to aerate and chill the drink.

What are Angostura Bitters?

Angostura bitters are a type of concentrated bitters, or herbal alcoholic preparation, primarily used for flavoring drinks and, less commonly, food. They are known for their complex flavor profile, which includes notes of citrus, spice, and herbs.

The name “Angostura” comes from the town of Angostura in Venezuela, where they were first created in 1824 by Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, a German surgeon general in Simón Bolívar’s army. Siegert developed the bitters as a stomach tonic for his ailing soldiers.

While the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, it is known to include a blend of gentian, herbs, and spices. The bitters gained popularity and eventually became a staple ingredient in many classic cocktails, such as the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned.