The 151 Swizzle Recipe

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. Jessica Leibowitz

Following Wednesday's post on the appeal of higher-proof spirits in cocktails, here's a drink that may appear formidable at first glance, but if treated with due respect is as gentle as can be: the 151 Swizzle.

Developed at legendary tiki bar Don the Beachcomber's in the 1960s, the 151 Swizzle has as its base an ounce-and-a-half of dark, heavy, 151-proof demerara rum. Served on its own, such a high-proof rum is a threat not only to sobriety, but to safety. But when mixed with an abundance of crushed ice in a classic swizzle, the rum's strength is softened by the water from the slow-melting ice, but the spirit maintains its richness of flavor.

The result is a drink that's vibrant yet manageable, and drinkable without being watery. (And should you consider the alcohol level still fearsome, consider that a drink made with one-and-a-half ounces of 151-proof rum has less alcohol by volume than a martini made with a three-ounce-pour of 80-proof spirit—more than I usually use in a martini, but a quantity that's served in many bars and restaurants).

Respect the strength of the rum, and the 151 Swizzle will treat you right.

151 Swizzle

Adapted from Beachbum Berry Remixed, by Jeff Berry

Recipe Details

The 151 Swizzle Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces 151-proof Demerara rum (Lemon Hart and El Dorado are the standard brands)

  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, mixed until dissolved)

  • 6 drops Pernod (may substitute Ricard or another pastis, or Herbsaint)

  • 1 dash Angostura bitters

  • 1 cup crushed ice

  • Nutmeg and cinnamon stick, for garnish

Directions

  1. Combine ingredients (except nutmeg) in a blender, and blend at high speed for no more than 5 seconds. Pour into a pilsner glass (or other tall glass) and add crushed ice to fill. Dust with nutmeg; garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
195 Calories
0g Fat
8g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 195
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 5mg 23%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 20mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)