Nautical Drink Ideas

In addition to a number of nautical and ocean-themed drinks, you can create blue drinks to represent water, pairs of drinks in red & green to correspond to port & starboard, or use Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum or Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum. We have compiled some cocktail suggestions below including:

• Pre-made Signature Drinks
• Mixed Drinks For Bar Service
  
• Martinis & Up Drinks
  
• South Seas Shimmy Jell-O Shot
• Virgin Wavebender Recipe
  

The type of cocktails you serve will depend on the type and size of your party. 

For cocktail parties: We recommend a pre-mixed signature drink to:

• Ensure everyone's drink tastes fabulous
• Control costs
• Reduce time mixing cocktails

For dinner parties:  We recommend martinis to:

• Relax the crowd quickly and facilitate conversation and laughter during dinner
• Mix in batches and reduce the time mixing cocktails
• Add style and panache
  

For bar service:  We recommend keeping it simple by:

• Offering drinks with 1 to 4 ingredients
• Preparing mixes beforehand, for more complicated cocktails
  
• Not serving frozen drinks

Regardless of the type of drink you serve, rename the drink for your guest of honor, in the spirit of your theme, your group of guests, or a current event.

   Signature Drinks

When choosing a signature drink, to mix in large batches the day before the party, look for the following:

• A drink that will appeal to most tastes
• No carbonated mixers, look for juices 

If your signature drink does call for a carbonated mixer, you should, ideally, pour it over the other ingredients in each individual glass and stir; otherwise, mix in a pitcher just prior to serving.  Be sure to determine the proportion of carbonated mixer to the batch of other ingredients before the party.

In addition to the drinks below, some of the maritime classics listed in "Mixed Drinks" make tasty signature drinks, such as:

• Sea Breeze
• Salty Dog
• Cape Cod

Remember, do not add ice to your batches of pre-mixed cocktails, instead, pour into a glass over ice. If you have room, put your signature drink mixture in the freezer, but don't forget to defrost before the party.

Tidal Wave

Cabin Cooler

   Mixed Drinks For Bar Service

Sea Breeze

Ocean Breeze
A variation of the Sea Breeze to surprise your guests.

Salty Dog
Vodka is recommended for a wider appeal.

Cape Cod

Variation:
Use watermelon vodka for an interesting twist.

Sex With The Captain

Captain's Son

Lifesaver

Painkiller

   Martinis & Up Drinks

Maritime Martini

Coral Reef Blue Moon Martini

Portside & Starboard Martinis
Melon Martinis...1 red (portside) served to the left, 1 green (starboard) served to the right.

Portside:               

               Starboard:

   South Seas Shimmy Jell-O Shot

Passing trays of Jell-o shooters make a fun party event to keep the crowd entertained.

• 8 oz boiling water
• 8 oz cold water
• 3 oz package of Berry Blue gelatin
• 3 oz package of lime gelatin
• 8 oz rum or vodka
• 4 oz blue curacao
• 4 oz Midori melon liqueur
• 40 gummy fish (optional)
  

1. Pour the gelatin in a heat-proof bowl and add the boiling water, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved.
   
2. Add the cold water, let cool completely.
3. Stir in the rum or vodka, blue curacao, and Midori until well combined.  Note: The alcohol will evaporate, if you add it before the gelatin has cooled.
   
4. Pour the mixture into plastic 2 oz cups.
5. Chill until slightly set, about 15 minutes.
6. Use a skewer or chopstick to push a gummy fish into the center of each shooter (optional).
7. Chill until firm, 4-6  hours.

   Virgin Drink Recipe

Wavebender