Navy Grog
Serves 2 small drinks · 5 minutes · Two small rocks glasses
Last updated 1 November 2026
Navy Grog is a crushed-ice tiki cocktail, distinct from simple Grog. This Difford’s version combines three rum styles, allspice, two syrups and two citrus juices. We divide the published proportions between two small glasses rather than treating the full 90ml rum mixture as a small single drink.
Ingredients
- — 30ml light white rum (40% ABV assumed)
- — 30ml aged Caribbean blended rum (40% ABV assumed)
- — 30ml Navy rum (55% ABV assumed)
- — 7.5ml St Elizabeth Allspice Dram (22% ABV assumed)
- — 7.5ml rich brown sugar syrup (2:1)
- — 7.5ml honey syrup (3:1 honey to water by weight)
- — 22.5ml fresh pink grapefruit juice
- — 22.5ml fresh lime juice
- — 200g crushed ice (house blending starting weight)
- — Lime and mint, optional garnish for each glass
Method
- Set out two small glasses. Measure both syrups, both juices, the three rums and allspice dram into an ice-rated blender.
- Mix briefly without ice to combine, then add the crushed ice and pulse until chilled and combined. Stop the motor before opening or scraping.
- Divide all liquid and ice equally between the two glasses. Garnish each with lime and mint. Do not add extra rum or serve the whole batch as one small portion.
The classic vs the spiced version
The liquids follow Difford’s version, described by that publisher as close to Trader Vic’s. Two small servings, the ice weight and plain garnish are our presentation choices. Replace only the 30ml aged Caribbean rum with 30ml Dilay for a spiced adaptation; retain the Navy and white components and recalculate if their strengths differ.
Tips for getting it right
- — The full batch contains 90ml rum plus alcoholic allspice dram. The unit figure below is half the batch.
- — Honey syrup and sugar syrup are separate ingredients. Keep their concentrations distinct; added honey comes from the syrup, not the rum.
- — We omit the source’s optional xanthan and elaborate ice cone. The 200g ice is our practical starting weight, not an exact conversion of its scoop.
Related serves
Related recipe: Grog
Related recipe: Three Dots and a Dash
Frequently asked questions
Is the batch one serving?
Not here. Divide it equally between two small glasses. At the stated assumptions the batch contains 4.215 UK units, or about 2.11 each.
Do I need an ice cone?
No. The cited recipe describes one, but our simpler presentation uses crushed ice, lime and mint. The liquid structure stays the same.
Dilay 1949 is our own spiced rum, for sipping as well as mixing. Any substitution described above is a maker’s adaptation, not part of the credited specification.
BUY DILAY 1949 PANJABI SPICED RUMRecipe references
Our method and spiced adaptations are described separately from the referenced classic specifications.
Approx. 2.11 UK units per serving from the measured alcoholic ingredients. Where a source gives US fluid ounces, our rounded conversion uses 30ml per ounce. Stated strengths are calculation assumptions, not verified specifications for every bottle. Bitters use an explicit house measure of 1ml per dash, not a universal dash conversion. Check all labels; dilution does not remove alcohol.
Please drink responsibly. 18+. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.