Throughout the history of piracy, drinking has been an integral part of the pirate culture. It is hard to find a pirate who did not enjoy drinking, from the early days of piracy to modern times. Sobriety and piracy do not seem to go hand in hand.
In fact, becoming a pirate often involved proving one’s ability to hold their liquor. Typically, beer was the drink of choice for this test, which involved downing a mug of beer in one go.
Although beer was the test drink, rum is the beverage most associated with pirates. It was a potent drink that they consumed in large quantities. It would be accurate to say that pirates would drown in rum whenever they had a chance to do so. Gin and wine were also popular among pirates.
Pirates also enjoyed mixing their drinks. Some of the popular pirate cocktails were Bumbo, Flip, Rumfustian, and Sangaree. However, the most famous cocktail among pirates was Grog, a hot drink made from spiced rum, beer, oatmeal, and spices.
Drinking on ships was not always safe, as pirates needed to keep a sharp eye out for danger. Drinking on land, however, was another story. Pirates would celebrate their victories loudly and aggressively, often forcing the people around them to drink with them.
Refusing to drink with a pirate was a grave insult that could result in dire consequences.
Overall, drinking was an essential aspect of pirate culture, both on and off the ship. Pirates enjoyed a good drink, and they were not afraid to indulge in it, even if it meant running into trouble.
Top 10 Pirate Drinks
- Grog – This hot drink is made from spiced rum, beer, oatmeal, and spices.
- Rum – A pirate classic, rum was a potent drink that pirates consumed in large quantities.
- Bumbo – This cocktail is made from dark rum, lemon juice, grenadine syrup, and grated nutmeg or cinnamon.
- Flip – This cocktail is made from ale, brandy, lemon juice, egg yolk, granulated sugar, and ground ginger.
- Rum Punch – A fruity cocktail made from rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine syrup.
- Sangaree – A precursor to sangria, this cocktail is made from priced red wine, oranges, peaches or any other fresh fruit, sugar, and pieces of lemon peel.
- Groggy Nog – A twist on traditional eggnog, this cocktail is made from spiced rum, milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and spices.
- Pirate’s Coffee – A spiked coffee made from rum, coffee, cream, and sugar.
- Rum Runner – A fruity and tropical cocktail made from rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and banana liqueur.
- Pirate’s Punch – A simple yet potent cocktail made from rum, pineapple juice, and orange juice.
