Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Cocktail Recipe

Written by: Yuri Jones
August 21, 2025

Image source: Steve the Bartender

Prep Time

3 minutes

Servings

1

Glassware

Coupe Glass

Ingredients

2 oz aged Barbados or Bermuda rum (60 ml)
¾ oz fresh lime juice (22 ml)
½ oz orange curaçao (15 ml)
¼ oz orgeat syrup (7 ml)
Lime twist or spent lime shell, for garnish

Tools

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Jigger
Citrus juicer
Cocktail shaker
Hawthorne strainer
Paring knife or peeler

Directions

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake for about 10–12 seconds until chilled.
Fine strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass using a Hawthorne and mesh strainer.
Garnish with a lime twist or spent lime shell.

Mixologist's Notes

Falernum is the signature ingredient — use a good quality bottle like John D. Taylor’s for authentic flavor.
Some recipes use a dash of simple syrup if extra sweetness is desired.
Barbados rum keeps it smooth and balanced, while Jamaican rum makes it funkier and bolder.

Flavor Profile

Tiki-like, tart, and lightly spiced with citrus and almond warmth.

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Royal Bermuda Yacht Club cocktail - Proof & Grain

About the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club cocktail

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club cocktail dates back to the 1940s and is named after the famous yacht club founded in 1844 on the island of Bermuda.

This cocktail became popular thanks to Trader Vic, who adapted the traditional Daiquiri template with rum, lime, falernum, and a splash of orange liqueur.

While the club itself has a storied history of British naval officers and sailing regattas, the drink is firmly a Caribbean invention.

A refined yet approachable rum cocktail that highlights the exotic spice of falernum.

What Makes the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Cocktail Special

This cocktail is essentially a tropical Daiquiri with depth.

The falernum (an almond, clove, and lime-spiced syrup) adds complexity, while the orange curaçao or triple sec brings a citrus brightness that lifts the drink.

The balance of sweet, tart, and spiced flavors makes it one of the most elegant rum cocktails of its era — sophisticated enough for sailors in white jackets, yet simple enough to mix at home.

Spirit Swaps and Food Pairings

Rum swaps: Traditionally made with a medium-bodied Barbados or Jamaican rum. Aged rum adds richness, while lighter rum keeps it bright.
Orange liqueur options: Curaçao is most traditional, but Cointreau or triple sec can step in.
Pairings: Excellent with grilled seafood, jerk chicken, spiced nuts, or tropical fruit desserts. The drink’s spice and citrus also cut through creamy dishes.

Why It Endures

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is one of those cocktails that quietly represents the golden age of tiki without the theatrics.

It’s refined, balanced, and deeply Caribbean — a reminder that not every rum drink needs an umbrella to shine.

Country/Region

Country/Region