Queen's Park Swizzle Cocktail Recipe

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Queen's Park Swizzle Nutrition Facts

Calories:220

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:17g

Alcohol:14%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: January 7, 2024

History

The Queen's Park Swizzle is a classic cocktail that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1920s. It was named after the Queen's Park Hotel in Port of Spain, where it was first created. This refreshing cocktail is perfect for those who enjoy a mix of sweet, sour, and strong flavors.

  • The Queen's Park Swizzle is often considered the national cocktail of Trinidad and Tobago
  • It was popularized in the United States by famous bartender Don Beach, who brought the recipe to his Hollywood bar in the 1930s
  • The cocktail has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks to the craft cocktail movement

How Queen's Park Swizzle Tastes?

The Queen's Park Swizzle is a well-balanced cocktail with a mix of sweet, sour, and strong flavors. It has a refreshing minty taste, combined with the sweetness of the sugar and the tanginess of the lime. The rum adds a strong, bold backbone to the drink, making it a satisfying and invigorating experience.

Interesting facts about Queen's Park Swizzle

  • The Queen's Park Swizzle is sometimes referred to as the 'Mojito's Trinidadian cousin' due to its similarities in ingredients and flavors
  • The cocktail is traditionally made with Demerara rum, which is a type of rum produced in Guyana
  • The swizzle in the name refers to the swizzle stick, a traditional Caribbean tool used to mix the drink

Ingredients

Demerara Rum

Rum from the Demerara region brings a depth of flavor with its caramel and toasty notes, making it the heart of our Queen's Park Swizzle. Using 2 oz keeps the drink strong yet sippable. Too much and you're boarding a boozy boat; too little and the rum's rich flavor gets lost at sea.

Mary Mitkina

Fresh Lime Juice

Provides the zesty zing and acidic balance to our tropical concoction. 1 oz ensures a tang that's noticeable but not overtaking the sweet symphony we're composing. Omitting it would be like a beach without sand – just not right. Lemon juice could sub in, but that would change the tune.

Alex Green

Simple Syrup

The sweet symphony's conductor, at 0.75 oz, simple syrup smooths out the edges and balances the citrus. Cut the sugar and the cocktail might pucker you up more than a first kiss. If you have a sweet tooth, you could use a bit more, but don't drown the other flavors!

Emma Rose

Mint Leaves

These aren't just leafing around; 8-10 mint leaves bring a fresh, cool breeze to each sip. Fewer would make the drink's freshness fade, while too many could turn your swizzle into a minty mojito impersonator.

Mary Mitkina

Angostura Bitters

The cocktail's spice cabinet, adding intrigue and depth with just 2 dashes. Skip these, and you miss the mysterious twist in the tale. Other bitters could dance in, like Peychaud's for a more floral note.

Alex Green

Crushed Ice

The unsung hero. 1 cup holds the fort down, chilling and diluting the drink into perfect harmony. No ice makes a swizzle a puddle, too much and it's more iceberg than cocktail.

Emma Rose

Garnish with Mint Sprig

The final flourish for eyes and nose, this green plume makes the first impression and invites you into the garden of flavor. No mint sprig means less aroma, and remember, we taste as much with our noses as with our tongues!

Mary Mitkina

Recipe. How to make Queen's Park Swizzle Drink

  1. In a tall glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup
  2. Add the lime juice and Demerara rum
  3. Fill the glass with crushed ice and swizzle the drink using a swizzle stick or a long bar spoon until well mixed and chilled
  4. Top with more crushed ice and add the Angostura bitters
  5. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve with a straw

Pro Tips

  • Muddle the mint gently to avoid releasing bitter flavors
  • Use a long bar spoon if you don't have a swizzle stick
  • Chill the glass before preparing the cocktail to keep it cold longer

Perfect Pairings

Food Pairings:

The Queen's Park Swizzle is a refreshing and aromatic cocktail, perfect for sipping on a warm day. Its minty and citrusy profile complements light appetizers and seafood dishes well. Here are a few pairing suggestions:

  • Seafood like ceviche, grilled shrimp, or sushi. The lime in the cocktail echoes the citrus often used in these dishes.
  • Poultry such as lemon-herb chicken skewers. The cocktail's minty freshness balances the savory flavors.
  • Salads with vinaigrette dressings or with tropical fruits. The acidity and sweetness of the cocktail create a harmonious contrast with these dishes.

Dessert Pairings:

  • Lemon or lime-based desserts, like key lime pie or lemon sorbet. The cocktail enhances the tangy flavors of the dessert.
  • Fresh fruit platters, especially with tropical fruits like pineapple or mango. The rum's complexity and the cocktail's mint enhance the natural sweetness of the fruits.

Drink Pairings:

  • Non-alcoholic ginger beer offers a spicy kick that contrasts nicely with the Queen's Park Swizzle.
  • Sparkling water with a splash of lime, to stay in the refreshing zone but without additional alcohol.

Remember, balance in flavors is key when pairing!

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What you could change in Queen's Park Swizzle

  • Demerara rum: Can be replaced with any dark rum
  • Simple syrup: Can be replaced with agave syrup or honey
  • Fresh lime juice: Can be replaced with fresh lemon juice

Explore all drinks starting with Q here

And of course - twists🍹

Ginger Queen

Swap the simple syrup for ginger syrup to give a spicy zing to our swizzle. The ginger will embrace the rum and lime in a spicy, yet still sweet, tango.

Recipe: Replace 0.75 oz simple syrup with 0.75 oz ginger syrup. Swizzle as usual, and sprinkle with a dash of ground ginger on top if you're feeling extra zesty.

Herbal Harmony

Infuse the simple syrup with herbs like thyme or basil for an earthy twist. This adds a herb garden vibe that pairs marvellously with the mint.

Recipe: Use an herb-infused simple syrup keeping the same amount. Swizzle and then garnish with a corresponding herb sprig for an aromatic allure.

Caribbean Queen

Bring in the tropical flair by adding a splash of coconut water and replacing Demerara rum with coconut rum. It's like a mini vacation in a glass.

Recipe: Add 0.5 oz coconut water and use 2 oz coconut rum. Stick to the rest of the original recipe, and don't forget to sway a little when you swizzle – it’s all about those island vibes.

Each twist adds a unique layer to the cocktail that showcases a different aspect of the original drink’s personality. Whether you’re going for spice, garden freshness, or tropical escape, you’re in for a treat!

In case you forgot basics how to make Queen's Park Swizzle

The basic composition of simple syrup is relatively straightforward – a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. This mixture is heated until the sugar dissolves, resulting in a clear, sweet syrup.

Learn everything about simple syrup

The key to proper muddling is to crush the ingredients just enough to release their flavors and not overdo it. Over-muddling can result in a bitter taste, especially with herbs.

Learn everything on how to muddle

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Queen's Park Swizzle

What is the alcohol content of a Queen's Park Swizzle?

The alcohol content of a Queen's Park Swizzle can vary depending on the alcohol content of the Demerara rum used. On average, you can expect it to be around 20-30%.

Can I make this cocktail non-alcoholic?

Yes, of course. Just replace the alcohol with non-alcoholic substitutes, such as non-alcoholic rum or a splash of rum extract for the flavor. Instead of bitters, you could use a drop of homemade alcohol-free aromatic bitters.

What size glass should be used for this cocktail?

Traditionally, the Queen's Park Swizzle is served in a tall Collins glass, but you can use any tall glass available.

What type of mint is typically used for this cocktail?

Spearmint is typically used in cocktails as it has a mild flavor that does not overpower the drink.

What does 'swizzling' a cocktail mean?

'Swizzling' a cocktail involves mixing the ingredients using a swizzle stick. The stick is rotated rapidly by rubbing it between the palms, creating a stirring or swizzling motion.

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