Captains Blood – Recipe from david Embury’s ‘The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks’

1 part Lime Juice 

2 to 3 parts Jamaica Rum 

2 or 3 dashes Bitters to each drink Shake with finely cracked ice.

I have a suspicion that this is a small typo / error on Embury’s part, all previous recipes of this I can find include a sweetening device be it simple syrup, falernum, maraschino or plain old sugar, and this is missing from this drink, badly. I used Appleton 12 year old, which I truly believe to be one of, if not the best value for money rum on the market, and without some sweet this was ruined.

Without the sugar there’s nothing to mellow the lime and let the flavours from the rum come through, as it is, the bitters and lime overpower even a 12 year old, and despite Embury’s love for reduced sugar drinks this is just unbalanced and horrible.