Poop Deck Cocktail

Recipe from Harry Craddock's "The Savoy Cocktail Book," Pavilion, 2007

Named after the nautical term for a deck over the stern of a ship, this sweet recipe comes from the classic "The Savoy Cocktail Book," which collects the recipes of renowned London barman Harry Craddock.

Start to finish: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

1 cup cracked ice

1 ounce blackberry brandy

1/2 ounce port

1/2 ounce brandy

Place the ice in a 2-cup measuring glass. Add the blackberry brandy, port and brandy, then stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

TIP: How To Muddle

“Muddle” is a bartending term meaning to crush or bruise fresh herbs to release their flavor. To make a mojito, a muddling tool is used (it looks like a tiny baseball bat) to crush mint leaves in the bottom of a glass. If you don’t have this tool, the handle end of a wooden spoon works just fine for muddling ingredients. Use this tip to make a Classic Mojito or Orange Mojito.

Orange Mojito

Serves 2

12 Each Fresh Mint Leaves
2 Each Oranges, quartered
2 Tablespoons Sugar
Crushed Ice
Tablespoon Orange-flavored Rum or White Rum
Lemon-lime Soda
Mint Sprigs
Orange Wedges

1. Place 6 mint leaves, 1 orange quarter, and 1 Tbsp. sugar in each of two tall glasses. Muddle mint and orange with sugar.
2. Fill glasses with ice. Squeeze the juice from remaining three orange quarters into each glass. Add 1 Tbsp. rum and a splash of soda to each glass; stir to combine. Garnish with mint sprigs and orange wedges.

How To Muddle

“Muddle” is a bartending term meaning to crush or bruise fresh herbs to release their flavor. To make a mojito, a muddling tool is used (it looks like a tiny baseball bat) to crush mint leaves in the bottom of a glass. If you don’t have this tool, the handle end of a wooden spoon works just fine for muddling ingredients.

Classic Mojito

Serves 4

1/2 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves, roughly chopped
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Cup White Rum
1/2 Cup Fresh Lime Juice
Crushed Ice
Club Soda
Fresh Mint Leaves
Lime Slices

1. Muddle chopped mint with sugar in a pitcher. Add rum and lime juice; stir to dissolve sugar. Strain mixture into tall glasses.
2. After straining rum mixture into glasses, add ice and 4–6 ounces of club soda to each glass.
3. Add ice to each drink; top with club soda. Garnish drinks with mint sprigs and lime slices

What It Means To Muddle

“Muddle” is a bartending term meaning to crush or bruise fresh herbs to release their flavor. To make a mojito, a muddling tool is used (it looks like a tiny baseball bat) to crush mint leaves in the bottom of a glass. If you don’t have this tool, the handle end of a wooden spoon works just fine for muddling ingredients.