Flying Dutchman Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

A rich and full-bodied sipper, the Flying Dutchman is an herbal and sweet cocktail.

Many of the best cocktails seem to have connections to the beach, sandy shores or even the sea itself. Today’s drink is no different.

The name “The Flying Dutchman” carries a lot of weight in a historical and nautical sense. First, there’s the legend of a ghostly vessel, doomed to haunt the Seven Seas for all eternity. And that story alone has a number of different versions stashed away amongst its dreaded decks.

And of course, there’s the spectral and green-glowing character that haunts Bikini Bottom in the SpongeBob SquarePants animated series, then the Flying Dutchman sailed further into modern popular culture by appearing in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. The Dutchman is one ghost ship that seems to be sailing for all eternity, as we are still frequented by different versions of it.

The cocktail that is named for this ghostly legend is a bit of a mystery itself. Some claim that it first appeared in 1950, within the pages of a rare Dutch recipe book entitled Internationale Cocktailgids. The author of this tome, Willem Slagter, is considered by many to be the Flying Dutchman’s creator. However, another origin is attached to this drink’s story, with some claiming that famous barman and author, Harry Craddock, invented an early version of the drink in the 1920s.

Unlike the phantom ship that shares its name, the Flying Dutchman drink can be easily summoned with the rumble of a cocktail shaker.

What is the best genever to use in a Flying Dutchman cocktail?

This drink isn’t just named for the ghost ship of legend, but for its Dutch roots as well. The base spirit we’ll be using is also of Dutch origin, genever, which is sometimes spelt jenever. While there are a few brands to choose from, the most common and easy to find is Bols, which is still made using the original recipe from 1820.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Chill a cocktail coupe in your freezer for around 15 to 30 minutes before prepping and pouring your drink. This will give your libation an extra crisp and cold sipping experience. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy.

Is genever the same as gin?

While it is considered a precursor to gin, genever itself is made with a malt wine base, closer to an unaged whiskey, and then infused with botanicals, mainly juniper. This is where the comparison with gin often occurs, but genever also incorporates smoky notes of the wood it is sometimes aged in.

Similar cocktails to the Flying Dutchman

Tonight’s tipple is one that definitely sails off the beaten seaways. It’s not often that you encounter a beverage that utilizes the herbal and complex charms of the Dutch and Belgian spirit genever. But if the other notes found in this drink have tickled your taste buds, here are a few other recipes worth trying this weekend.

• Greenpoint – Yellow Chartreuse helps bring this spicy elixir to life.
• Alaska – Gin and Yellow Chartreuse make this cocktail a crafty one.
• A La Louisiane – This New Orleans classic is mixed with another legend, Bénédictine.
• Vieux Carré – This dark and smooth favorite from the Big Easy also features Bénédictine.