Jamaican Breeze

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Start your weekend with a bubbly and relaxing Jamaican Breeze.

The corner of the simple, single-story home that sat on the northern cliffs of Jamaica, not far from Ocho Rios, was silent, save for the soft island breeze and the clacking of a typewriter. Once the site of a donkey racetrack, former British Naval intelligence officer Ian Fleming purchased the land and turned it into his Caribbean getaway. He named the place after a World War II operation he spearheaded: GoldenEye. And it was here in that house, as the end of his bachelorhood was looming, that Fleming wrote Casino Royale. Released in 1953, the taut and vicious caper followed the exploits of a British secret agent, with the designation 007, who carried a license to kill.

Decades on, the character of James Bond still maintains a strong connection to Jamaica. The very first film, 1962’s Dr. No was shot there, as was Live and Let Die in 1973 and the most recent outing, 2021’s No Time To Die. For Bond fans like myself, visiting the house where James Bond was born, now a high-end resort, is definitely a bucket list item. Luminaries and celebrities from around the world have stayed there over the years, and whenever one looks at photos of the place from Fleming’s time there to now, idyllic is an understatement.

Tonight’s cocktail is inspired by those warm, aromatic and welcoming Caribbean winds, the Jamaican Breeze. Rum, pineapple juice, simple syrup and ginger beer combine to create a spicy, refreshing relaxer that has just the right amount of bite. Even if you’ve never visited Laughing Waters while humming “Underneath The Mango Tree”, an ice-cold Jamaican Breeze can help bring those vibes home.

What Is The Best Rum To Use In A Jamaican Breeze?

For this cocktail, let’s stick with a fine Jamaican spirit. There are great, easy-to-find options out there, such as Appleton Estate, Myers’s and Two Birds, amongst others. Smith & Cross make an awesome Navy-proof rum, which is quite strong and is often used as a topper in many Tiki drinks. My choice for this recipe is one of the most popular rums found in Jamaica, an overproof Wray & Nephew white. Clear, funky and with notes of molasses, caramel, banana and pineapple, it’s the perfect choice for a Jamaican Breeze.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice, cubed or crushed, and pour your Breeze in. Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim and start sipping.

CAN YOU STORE THE JAMAICAN BREEZE?

No. This drink is best when it is made and served fresh, especially due to the ginger beer that’s used.

HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A JAMAICAN BREEZE?

This delicious and thirst-quenching concoction has around 206 calories per glass. A second and third round is very tempting, so keep that number in mind.

IS IT BETTER TO SHAKE OR STIR THIS DRINK?

Shaking is best before pouring over ice and topping with ginger beer. This ensures a slightly frothed and thoroughly mixed fusion of the rum, pineapple juice and simple syrup.

Similar Cocktails To The Jamaican Breeze

Didn’t the Beatles once sing that all you need is rum? Perhaps I’m a little confused. All the same, when you’re unsure of what to make when the cocktail hour rolls around and you have a bottle of rum handy, half the battle is won. Check out some of these rum-based classics that’ll always satisfy while keeping you cool.

• Backyard Iced Tea – Tea, lemonade and spiced rum create a thirst-quencher with a kick.
• Cherry Bomb – Rum and lime are a perfect match, and this red mixture helps prove it.
• Papa Doble – Ernest Hemingway’s preferred version of the Daiquiri.
• Rum Sour – Spiced, tart and delectable.