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Bacardi Special cocktail sitting on a shelf with alcoholic spirits.

Bacardi Special

Print Recipe
The Bacardi Special is a wonderful rum cocktail that also uses a bit of gin to add some extra flavour. The cocktail itself is a variation on the Bacardi Cocktail, which is relatively similar but omits the gin. So if you can make one of these, you can probably make the Bacardi Cocktail as well. That's two cocktails for the price of one!
The original recipe for the Bacardi Special (and the Bacardi Cocktail for that matter) call for the use of Bacardi Rum specifically, but we haven't specified that here. There's a lot of great white rums out there, so why limit yourself? That being said, use a good rum though! Especially since it's just a simple white rum being used. A bad rum will create a bad cocktail, as always.
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 45 mL White rum The original used Bacardi, but do what you like.
  • 20 mL Gin A London Dry is preferred.
  • 15 mL Lime juice
  • 10 mL Grenadine
  • 5 mL Simple syrup
  • Maraschino cherry For garnish.

Instructions

  • A rum, gin, lime juice, grenadine, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker containing plenty of ice.
  • Shake well to chill and mix the the cocktail.
  • Strain into a coupe glass.
  • Add garnish, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

As already mentioned, the Bacardi Special is a spin on the standard Bacardi Cocktail. Both the original and this cocktail are classics, with this cocktail first making an appearance in 1930 and the original being invented in 1917. So it didn't take too long for the Bacardi Cocktail to evolve into the Special!
While the original recipe for the Bacardi Special didn't specify it, we've seen recipes for this cocktail that advise to add about 10 mL of chilled water, but only if you're not getting enough dilution from the shake. Wet ice will likely do the trick, but if it's fresh ice out the of freezer, a little bit of water will do the job. A properly diluted cocktail can really change the game! Sure, we all like bold and robust flavours, but these can also be overwhelming. That little bit of extra water can really expand things. See what works best for you and make the cocktail that way.
The original also didn't specify to use simple syrup, but we think it adds something here. It's only 5 mL, but if you like a drier cocktail, perhaps omit the sugar. Again, it's up to you!