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The Queen’s Park Swizzle is a tall, frosty rum cocktail made with fresh mint, lime juice, rich simple syrup, and aromatic bitters. A refreshing choice for warm weather, it has some similarities to a mojito but is served over crushed ice and finished with a generous mint garnish. The drink takes its name from a Trinidadian hotel and dates to the 1920s.
What makes a Queen’s Park Swizzle special?
Demerara rum gives the cocktail a bold, molasses-like flavor, while lime brings acidity and mint adds a fresh herbal note. Bitters contribute spice and depth, so they are an important part of the drink rather than just a garnish.
Swizzles are typically served tall over crushed ice. Stirring or swizzling the drink until the glass turns frosty helps chill it thoroughly and blends the ingredients. For the best texture, prepare the crushed ice and chill your glass before you start.
Queen’s Park Swizzle recipe
Makes: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces demerara rum
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce rich simple syrup (2:1)
- A small handful of fresh mint
- 2–4 dashes aromatic bitters
- Mint sprigs, for garnish
- Crushed ice
Make the rich simple syrup
For a rich 2:1 syrup, combine 2 cups of demerara sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Warm gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves; avoid letting the mixture boil vigorously. Cool completely before using. Store the syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Demerara sugar adds a deeper flavor than plain white sugar. If making syrup ahead, label the container with the preparation date and use clean utensils when measuring it.
Mix and serve
- Add the mint, lime juice, and rich simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Press the mint gently with a muddler to release its aroma without shredding the leaves.
- Add the rum and shake briefly. Pour the mixture into a tall highball glass, pilsner glass, or tiki mug.
- Press the mint down into the glass, then fill it with crushed ice. Use a bar spoon or swizzle stick to stir by rotating it between your palms until the drink is well chilled and the outside of the glass begins to frost.
- Add 2–4 dashes of bitters, top with more crushed ice if needed, and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
Use fresh lime juice for a brighter flavor, and adjust the bitters within the suggested range to suit your taste. Swizzle gently so the mint stays fragrant instead of breaking into small pieces.
Serving tips
Serve the cocktail immediately while the crushed ice is cold and the mint garnish is aromatic. A tall glass gives the ice room to chill the drink evenly, while a mint bouquet makes the finished swizzle easy to recognize and enjoy.
This cocktail contains rum and is intended for adults of legal drinking age. Enjoy responsibly, and consider serving a nonalcoholic option alongside it.
Enjoy a frosty Queen’s Park Swizzle
With demerara rum, fresh lime, mint, rich syrup, and a few dashes of bitters, the Queen’s Park Swizzle makes a flavorful, ice-cold cocktail for a warm day. Its preparation is straightforward: muddle gently, shake briefly, then swizzle with crushed ice until the glass is frosty. Keep the bitters in the mix for added spice and depth, and serve the drink right away for the best chill and freshness.
