top of page
  • Writer's pictureBamboo Sam

The Golden Gun

James Bond reference & a Tiki Drink? I'm in.


Golden Gun Cocktail

The Golden Gun is a classic Tiki tasting drink from the Tiki Revival. This was the winning drink from a cocktail seminar given by Martin Cate of Smuggler's Cove at Tiki Oasis 2012. The point of the seminar was to understand the structure of exotic cocktails and then use that knowledge to construct new cocktails from the supplied ingredients. Sounds like a good time to me!


Being a recipe from Smuggler's Cove, this uses Martin Cate's rum classification system. The two rums called for are a "blended aged rum" (#3 in Cate's system) and a "blended lightly aged rum" (#2 in Cate's system). I'd highly recommend getting the book for a full understanding of his system as it is very helpful in better understanding rum in general. However, here are a few options for each style used in the Golden Gun.


Blended Lightly Aged Rums: Appleton Estate Signature Blend, El Dorado 3 Year, Mount Gay Eclipse, Plantation 3 Star

Blended Aged Rums: Appleton Estate Reserve Blend, Diplomatica Reserva, El Dorado 5, 8, or 12 Year, Mount Gay Black Barrel

Golden Gun Cocktail

Golden Gun

Source -Smuggler's Cove, Martin & Rebecca Cate

  • 3/4 ounce lime juice

  • 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice

  • 1/2 ounce demerara syrup

  • 1/2 ounce apricot liqueur*

  • 1 ounce blended aged rum*

  • 1 ounce blended lightly aged rum*

  • 2 dashes bitters



Shake everything with crushed ice and use a gated pour into a Collins glass (I didn't actually have a clear Collins glass and I'm assuming the name has something to do with the color so I improvised). Garnish not standardized so I tend to go with the classic mint sprig and lime slice.


*Bamboo Sam's customizations: I have two ways that I like this drink depending upon the type of drink I'm in the mood to enjoy. For smooth and fruity I go with Appleton Estate Signature Blend and El Dorado 5 Year. If I want a bolder more rum forward drink I'll use Plantation 3 Star and Mount Gay Black Barrel. If you like it a bit sweeter give Diplomatica Reserva a try. I recommend Rothman & Winter for the Apricot Liqueur.






268 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page