Montego Bay

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (33 ratings)

Photographed in a Tiki Coupe 8.5oz

Ingredients:
1 12 oz Rhum Clément Blanc
12 oz Cointreau triple sec liqueur
12 oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
14 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup (65.0°brix, equivalent to 2:1 rich syrup)
2 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with lime wedge.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Review:

The name suggests Jamaica, but the recipe stipulates Martinique agricole rum.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe in Victor Bergeron's 1972 Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide where it is accompanied by Trader Vic's "TV" logo, indicating it is a signature cocktail.

MONTEGO BAY COCKTAIL.
Juice of ½ lime
1 dash rock candy syrup
1 dash triple sec
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 ounce Rhum Negrita
Shake with cubes. Strain into chilled tiki stem cocktail glass.

Victor Bergeron, 1972

Nutrition:

One serving of Montego Bay contains 156 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.3 standard drinks
  • 21.48% alc./vol. (21.48° proof)
  • 17.9 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Showing 6 comments for Montego Bay.
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9th May at 04:59
Isn’t Rhum Negrita a prime example of a Rhum industrielle from Martinique, ie a molasses based rum and not a Rhum agricole. That would make this quite a different drink..
Andy Parnell-Hopkinson’s Avatar Andy Parnell-Hopkinson
2nd June 2024 at 07:02
Nice but unremarkable.
Simon Bradley’s Avatar Simon Bradley
7th September 2023 at 17:30
Just made this with a bottle of Dillon Rhum Blanc Agricole (55% vol) bought from Marseille Airport duty free. Very nice indeed. My first cocktail made with this type of rum. Enjoying the banana profile to it and the alcohol really draws out the length.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
7th September 2023 at 01:33
Since this called Montego Bay, decided to try with Smith and Cross Traditional Jamaican at 114 proof. Very much a different cocktail. The Jamaican funk come through loud and strong. Much more intense flavour than the original.
G. M. Genovese’s Avatar G. M. Genovese
4th May 2023 at 14:34
This is good not great. Knowing I, the sugar might need to be reduced to 5ml or a sweet Curacao replaces the triple sec. Used my new bottle of Rhum J.M. 100 proof. With each recipe I make using it, I'm feeling it's too robust(?)... but it's great in a Ti Punch, of course... What's your take? (4 May 2023, 10:34a)
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
12th March 2023 at 04:44
Being a lover of rhum Agricole and Rhum Clement Canne Bleu I absolutely loved this.
You must like the funk of rhum Agricole, but it was outstanding. Had it after dinner with organic fresh local strawberries and some extra sharp cheddar cheese from New Zealand. Definitely on my favourites.
Words cannot say how much I love this. Again, it is not for everyone, but if you love rhum, it is wonderful.