Skip advertisement Advertisement

Montego Bay

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (43)
Montego Bay image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Agricole blanc/cane juice rhum (unaged)
1⁄2 fl oz Cointreau L'Unique triple sec liqueur
1⁄2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄4 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
2 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Tiki Coupe 8.5oz

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime wedge.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Montego Bay contains 156 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 21.48% alc./vol. (42.95° proof)
  • 19.2 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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

More cocktails by Victor Bergeron A.K.A Trader Vic

Review

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

Difford’s Shop logo
$1.10 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

John Hinojos Premium Member
Made again, but decided that I wanted to spike it up a bit. Added a 151 Demerara Rum float. Perfect.
score: 1
Chris Brislawn
This looks like Vic's non-blender version of the Beachcomber's Daiquiri. Using rhum agricole helps distinguish it from Donn's recipe (Rhum Negrita not being available stateside, probably for various reasons). This is too sweet, however, and I'm not sure if the Angostura is "right" with a rhum agricole-forward drink. Tried cutting the sweet components and will continue to experiment. It seems the emphasis should be on the interplay between the agricole and the orange liqueur; Cointreau strikes me as a good choice.
score: 1
Chris Brislawn
Tried steering this in more of a Ti Punch direction last night using 2 oz Neisson Rhum Agricole Blanc, 1/2 oz Cointreau, 2/3 oz lime juice, 1 tsp sugar syrup, and grapefruit bitters (orange bitters might also be good). It's better with more agricole character coming through, and still sweet enough to compare & contrast to the Beachcomber's Daiquiri.
score: 1
Pär Ackelind
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..
score: 1
Simon Bradley
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.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
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.
score: 2
Chris Brislawn
Didn't try your variation but can tell that "Very much a different cocktail" is quite the understatement!
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
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)
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
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.
score: 3

View 8 comments and discussion

See more...

Tiki/tropical Cocktails

Tiki/tropical Cocktails image

Tiki or tropical cocktails are often based on rum and tend to be more elaborate, usually with citrus and other fruits.

View more
Difford’s Shop logo
$1.10 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Beach House

Beach House Image

Reminiscent of a Naked & Famous turned tropical.

View more

Borough

Borough Image

A Manhattan variation created to help promote US-made Dubonnet Rouge, but is best made with French Dubonnet Red, or indeed another red quinquina.

View more

Roman Punch

Roman Punch Image

This recipe (by yours truly in August 2026) combines elements from various vintage Roman Punch recipes to produce a cooling fruity sour laced with...

View more

The Aftermath

The Aftermath Image

Most bartenders would stir this cocktail, as per Robin's original recipe. However, when shaken, this cocktail develops an attractive foamy head and a...

View more

Difford's House

Difford's House Image

My old tom gin version of the classic Holland House, mostly leaning on the recipe in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book.

View more

Tango (by Mattia Capezzuoli)

Tango (by Mattia Capezzuoli) Image

A Cleansing riff on a Paloma with subtle bittersweetness.

View more