Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by Lydia Martin
The Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is bold yet smooth and made from all-natural Caribbean flavors and rich aromatic spices. A blend of vanilla, cinnamon, and other flavors can be detected when you pour this dark rum into a glass.
The brand makes spiced rum exclusively and hasn’t yet added any other label. Check out the price below.
Sailor Jerry – A Little History
The hula girl on the label of every bottle represents survival and safety.
Before airlines came about, the only way to get to Hawaii was through the sea. The only people who ever set foot on the island were sailors, and they were always warmly greeted by beautiful hula dancers.
A famed tattoo artist during the 1920s named Norman Keith Collins (Sailor Jerry Collins) was the namesake for the rum. He had a taste for adventure and started hitchhiking across the United States at a young age. At nineteen, he served in the United States Navy, where instead of borders, he traveled across oceans to other countries. Eventually, he became captain of his ship.
Norman Collins eventually settled in Honolulu after years of service in the United States Navy, in the midst of World War Two.
Soldiers on shore leave in the Hawaii region [1] queued up to get inked by the renowned tattoo artist before they went on their way. His tattoo art was inspired by his adventures and is a fusion of Asian and American culture – a real independent spirit.
How It’s Made
The Sailor Jerry Rum is named in honor of the tattoo artist, and its recipe dates back to the time when sailors would take it upon themselves to improve the taste of their alcohol supply.
Only the best Caribbean rums are blended in to make the Sailor Jerry Rum. This dark rum is distilled and produced in the region of the US Virgin Islands and has a blend of strong vanilla and cinnamon notes. Expect a strong kick with each sip with this rum’s 40 percent ABV – and for an affordable price.
In the UK, the Sailor Jerry Rum has a different flavor — it’s way sweeter to accompany the palate of UK drinkers.
Compared to Other Rum Brands
All rums, including the Jerry Rum, are made from distilling sugarcane and then aged in wooden oak barrels. You will find that all famous rum brands will fall under the same price range. Factors such as age and exotic botanicals can impact rum prices in stores.
Malibu Rum is famous for its coconut and all other fruit-flavored rums. The iconic white bottle is a bar staple, and bartenders often use it as a mixer to many different drinks. These two brands are comparable in terms of prices. Check out Malibu rum flavors here.
Kraken Rum is a rich black rum — their rum recipe is rumored to have squid ink which contributes to its dark color. Both brands produce only their signature rum and no other variety. A bottle of Kraken Black Rum is slightly more expensive in price than a bottle of Sailor Jerry Rum.
Captain Morgan and Sailor Jerry are the best brands to pit against one another. Both the Captain Morgan and Jerry brands sell at the same prices. The Captain Morgan brand has expanded to include products like white rum and fruit-flavored rum with a little price variation.
The Bacardi Rum brand revolutionized the world rum-making process with innovations such as charcoal filtering. In terms of prices, these two rum brands are comparable. Bacardi has plenty of other liquor products, such as Bacardi scotch, vodka, and whiskey.
How to Drink Sailor Jerry
The Sailor Jerry Rum is a little hard to drink straight — this alcohol will get you drunk quickly. Surprisingly, though, the Sailor Jerry Rum burns with a ton of flavor, unlike other strong alcohol. As the burn goes down, you’ll be able to detect spicy notes of caramel and cinnamon with hints of citrus, like lime.
Sailor Jerry Rum can also be a great mixer to cocktails. Sailor Jerry Rum and coke are excellent together — this drink tastes like spicy vanilla coke.
Common Sailor Jerry Rum Prices
| Type | Size | Proof | Average Price |
| Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum | 750ml | 92 | $18.99 – $21.99 |
| 1L | 92 | $19.99 – $22.99 | |
| 1.75L | 92 | $24.99 – $28.99 |
Popular Sailor Jerry Rum-based Cocktails
The Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is an elegant rum drink yet surprisingly easy to make. Make one for yourself and a friend, for a price of one.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Sailor Jerry Rum
- Sugar cubes
- 1 dash of Angostura bitters
- Lemon peel
Directions:
Put everything inside a chilled shaker and shake well. Make sure to look at the sugar cubes to see if they’re dissolved completely. Strain and pour the rum mixture inside a lowball container with ice. Add a lemon peel for decor.
Bahama Papa
The Bahama Papa is a creamy, spicy rum beverage with a surprise hit of coffee liquor.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces Sailor Jerry Rum
- ¼ ounce coffee liquor
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce coconut milk
- Fruits for garnish
Directions:
Pour all liquids in an iced shaker and shake thoroughly. Pour inside a tall goblet with lots of ice and garnish with a cherry, pineapple wedge, and a mint leaf.
Hurricane Cocktail
The Hurricane was invented in New Orleans during World War Two. It’s a tarty cocktail with fresh flavors that you can make for yourself and your friend without having to go to New Orleans.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
- 1 ounce passion fruit puree
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup to taste
Directions:
Pour the rum and juices inside a tall glass filled with crushed ice and mix well with a bar spoon. This drink is also adjustable according to your palate. Add more syrup for a sweeter flavor.
Rum Punch
You can make the Rum Punch in a huge punch bowl so your guests can self-serve at your next house party.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
- Fruit punch for flavor
- Fruit wheels (you can use lemon, orange, and pineapple)
- Lots of ice
Directions:
In a large bowl, throw everything in and mix. Make sure that you keep this bowl of rum punch chilled all evening or until your party’s over. And keep the alcohol away from kids!
Ginger Daiquiri
If you want an extra kick to the classic daiquiri, try the Ginger Daiquiri instead.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
- ¾ ounce ginger syrup
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
Directions:
To make the ginger syrup:
- Heat up ¾ cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan and look until the sugar dissolves.
- Add ginger slices and bring to a boil, then continue to simmer for the next 15 minutes.
- Once this mixture has cooled down, strain the ginger and transfer it to a container.
- Seal tightly.
Combine the rum, ginger syrup, and lime juice inside a mixer and shake vigorously to make the drink. Pour all into a chilled cocktail glass and top with a piece of candied ginger.
Mojito
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 4 lime wedges
- 4 to 8 mint leaves
- 1 small slice of fresh ginger
- 1 dash of aromatic bitters
Directions:
Muddle the simple syrup, lime wedges, mint leaves, and the ginger slice at the bottom of a tall glass to extract the natural flavors and oils. Fill the cocktail glass with crushed ice. Add other mixings. Stir well with a bar spoon and garnish with a mint sprig.
FAQs
How strong is Sailor Jerry rum?
Sailor Jerry Rum is among the strongest in the rum industry at 92 proof, with some variation in price for each size.
Why did Sailor Jerry rum change?
In 2011, First Drinks changed the formula of the Rum Sailor Jerry to the dismay of patrons. Their reason for changing the formula was that they wanted to bring back the classic recipe.
What spices are in Sailor Jerry?
The Sailor Jerry Rum includes spices like cinnamon, clove, vanilla, ginger, and lime.
Is Sailor Jerry good with Coke?
Yes, Sailor Jerry Rum tastes great with coke. If you mix Sailor Jerry Rum and coke, it tastes just like vanilla coke.
Is Sailor Jerry real rum?
Yes, Sailor Jerry Rum is real spiced rum coming from the US Virgin Islands.
Is Sailor Jerry a good rum?
It is known for its bold and spiced flavor profile, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a robust and distinctive spiced rum.
Is Sailor Jerry better than Captain Morgan?
Some may prefer the bolder and spicier flavor of Sailor Jerry, while others may enjoy the smoother taste of Captain Morgan.
Where does Sailor Jerry rum come from?
Sailor Jerry rum is named after Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, a prominent American tattoo artist.
Is Sailor Jerry better than Bacardi?
Sailor Jerry is a spiced rum with a robust flavor, while Bacardi offers a wide range of rums with varying characteristics.
How strong is Sailor Jerry rum?
Sailor Jerry rum typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 46%, which is higher than many standard rums.
Is Sailor Jerry good for rum and coke?
Its spiced and bold flavor profile adds complexity to the drink, making it a popular choice for this classic cocktail.
Why is Sailor Jerry so popular?
Sailor Jerry’s popularity can be attributed to its association with the bold and iconic tattoo artistry of Norman Collins, as well as its distinctively spiced flavor.
Which spiced rum is better Bacardi or Captain Morgan?
The preference between Bacardi and Captain Morgan for spiced rum depends on individual taste.
Who makes Sailor Jerry rum?
Sailor Jerry rum is produced by William Grant & Sons, a Scottish distillery.
How much alcohol is in Sailor Jerry?
Sailor Jerry rum typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 46%, making it a relatively strong spirit compared to standard rums.
Key Takeaways
The Sailor Jerry Rum is as rich and flavorful as the man’s life it was named after. This rum is bold and unabashed in honor of his free spirit.
Sailor Jerry Collins remains an inspiration and tells us it’s okay to break away from the mold to carve your path, and hopes that each Sailor Jerry Rum bottle will remind you of that. We like how the price is quite budget-friendly, too.
https://www.history.com/news/hawaii-wwii-martial-law
