The Best Boat Drink

Sailing World editor Dave Reed reports on the winning entry of their Ultimate Boat Drink Contest…

“Wow. That went down way too easy.”

Those were the very words that popped into my head after sampling the winning entry in our Ultimate Boat Drink Contest presented by Regatta Ginger Beer. In fact, that darned cocktail went down so quick I reached for of another of the shot-size plastic sample cups to be sure I wasn’t just thirsty.

Yep. The second went down just as easy. And left me wanting more.

Could it be? Would it stand up against the now ubiquitous Dark n’ Stormy?

Oh yes. Most definitely.

The Red Sky at Night is a worthy, and possibly even superior, rival, if only it weren’t for its key, but hard-to-find essential ingredient: purple basil. I do, however, know this easy-to-grow herb will be making its way into my home garden next summer.

The Red Sky’s mixologist Mark Gillespie reminds us that common green basil will not work as a substitute, so unless you like drinking your pesto, don’t even try it. The Red Sky’s essence seems to be drawn from the purple basil’s mildly spicy flavors – there are hints of clove and cinnamon – which somehow soothe the desired bite of the all-natural Regatta Ginger Beer. When the two ingredients meet juice of lime and white rum, there’s magic in that glass. – Read on