Old St. Croix

Old St. Croix Cocktails

Old St. Croix has been part of the journey all the way from 19th-century punch bowls in the tropical heat to 1950s bottle labels featuring Cuba Libre and Rum Collins.

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Old St. Croix Cocktails

A Tribute to the Original cocktails

Old St. Croix has been part of the journey all the way from 19th-century punch bowls in the tropical heat to 1950s bottle labels featuring Cuba Libre and Rum Collins. Each recipe in this collection is a small time capsule – a sip of history, reimagined for today.

Whether you’re building your drink with lime and soda or shaking up a daiquiri, one thing is certain: the Old St. Croix blend in your glass carries more than flavor. It holds legacy, craftsmanship and stories – created to be shared.

Original Cocktail Recipes with St. Croix Rum
Rum from St. Croix (once called Santa Cruz) has featured in cocktail culture since the 1800s. Until 1917, St. Croix was part of the Danish West Indies, and the rum from the island was considered a refined West India style – highly regarded for its quality. Below you’ll find a selection of authentic cocktail recipes, from the 1800s to the present, all celebrating the use of St. Croix rum.

Old St. Croix Rum Fix

A “Fix” is a nearly forgotten cocktail style that emerged in the mid-1800s. The name comes from the phrase “to fix a drink” – meaning to whip up something simple and refreshing. A Fix is essentially a mini punch: individually served with spirits, citrus juice, sugar or syrup – and plenty of ice. In Barnes’ St. Croix Rum Fix (1884), pineapple syrup adds the tropical charm that makes the drink “fixed” – easy, sweet, exotic and perfect for sunny days.

  • 6 cl Old St. Croix
  • 5 cl pineapple juice
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (or 1 cl sugar syrup)

Garnish: Thin slice of lemon, lime or pineapple

Method: Dissolve the sugar in the lemon and pineapple juice directly in a tumbler glass. Add Old St. Croix and fill with crushed ice. Stir briefly and garnish with lime, lemon or pineapple. Serve with a straw.

Brandy Milk Punch

Brandy Milk Punch – a chilled milk-based punch – was a favorite in the 19th century, especially in New Orleans. It blends grape-based brandy with sugarcane-based spirit (rum), creating a creamy yet spirited combination. This recipe calls for a barrel-aged St. Croix blend to bring out the full depth of flavor.

Ingredients (per glass):

  • 1 teaspoon sugar and 3 cl water (or 1 cl sugar syrup)
  • 6 cl brandy/cognac
  • 3 cl Old St. Croix Black Barrel
  • 12–15 cl whole milk
  • 1 ice cube


Garnish:
Grated nutmeg

Method: Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Old Delaware Fishing Punch

From Harry Johnson’s Bartenders’ Manual (1888), this single-serve punch recipe reimagines the classic fisherman’s punch. Old Delaware Fishing Punch combines St. Croix rum with brandy, lemon and lime for a vibrant, citrus-forward kick. The blend reflects a late-19th-century trend: mixing rum and brandy for layered complexity. St. Croix rum made up roughly two-thirds of the alcohol base, delivering soft, Caribbean character, while a touch of brandy added finesse.

Ingredients (per glass):

  • 1 tablespoon sugar (or 2 cl sugar syrup)
  • A few drops of lemon juice
  • A few drops of lime juice
  • 6 cl Old St. Croix Black Barrel
  • 3 cl cognac


Garnish:
Lime, orange or other tropical fruit

Method: Dissolve the sugar in a little water in a tumbler glass. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with crushed ice. Stir well, garnish with lime, orange or other tropical fruit, and serve with a straw.

The Gem

A nearly forgotten tropical cocktail from The Flowing Bowl (1891) by William Schmidt. The Gem dates to a time when tropical flavors like rum, citrus, and pineapple found their way into cocktails long before the tiki era. In Ned King’s modern version, the original is honored with a split base of brandy and rum, pineapple syrup and lime. The result? A frothy, spicy-sweet cocktail that evokes the spirit of adventure – and celebrates the role St. Croix rum played in shaping cocktail history.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cl cognac or brandy
  • 3 cl Old St. Croix Black Barrel
  • 5 cl fresh lime juice
  • 5 cl pineapple syrup
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters


Garnish:
Freshly grated cinnamon

Method: Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and sprinkle a little grated cinnamon on top.

Garnish for Your Old St. Croix Cocktail

The garnish in an Old St. Croix cocktail isn’t just for show – it completes the drink and brings that Caribbean flair to life. In traditional punches and early rum cocktails, fresh, aromatic fruit played a key role. And there’s no reason we shouldn’t keep that tradition alive today.

Citrus is essential. A slice or wheel of lime, lemon, or orange adds brightness and color, while a twist of peel gives both fragrance and finesse. Orange wedges – a punch classic – remain a timeless choice.

Tropical fruits like pineapple and passionfruit lend natural sweetness and an exotic touch. Dried pineapple or fresh starfruit (carambola), which also grows in the Caribbean, makes for an eye-catching finish. Pomegranate seeds bring sparkle to punch bowls – and look stunning in ice-filled glasses.

Whether you go fresh or dried depends on the style and occasion: long drinks and punch can be festive and dressed up, while a classic sour or cocktail is best served with one carefully chosen garnish.

A taste for any occasion

 

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XO Reserve
Royal Danish Navy
Premium Master Blends
Creams

Old St. Croix Rum Collins

The post-war era and the golden age of advertising made Old St. Croix a fixture in the world of drinks. Bottle labels and colorful ads promoted the blend as a perfect base for cocktails and long drinks – a way to enjoy West Indian spirit that fit seamlessly into a new, modern lifestyle.

– 6 cl Old St. Croix XO Legacy Reserve
– Juice of 1 lime or ½ lemon
– 1 teaspoon sugar (or 1/2 cl sugar syrup)
– Sprite

Add the sugar and citrus juice to a tumbler or highball glass and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add Old St. Croix and ice cubes. Top with Sprite and stir gently once. Garnish with a thin slice of lime or lemon on the rim of the glass. 

Old St. Croix summer playlist

Dive into the vibrant world of Old St. Croix’  Summer Rhythms, a curated Spotify playlist that encapsulates the essence of sun-kissed days and balmy nights. This playlist serves as the perfect soundtrack for your summer escapades.

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Cream Original

Cream Original - A soft, creamy, and irresistibly indulgent — like a dessert you don’t want to share.

Cream Caramel

A luxurious Caramel Cream with a smooth and sweet taste of caribbean spirits, caramel, and sea salt.

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Family Reserve

Old St. Croix Family Reserve was first created in 2015 for a major Riise family reunion – a private gathering that takes place every five years.

Non Plus Ultra La Galante

Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - La Galante is named after Columbus’ ship Santa Maria La Galante, which carried him to St. Croix and the West Indies.

Non Plus Ultra Very Rare

Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - Very Rare is only produced when our Master Distiller identifies casks of truly exceptional quality from the finest distilleries in the Caribbean.

Non Plus Ultra Black Edition

Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - Black Edition is the most intense expression in the series. Crafted from selected casks sourced from renowned distilleries in the Caribbean.

Non Plus Ultra Ambre d’Or Excellence

Old St. Croix Non Plus Ultra - Ambre d’Or Excellence is the most elegant expression in the series – named for its amber-golden glow and sweet dessert wines.

Black Spinel

The 3rd blend in the Black Gem Collection, inspired by the rare black gemstones that hide deep beneath the soil and waters of the West Indies.

Black Larimar

The 2nd blend in the Black Gem Collection, inspired by the rare black gemstones that hide deep beneath the soil and waters of the West Indies.

Black Coral

The 1st blend in the Black Gem Collection, inspired by the rare black gemstones that hide deep beneath the soil and waters of the West Indies.

Signature

Signature is created as a tribute to the man behind our brand—the visionary pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise (1810–1882), who journeyed to the Caribbean driven by a spirit of discovery.

A.H. Riise Signature bottle

Platinum Reserve

A.H. Riise Platinum is created from small batch of unique rum. The heart of the blend is two Solera aged rums from aged casks.

Centennial Celebration

A tribute blend not only to A.H. Riise, but also to the indigenous population of the islands as well as the Danish colonists.

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Black Barrel Navy Spiced

Old St. Croix Black Barrel Navy Spiced was developed in close collaboration between our Master Distiller and experienced bartenders — with one goal in mind: to elevate your cocktails.

Naval Cadet

Old St. Croix Royal Danish Navy - Naval Cadet was created in collaboration with the Cadet Association of the Royal Danish Naval Academy – the world’s oldest naval officer school, founded in 1701.

Navy Frogman

Old St. Croix Royal Danish Navy - Frogman was created as a tribute to the Danish Frogman Corps – an elite unit whose courage and strength help secure the safety we often take for granted.

Navy Strength

Throughout history, spirits and seafaring have gone hand in hand—along with a fair share of trickery and dilution. To ensure quality, sailors came up with a simple test: they poured the spirit onto gunpowder and lit it.

Navy Bitter

A tasteful Bitter with the taste of gentian root, quinine, bitter orange, coffee beans and a touch of vanilla.

A.H. Riise Royal Danish Navy rum

The Frigate Jylland

Enjoying this blend means supporting the preservation of an iconic piece of Danish maritime heritage – the Frigate Jylland.

The Original Navy

When Albert Heinrich Riise began his production in the Danish West Indies in 1838, the Danish navy was among his first loyal customers.

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24 Experiences, 2025 Edition

Invite your senses on a journey with Old St. Croix - 24 Experiences. An exclusive tasting box that takes you back to the Caribbean islands.

XO Legacy Reserve

150 years ago, Danish pharmacist and adventurer Albert Heinrich Riise introduced spirits from the West Indies to the world under the name Old St. Croix – a tribute to the lush Caribbean island of St. Croix, renowned for its sugarcane cultivation.

175 Years Anniversary

In 2013, we marked 175 years since Danish pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise first opened his Apothecary Hall on Saint Thomas in the Danish West Indies.

Thin Blue Line

When you enjoy this blend, you're also supporting Thin Blue Line Denmark — a nonprofit organization that helps current and former police officers who have been physically or mentally injured in the line of duty.

Christmas Edition

In the former Danish West Indies, Christmas was celebrated just like in the North – with hymns, holiday stories, and dancing around the tree, even if it had to be shipped across the Atlantic.

Port Cask

If you enjoy deep, complex flavors with a hint of fruity elegance, Old St. Croix XO Reserve - Port Cask is an excellent choice.

Ambre d`Or

“Ambre d’Or” means “golden amber” – a nod to both the radiant hue and the luxurious quality of this exclusive blend.

Superior Cask

When it comes to remarkable blends, the choice of casks makes all the difference. Each oak barrel brings its own personality while carrying subtle notes from the wines it once held—often port or sherry.

Founders Reserve 44,8%

A collectors item. The third of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

Founders Reserve 44,3%

A collectors item. The second of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

Explorer Edition

Fans and collectors are treated with a limited edition blend in tribute to researchers and explorers.

Founders Reserve 45,5%

A collectors item. The last of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.

Founders Reserve 44,4%

A collectors item. The fifth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.

Founders Reserve 45,1%

A collectors item. The fourth of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths.

Founders Reserve 44,5%

A collectors item. The first of 6 different Master blends with 6 different alcohol strengths with unique aromas and expressions.

1888 Copenhagen Medal

Old St. Croix XO Reserve - 1888 Copenhagen Medal is a modern tribute to the blend awarded a medal at the Great Nordic Exhibition in Copenhagen in 1888 – a proud moment for the family of pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise.

Haakon Royal Reserve

In the late 1800s, a special friendship bloomed in the Danish West Indies—between two young men: the future King Haakon VII of Norway and Valdemar Riise, son of pharmacist Albert Heinrich Riise.

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