Movie » Drink Like Johnny Depp in 'The Rum Diary'

Johnny Depp = (Photos by (L-R) PacificCoastNews, Film District, Sailor Jerry)


Ever wish you could party like Johnny Depp? Or maybe you want to get in the right, shall we say, "mindset" before you go see his new deranged adventure film, The Rum Diary? Either way, the folks behind the movie have partnered up with Sailor Jerry to develop a couple cocktails that complement the titular alcohol and nod to the film's characters and the unique, iconoclastic author who brought them to life.

Hunter S. Thomspon's novel-turned-movie has Johnny Depp's character escape the States to dive deep in the heart of Puerto Rico where he develops a penchant for consuming copious amounts of the local drink of choice: rum. With Depp's rum habit a character in its own right and Thompson's reputation as the rebellious father of gonzo journalism, it makes sense to pair with Sailor Jerry, a Caribbean spiced rum with a higher alcohol content that's named after a tattoo artist who, like Thompson and Depp, lived life by his own rules.

So if you want to make watching The Rum Diary a complete experience or if you're just looking for a great cocktail to break out at your next party, take note of the two cocktails of choice: Hunter's Punch and the Etcetera.

Hunter's Punch is a great group drink because, as the name would suggest, it's designed to be served in a punch bowl. Here's what it takes:

• 1.5 part Sailor Jerry Rum

• 2 part pom juice

• .5 part lemon

• .5 part champagne

• Bottom of punch bowl add pom juice and lemon juice. Stir slowly with ice. Add rum and stir some more. Slowly add champagne while stirring. Keep punch cool with minimal ice. Serve chilled in desired glass.

The rum and pom juice pair surprisingly well together and the champagne adds a welcome fizz to the mix.

The Etcetera is a more traditional tropical rum beverage and goes a little something like this:

• 1.5 part Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

• .75 part fresh lime juice

• .25 part homemade cinnamon allspice syrup

• 1 part pineapple juice

• Add ingredients to rocks filled mixing glass. Shake. Strain into old fashioned glass. Serve down in glass. 

The pineapple juice shaken should give the cocktail a nice froth, and the lime juice balances out the sweetness. These will go down easy, so watch yourself; we don't want you to totally end up like Depp's character.

Enjoy The Rum Diary and its special cocktails, and, as always, drink responsibly.

Check out the trailer for The Rum Diary: