A few years back, a couple of fun-lovin’ guys from Florida declared that September 19 would be celebrated, at least in their own buccaneer-loving circles, as Talk Like A Pirate Day. Word got out and now it’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day, thanks to some truly serendipitous publicity from a local newspaper columnist of national renown. Not only does this swashbuckling duo advocate talking like a pirate every September 19, they also recommend singing, dressing, and acting in pirately fashion all day long. They probably drink pirately cocktails, too.

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Blue Hawaiian Recipe

What you’ll need to get started:

A blender, ice, a large cocktail glass or goblet, and the following ingredients:

1 jigger (1 measure) blue curacao
1 jigger (1 measure) sweetened coconut cream (not coconut milk)
2 jiggers (2 measures) light rum
2 jiggers (2 measures) pineapple juice

Garnishes? Go wild. Think Carmen Miranda, orange slices, cherries, pineapple wedges, . . the list is long, luscious, and colorful. Have fun here.

Fill the blender about 1/4 to 1/3 full with ice and pour the curacao, coconut cream, and rum into the blender and process till the blue color is evenly distributed throughout the brew. You’ll want this drink more slushy than frozen so use the ice sparingly here. Add pineapple juice and process once again just long enough to distribute the blue curacao throughout. Strain your Blue Hawaiian, pour into a glass filled with ice, and decorate that drink like a tropical paradise.

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Trade Winds Recipe

What you’ll need to get started:

A cocktail shaker and strainer, ice, a cocktail glass filled with crushed ice, and the following ingredients:

2 jiggers (2 measures) light rum
1/2 jigger (1/2 measure) plum brandy (slivovitz works great!)
1/2 jigger (1/2 measure) lime juice
1/2 jigger (1/2 measure) orgeat (an almond syrup available in the mixers section of most liquor stores)

Pour all ingredients over ice in the cocktail shaker, shake till outside of container becomes cool to the touch, then strain into the ice-filled glass.

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Round the World Recipe

What you’ll need to get started:

A cocktail shaker and strainer, ice, a cocktail glass at the ready, and the following ingredients:

1-1/2 jiggers (1-1/2 measures) green creme de menthe
1 jigger (1 measure) gin
2-1/2 jiggers (2.5 measures) pineapple juice
Garnish: Pineapple wedge on a skewer

Pour all ingredients over ice in the cocktail shaker, shake till outside of container becomes cool to the touch, then strain into cocktail glass.

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Pirate Grog Recipe

What you’ll need to get started:

A cocktail shaker and strainer, ice, a large cocktail glass or goblet, and the following ingredients:

1 jigger (1 measure) light rum
1 Tablespoon (1/3 measure) apricot brandy
1 Tablespoon (1/3 measure) Falernum*
1 jigger (1 measure) sweet-and-sour mix
2 Tablespoons (2/3 measure) orange juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 Tablespoon (1/3 measure) dark rum
Garnishes: Maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks

Pour all ingredients from light rum to Angostura bitters into the cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake till shaker is cool to the touch. Strain and pour into large ice-filled glass. Float the dark rum on top before garnishing with cherries and / or pineapple.

*Falernum is a spicier version of orgeat syrup. Almond is the basic flavor of each but each one contains a proprietary blend of other spices and flavors, too. Both are available where bar supplies are sold. Substitute one for the other, if necessary.