The Jet Pilot is a classic cocktail that originated in 1958 at the Luau in Beverly Hills, co-owned by actor Steve Crane. This midcentury cocktail features a vibrant mix of Jamaican, demerara, and gold rums combined with grapefruit juice, lime juice, falernum, and cinnamon syrup, all enhanced with dashes of absinthe and bitters.

This cocktail draws inspiration from the tropical cocktail scene led by Don the Beachcomber, who was pivotal in creating drinks like the Fog Cutter, Cobra’s Fang, and Zombie. The Jet Pilot shares a close resemblance to another of Beach’s creations, the Test Pilot, but its ingredient list and build are notably similar to the popular Zombie cocktail.

Despite its complex and lengthy ingredient list, the Jet Pilot manages to deliver a well-balanced, refreshing drink. The combination of rums, lime juice, and sweeteners aligns with the traditional sour cocktail formula, reminiscent of a simple Daiquiri. The addition of multiple rums and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice enhances the depth of flavor, while the cinnamon syrup and falernum add sweetness and spice. A touch of Angostura bitters and absinthe introduces notes of baking spices and anise, rounding out the cocktail perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce overproof Jamaican rum
• 3/4 ounce overproof demerara rum
• 3/4 ounce gold rum
• 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup
• 1/2 ounce falernum
• 1 dash absinthe
• 1 dash bitters
• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Directions

1. Blend all liquid ingredients with 1 cup of crushed ice for 5 seconds.
2. Pour the mixture into a double Old-Fashioned glass and top with more crushed ice.
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

The Jet Pilot exemplifies the best of the tropical cocktail genre, bringing a piece of midcentury bar culture into the modern era.