The Flying Dutchman is a legendary ghostly pirate ship from the 17th century that’s doomed to sail the ocean forever. This spectral ship is the inspiration behind the Flying Dutchman cocktail, a gin drink with a ghostly look and flavor notes straight from the briny deep!
What is a Flying Dutchman Cocktail?
The Flying Dutchman cocktail at its core is a simple mixed drink, with the classic recipe consisting of gin and Cointreau (or another orange-flavored liqueur).
While it can be served as a strong, sippable spirit with just the 2 ingredients, I wanted to twist it up and create something unique that embodies the ghostly pirate lore and still makes a delicious cocktail with a perfect balance of complex flavors.
So, I’ve added some apple juice and apple liqueur, along with some seaweed to add a ghostly green color, slightly salty note, and nautical flair as a nod to the legendary ghost ship!
This keeps the Flying Dutchman simple yet flavorful, with the herbal and juniper elements of the gin pairing with the sweet orange and apple notes with a hint of salt for a bold, refreshing cocktail.
Serve it for Halloween, pirate themed parties, for the adults at a Spongebob themed party, or anytime you’d like a unique beverage!
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Flying Dutchman Cocktail Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ½ ounce green apple liqueur (such as apple pucker)
- 3 ounces green apple juice
- Seaweed (I use Wakame strips but you can cut strips of Nori as well)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use your favorite gin! Experiment with different varieties (I use a local brand, but a Dutch gin like Genever is another good choice), as they all have slightly different herbal notes and complexity which can alter the drink. This is a great option if you have a nautical or ocean gin you’ve been wanting to try! You could also use an orange gin for added citrus flavor
- Instead of green apple liqueur, you can use another green-colored liqueur such as Midori (melon) or anything else similar
- If you can’t find green apple juice (my store often doesn’t have it) then use plain apple juice and a tiny bit of food coloring (or else it will be amber colored instead). I used a toothpick dipped in Wilton Juniper green gel to achieve the pictured color
- To add sweetness (if you need it; I think the juice is enough), use a little simple syrup or honey to taste
- The seaweed is technically optional, but I think it really adds a spooky, ghost pirate flair to the drink. You can also opt for a sea salt rim on the glass to add a briny note without needing to get the seaweed. If you do go for the seaweed and have some left over, you can make it into a healthy Seaweed Smoothie for breakfast!
How to Make a Flying Dutchman Cocktail
- If using the seaweed, place 3-4 strips per drink into a bowl with cold water, and let it sit to rehydrate for about 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry once supple
- In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, triple sec, apple liqueur, and apple juice (as well as the food coloring if you’re using it), along with a couple ice cubes
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 20-30 seconds, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass (like a rocks or coupe glass, or similar), filled with crushed ice if you’d like
- Add the seaweed strips to the glass to garnish, or add a slice of orange or apple if preferred. Enjoy!
- Swedish Fish Shot
- Mermaid Rum Punch
Recipe FAQs
What Type of Gin Works Best in a Flying Dutchman Cocktail?
The cocktail works well with a classic dry gin, but you can experiment with different gins depending on your preference. An ocean or nautical gin is a nice nod to the cocktail as well.
London dry gins bring out more juniper-forward flavors, while contemporary gins with softer botanicals may offer a more delicate balance with the orange and apple flavors.
Can You Make a Flying Dutchman Cocktail Without Cointreau?
Yes, you can substitute Cointreau with another orange liqueur such as Triple Sec, O3, or Grand Marnier, or just use an orange flavored gin, though the flavor profile may change slightly.
Each of these liqueurs has varying degrees of sweetness and bitterness that will affect the drink’s overall taste, but you can balance this with the apple for more control.
Is the Flying Dutchman Cocktail a Strong Drink?
Traditionally, yes, the Flying Dutchman is considered a strong cocktail because it contains only spirits (gin and orange liqueur) without any mixers to dilute the alcohol content.
However, my version offers a more balanced drink, using juice to round out the otherwise bold, spirit-forward flavoring. You can customize for your personal tastes, though!
What Food Pairs Well With a Flying Dutchman Cocktail?
Light seafood dishes, herb-infused appetizers, and citrus-flavored items are excellent choices to pair with a Flying Dutchman cocktail.
The refreshing citrus flavors of the drink complement these foods beautifully.
Tips For the Best Flying Dutchman Drink
- If you want to serve this drink over ice, I recommend using crushed ice so you can add the seaweed more easily and have it flow more in the drink
- Unlike the traditional 2-ingredient version of this recipe, my mixed drink is more balanced because of the juice. However, you can adjust the strength to your liking by adding more or less juice, or you can always add extra ice to dilute as well without sweetening
Serving and Presentation Tips
- While garnishes are optional (especially if you are using the seaweed), you can add a slice of orange, twist of orange peel, lemon twist, or lime for a little extra flair when serving
- Do not drape the seaweed over the edges of the glass. Even though it looks really spooky that way, it serves as a wick and very quickly will pool liquid outside the glass
- A Flying Dutchman is usually served in a chilled rocks or old-fashioned glass over ice. You can also use another type of lowball glass or a coupe glass if desired
More Halloween Cocktails
Final Thoughts
This Flying Dutchman is a unique twist on a classic cocktail, tempering a very strong drink into something more sippable with a refreshing taste! The combination of apple, gin, and orange liqueur makes for a delicious mixed drink.
Add in some seaweed for a briny, nautical effect, and use green elements to make it a ghostly concoction perfect for Halloween! Of course, it’s also suitable for your pirate party, or a great adult beverage for a Spongebob theme too!
No matter which way you decide to serve it, my Flying Dutchman is well balanced in terms of strength and sweetness, for a crowd-pleasing sip. However, you can always customize it more to your personal tastes, which is something I always love about cocktails!
Speaking of customizing, you can also pair this cocktail with the similarly named Flying Dutchman Burger in the Air Fryer, which is my In-n-Out custom burger copycat version!
Flying Dutchman Cocktail Recipe With Gin
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Rocks glass (or similar)
- Small bowl (for soaking seaweed)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ½ ounce green apple liqueur (such as sour apple pucker)
- 3 ounces green apple juice (or plain apple juice and green food coloring)
- 2-3 pieces seaweed (I use Wakame strips but you can cut strips of Nori as well)
Instructions
- If using the seaweed, place 3-4 strips per drink into a bowl with cold water, and let it sit to rehydrate for about 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry once supple2-3 pieces seaweed
- In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, triple sec, apple liqueur, and apple juice (as well as the food coloring if you’re using it), along with a couple ice cubes2 ounces gin, ½ ounce triple sec, ½ ounce green apple liqueur, 3 ounces green apple juice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 20-30 seconds, then strain into a rocks or coupe glass (or similar), filled with crushed ice if you’d like (optional)
- Add the seaweed strips to the glass to garnish, or add a slice of orange or apple if preferred. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use your favorite gin! Experiment with different varieties, as they all have slightly different herbal notes which can alter the drink (this is a great place to use a nautical or ocean gin)
- Instead of green apple liqueur, you can use another green-colored liqueur such as Midori (melon) or anything else similar
- If you can’t find green apple juice (my store often doesn’t have it) then use plain apple juice and a tiny bit of food coloring (or else it will be amber colored instead). I used a toothpick dipped in Wilton Juniper green gel to achieve the pictured color
- The seaweed is technically optional, but I think it really adds a spooky, ghost pirate flair to the drink. You can also opt for a sea salt rim on the glass to add a briny note without needing to get the seaweed
- Do not drape the seaweed over the edges of the glass. Even though it looks really spooky that way, it serves as a wick and very quickly will pool liquid outside the glass!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
