A Night in Old Mandalay – Split Rum Citrus Ginger Highball

The A Night in Old Mandalay is a split-rum citrus highball made with light rum, añejo rum, orange juice, lemon juice, and ginger ale. The exact origin is not firmly documented, so it is better presented as a named rum highball than as a historically verified colonial recipe.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Light Rum - clean sugarcane backbone.
• Añejo Rum - adds oak and richer rum character.
• Orange Juice - softer citrus sweetness.
• Lemon Juice - sharper acidity.
• Ginger Ale - adds sweetness, spice, and carbonation.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Highball Glass
• Jigger
• Strainer

Two Rums, Two Citruses

The split rum base adds depth without making the drink heavy, while orange and lemon provide enough acidity and fruit to stand up to the ginger ale.

Substitutions & Variations

Aged rum can replace the añejo rum. Ginger beer creates a spicier variation. Fresh orange and lemon juice give the cleanest balance.

Helpful Tips

• Shake only the rums and juices.
• Add ginger ale after straining.
• Use fresh ice in the serving glass.
• Stir only once or twice after topping.