If any song of his comes on inevitably in a bar, there is not a loud whooping from the crowd; instead, it is just a recognition, with a few probably picking up the verses audibly. It is not a boisterous celebration but instead a calm “of course, it is coming on” recognition. And as it stands, imbibing proper cocktails goes hand-in-hand with the man’s music and mystique.

As a testament to the manner that Buffett’s discography is woven into life here, one of his songs that is considered a staple was not even an official release. “Boat Drinks” was a B-side for the anthemic ballad “Survive,” from his “Volcano” album, but has risen to become well known by his fans and was a signature inclusion of his concerts. It has all of the classic Buffett elements; steel drums, bouncing keyboards, and his trademark humor infused in a Caribbean melody.

The lyrics have him landlocked in winter conditions, pining for the tropics, and the closest he can get is through the delivery of beach-like concoctions. 

This Morning/

I shot 6 holes in my freezer/

I think I got cabin fever/

Somebody sound the alarm

In 1992, as CDs were just coming to the fore, Buffett released “Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads,” a four-disc boxed set that sold over four million units. Each subject in the title was the heading of a dedicated disc of songs on that topic from his vast catalogue. In the liner notes, he details he wrote the song in Boston, after being holed up in a hockey bar owned by a former Bruins player (thus the hockey references). Outside in the cold, he could not get a ride but found a taxi cab running in front of the place next door, which he absconded with to get to his hotel. 

To say drinking and Jimmy Buffett go hand-in-hand is to traffic in undershaken understatement. (He had enough potable hits that this song was included on the “Boats” disc.) Buffett was also an entrepreneur, and he had -- to go along with his Margaritaville restaurant franchise -- a line of spirits under that banner. They produce a gold and a silver tequila, four rums (white, dark, spiced, and coconut), and eight other ready-mixed cocktails.

Tag your brewski crew! pic.twitter.com/7VeP6mG3OP

— LandShark Lager (@landsharklager) January 24, 2022

Also in conjunction with his chain, Anheuser Busch produced Landshark Lager, beginning in 2006, to be served in Buffett’s restaurants, but has achieved enough popularity (with help from Parrotheads nationwide) to be offered in package locations. It was named after his hit song “Fins,” which Buffett co-wrote with Florida Keys mystery novelist Tom Cocoran. Unlike Corona, this is made in the true Caribbean lager style, a dry and crisp beer with much better flavor. 

Well, we need to delve into the cocktails now to savor in a beachside setting, or to deliver such, wherever you might be landlocked. I will bypass the expected selections -- most are already familiar with Margaritas, Pina Coladas, Rum Runners, and the like -- and bring about some, hopefully, newer options. Rest assured, you cannot go wrong with one of two staples (preferably both), being rum and tequila.

     THE Boat Drink

As Buffett mentioned in his commentary from the boxed set, this simple concoction was what he had been drinking in the Boston bar one fateful winter.

• 2oz. Rum

• Tonic

• Lime

Pour ingredients over ice in a rocks glass, garnish with lime wedge. Or using a Collins glass, double each ingredient.

    The Banana Boat

This is a great frozen relief while the temperatures are still warm. Mix the amounts based on the servings.

• 1oz. Spiced Rum

• 1oz. Brandy

• 1oz. Creme de Banana

• 1 Scoop vanilla ice cream

Combine in a blender to smooth, pour in a fluted brandy snifter, float creme de banana, garnish with frozen banana slice. *For a variation, you can add creme de cacao and a chocolate-dipped banana slice.

    The U-boat

This is a version of the Boilermaker that incorporates a visual variable

• 1 Bottle Landshark Lager

• 1 Shot Dark Rum

This will require a Collins glass, a slender shot glass, and a beer pint. Set the Collins glass upside down, rest the shot on top, and fill with rum. Invert the pint glass and set it over the shot, then while holding the pint and Collins glass, turn them over so the shot is upside down in the pint. Fill with beer, and the rum will seep out as you drink.

To make this a Depth Charge, replace the Dark Rum with 151 Rum.

The tropical version of a Boilermaker — THE U-BOAT.

Use Dark rum with @LandsharkLager, then use care when preparing it. pic.twitter.com/phlLSDcKfD

— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) September 21, 2023

Bahama Mama

This is a personal favorite, made better with higher quality rums…and maybe a heavier pour of each.

• 1oz. Spiced Rum

• 1oz. Dark Rum

• 1oz. Coconut Rum

• 1oz. Creme de Banana

• 1.5 oz Orange Juice

• 1.5oz. Pineapple Juice

• Grenadine

Mix the fluids in a shaker with ice, shake for 15-30 seconds, pour into a Hurricane glass, and drizzle the Grenadine. Garnish with a wedge of pineapple and an orange wheel.

    5-O’clock Somewhere

The passion fruit tequila cocktail is one of the Margaritaville brand of mixers.

• 2oz. White Rum

• 1oz. Passionfruit Tequila Cocktail

• 1.5 Oz. Orange Juice

• 1.5oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1oz. Sour Mix

• 1 Tsp. Grenadine

Mix all six ingredient in a shaker with ice, shake and pour into a Collins glass, garnish with an orange folded around a cherry.

    Key West Cooler

You don’t need to be at Mile Marker-0 to sit back with a Hemingway novel in one hand and one of these in the other.

• 1 Shot Gold Tequila

• 3/4 oz. Triple Sec

• 1oz. Cranberry Juice

• 2oz. Sour Mix

• 2 Tsp. Sugar

Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a Collins glass, garnish with a long lime twist.