The Five Trademarked Cocktails in the United States

Distillery 291, Goslings, Pussers, Sazerac, and Tropical Isle vigorously protect their unique alcoholic drinks.

Written by CraftJack | Updated 08/10/22 | 3 min read

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The four five trademarked cocktails are the Dark 'n Stormy, Hand Grenade, Painkiller, Sazerac and Whiskarita. We will discuss where they came from, who trademarked them, and how you can get ahold of them. But be wary, as they can be powerful intoxicants.

The trademark holding companies are specific about the ingredients though, causing much frustration with bartenders and nightclub owners around the United States and the rest of the world. It's not good enough to get one ingredient right, you must get them all. For example, no regular ginger beer will do when pouring a Dark 'n Stormy, a server must use Goslings.

Why trademark alcoholic cocktails?

To protect your IP and defend against improper use of it. That said, much of the industry is wary of trademarking cocktails for fear that bartenders will just move on and use liquors with similar flavor-profiles, thus excluding them from making any money. And they can't have that happening, can they?

Who trademarked the Dark 'n Stormy?

Goslings trademarked the Dark 'n Stormy. Goslings first applied on October 17th, 1984 for the trademark, but abandoned it in 1986. They then refiled in 1988, with a registration date of September 17th, 1991 and the rest is legal history as they say (do they?).

The drink itself is a 3-to-1 mix of Goslings Ginger Beer and Goslings Black Seal Rum. Garnished with a lime wedge, sipping a Dark 'N Stormy is the surest way to truly relax while visiting Bermuda.

You can try and make one at home, but you need Goslings' ingredients. A few ounces of Mount Gay rum mixed with Barritt's Ginger Beer, the original ginger beer of the Dark 'n Stormy, will do a good job of simulating the flavor, but it's not the same drink. Not at all, according to Goslings CEO, Malcolm Gosling Jr..

Who trademarked the Hand Grenade?

Tropical Isle trademarked the Hand Grenade, while Ludacris reminded us to drink them before attending the Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Served in a neon green grenade at Bourbon Street Tropical Isles in New Orleans is this timed explosion of sugary flavor and booze. It is purportedly New Orleans Most Powerful Drink®.

There's even a Hand Grenade® Drinking Guide that tells you what will happen if you quaff too many of these melon-flavored time-bombs.

1. Will lift your spirits and make you happy!
2. Will give you a nice buzz.
3. Will result in complete loss of your inhibitions.
4. Will cause you to dance in the streets. Females may be prompted to “Flash” for Beads.
5. You’re On Your Own! We don’t recommend Drinking 5!

Tropical Isle sells Hand Grenade mix so that you don't have to guess what's in it. It even sells a Hand Grenade energy drink. Gotta make that paper. They're trying to capitalize on merch harder than George Lucas after the first Star Wars.

Tropical Isle's Legal Disclaimer

THE HAND GRENADE® IS NOT FOR RESALE– No business or individual other than those owned by Tropical Isle®, Inc. may sell this drink or use the name. Our product is for personal use only. Our mix is a Federally Trademarked product and is a violation of Federal Law to resell any product purchased from Tropical Isle®

Mix is intended for PRIVATE HOME USE only. No Conventions or parties where Admission is charged – No location holding a Liquor License ETC. We do not ship individual Cups, Toy Grenades etc.- only enough for amount of mix sold. Anyone using the mix for resale is violating Federal Trademark laws and is subject to Penalties.

A $250 cash reward is offered to anyone furnishing information that leads to the identification and termination of the illegal use of our federally registered trademark the Hand Grenade® or Grenade™.

Who trademarked the Painkiller?

The Painkiller is trademarked by Pussers.

The Painkiller is also an all-day, all-situation kind of cocktail. One for lunch never hurt anyone. One during dinner makes it fun. One for breakfast makes the hangover go away.

They're also a great tropical-style beach drink, as evidenced by the healthy dosage of pineapple juice (4oz), OJ and cream of coconut. And of course, 2oz of Pussers Rum.

Who trademarked the Sazerac?

The Sazerac has been trademarked by none other than the Sazerac Company. Makes sense, right?

There's an extended history of the Sazerac House being opened in the mid 1800s, followed by the invention of the cocktail, America's first, in 1900, and then following in 1919, the formation of the Sazerac Company.

The cocktail itself is not made with fridge-ready ingredients such as Orange & Pineaaple Juice like the Painkiller. It's a mix of Sazerac rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, and a sugar cube, all set in a glass that's washed with something called Herbsaint (two points for knowing what that is), and then garnished with a lemon peel. That's all according to Liquor.com.

Who trademarked the Whiskarita?

291 Colorado Whiskey trademarked the Whiskarita. The recipe is like a regular Margarita, with Lime Juice, Simple Syrup and Triple Sec, but sub the Tequila for 291 Colorado Whiskey.

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