Aft Deck Society: The Art of the Docktail
The Real Magic of a Well-Planned Docktail Hour
Long before I ever mixed my first margarita on my boat, I was behind the bar at a restaurant in Victoria called Rattenbury’s. It was one of my favourite university jobs, not because of the tips (though those didn’t hurt) but because bartending taught me how much joy a well-made drink can bring. I learned the sound of a shaker when the ice hits just right. I learned that people will tell you their whole life story if you hand them a coupe glass with confidence. And I learned that cocktails are never just about cocktails; they’re about connection.
Decades later, I’m still behind a bar, only now the bar is floating. And instead of Rattenbury’s regulars, my guests are boaters drifting in for docktails, friends arriving by dinghy, and new acquaintances who always seem to appear the moment I slice a lemon. The “art of the cocktail” became the “art of the docktail.” After 30 years of cruising, experimenting, watching, shaking, tasting, and (let’s be honest) cleaning up the odd spill, I finally decided to put it all together in one place.
That’s how Aft Deck Society was born.
Why Boaters Need a Docktail Playbook
Here’s the truth most new cruisers discover around hour three of their first anchorage:
Cocktail hour at sea is not the same as cocktail hour on land.
Small spaces. Limited tools. Forgotten ice. Uneven surfaces. Random waves. There is a learning curve.
Aft Deck Society is my answer to that curve. It’s the guide I wish I had when we first started cruising, the tricks, tips, gear, recipes, and rituals that seasoned boaters shared with me over three decades. Some of the best things I know came from watching other boaters in action: the genius ice block hack, the multipurpose champagne bucket, and the brilliant way my friend used a Nalgene bottle as an impromptu cocktail shaker.
This book is a love letter to that knowledge, elegant, organized, and intentional.
What’s Inside the Book
Aft Deck Society isn’t just a cocktail book. It’s a philosophy, a stylish, thoughtful approach to entertaining on the water.
Inside you’ll find:
• Docktail recipes for every style of cruiser
Bright spritzes, sophisticated classics, warm cozies, refreshing sippers, and a fully developed mocktail section that never feels like a compromise.
• Tools that actually fit on a boat
No oversized, land-based nonsense. Just smart, compact gear that won’t roll, rattle, break, or require a degree in mixology to operate.
• Tips from decades of real boaters
Everything from the best reusable ice trick to how to pack a bar cart when the bar cart is also the galley counter.
• Space-saving systems
Where the wine glasses go. Where the citrus lives. How to keep your bitters from mutinying in rough seas.
• Dock party etiquette
What to bring, what not to bring, and how to keep the space thoughtful.
• Zero waste, ocean-friendly practices
Because good cocktails taste better when we protect the waters we cruise. It is our responsibility.
Who This Book Is For
Aft Deck Society is for anyone who’s ever:
- arrived at an anchorage and wished they had thought of packing “that” before they left
- tried to squeeze an overambitious cocktail menu into a six-square-foot galley
- wanted to host friends without chaos
- wanted to keep things classy, even in board shorts
- sworn at melting ice
- wondered how on earth other boaters make it look so effortless
It’s for beginners, seasoned cruisers, gin lovers, wine sippers, zero-proof devotees, and the “I just want something refreshing in a cold glass” crowd.
It’s for every boater who believes the best evenings start with good company, good conversation, and a little ceremony at sunset.
The Philosophy: The Art of the Docktail
At the heart of the Aft Deck Society is a simple truth:
Good docktails. Good company. Good stewardship.
That’s the recipe.
This book leans into:
- less waste
- smarter planning
- simpler tools
- reusable gear
- intentional provisioning
- mindful mixing
Cocktail hour doesn’t need to be complicated to feel elevated. And it doesn’t need to be boozy to feel celebratory; some of the best drinks I make are alcohol-free, and they still sparkle in the glass.
Because at sea, elegance isn’t about extravagance.
It’s about presence.
The quiet moment when the anchor sets.
The sound of ice settling into a glass.
The glow of evening light on polished teak.
The shared ritual that says, “We made it here. Together.”
Why You Should Buy the Book
Aft Deck Society solves real boater problems:
- running out of ingredients
- cluttered galley drawers
- drinks that fall flat
- gear that doesn’t work onboard
- no idea where to start
- too many bottles, not enough space
- guests showing up and the bar feeling chaotic
- wanting something special without the fuss
You’ll learn what to stock, what to skip, what to shake, what to stir, and how to make it all look effortless, even in a rolling anchorage.
Easy to Download. Instantly Useful. Always Onboard.
The book is a simple, elegant PDF, easy to download, easy to save, easy to use on your phone, tablet, or printed and tucked into your bar drawer. No bulk. No weight. No complicated formats. Just instant inspiration.
As we say, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!”
