Jungle Bird
Average
Fruity & Sweet & Bitter
5 Minutes
Highball Glass
Ingredients
The Jungle Bird is a classic tiki drink that’s hard to beat when it comes to great rum drinks.
With its distinctive blend of tropical flavors and striking presentation, the Jungle Bird really is the king of the tiki jungle. It’s also a favorite among home bartenders.
How To Make a Jungle Bird Cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Knife
Jigger
Blender
Boston Shaker
Citrus Press
How to Mix
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Use a Paring Knife to cut one Lime in half.
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Use a Citrus Press to juice one Lime half directly into your Jigger before pouring the correct measurement into the smaller tin of your Boston Shaker.
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Use a Paring Knife to cut a Pineapple into small chunks, removing the rind and core. Save a Pineapple Wedge for garnishing.
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Put the Pineapple Chunks into a Blender and blend until liquified and smooth.
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Strain the Pineapple Juice through a Sieve into a Medium-Sized Glass Bowl or Container.
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Measure and pour the Pineapple Juice into your Shaker, followed by Demerara Syrup.
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Measure and pour Italian Aperitivo Liqueur into the Shaker, followed by Blackstrap Rum.
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Fill the Shaker with Ice Cubes and shake vigorously.
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Fill a Rocks Glass halfway with Crushed Ice.
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Open your Shaker, place a Hawthorne Strainer over the larger tin, and pour the cocktail into the Rocks Glass.
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Top up your Glass with Crushed Ice.
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Place a Maraschino Cherry and a Pineapple Wedge on a Cocktail Pick and place it on the side of your Glass to garnish.
Rico shows how to make a Jungle Bird cocktail
What is a Jungle Bird Cocktail?
The Jungle Bird is a classic tiki drink that tastes every bit as good as it looks. It’s made with Blackstrap rum, Italian red bitter liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simply syrup, garnished with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.
What Does a Jungle Bird Cocktail Taste Like?
“Fruity, bitter, and tiki. It’s everything you could want in a drink,” says Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.
However, unlike many other tiki drinks, such as the Mai Tai or the Zombie, the Jungle Bird isn’t overly sweet. “It’s delectable – perfectly balanced and a great sipper,” adds Rico.
The History of the Jungle Bird
The Jungle Bird cocktail was created in 1973 as a welcome drink at a 5-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
During the 1970s, when tiki culture and tropical-themed cocktails were regaining popularity, the beverage manager at the hotel’s bar crafted this drink.
Inspired by the exotic ambiance, lush surroundings, and colorful birds visible from the bar window, he aimed to evoke the spirit of the jungle while delighting guests.
Tips for Making the Perfect Jungle Bird
- Make your own Demerara Syrup
Demerara Syrup is also known as Brown Sugar Syrup. To make this syrup, follow the instructions on how to make simple syrup, but use Brown Sugar instead of Superfine Sugar and change the ratio from 1:1 to 2:1. - Make your own Pineapple Juice
Store-bought Pineapple Juice is often made from concentrate and may contain potato starch and preservatives. By using a real Pineapple, you get pure fruit juice.Simply grab a fresh Pineapple and cut it into small chunks and blend them in a Household Blender to make your own Pineapple Juice.Note that the sweetness of the Pineapple will vary depending on the season and region, so adjust the sweetness of your drink accordingly.
Variations of a Jungle Bird Cocktail
The Absolut Bird
Wait, what? A Tiki drink with Vodka? Seemingly impossible…but it’s true! Follow the recipe above but substitute Rum for Vodka and leave out the Maraschino Cherry. The result?
«You do lose some richness without the Blackstrap Rum’s caramel and thickness, but this is a whole new drink,” admits Rico. “The Italian Aperitivo Liqueur, fresh Pineapple Juice, and Lime Juice really come through. It’s pretty banging.» Check out the recipe for the Absolut Bird.
Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Jungle Bird
Serve the Jungle Bird in a Rocks Glass filled with Crushed Ice, garnished with a Pineapple Wedge and Maraschino Cherry on a single cocktail pick, Tiki style!
Use the Italian Aperitivo Liqueur that’s commonly used in Spritzers, not a Negroni.
Blackstrap Rum is also known as Black Rum. It’s known for its rich flavor and full-bodied mouthfeel.
Blackstrap Rums are typically Lighter Rums with minimal aging, often around two years. Producers add Caramel coloring to give these Rums the appearance of greater age. Flavoring or sweetener is added to suggest the flavor of molasses.
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