Cobra's Fang Cocktail Recipe

Cobra's Fang Nutrition Facts

Calories:220

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:20g

Alcohol %:30

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: August 23, 2024

History

The Cobra's Fang is a classic Tiki cocktail, first created by Don the Beachcomber, the founding father of Tiki culture, in the 1930s. This cocktail is a potent mix of rum, lime, orange, and exotic spices, and it's been a favorite among Tiki enthusiasts for decades. It's a cocktail for those who love a bit of adventure and aren't afraid of a strong, flavorful drink.

How Cobra's Fang Tastes?

The Cobra's Fang is a complex and robust cocktail. It has a strong rum base, with a sweet and sour balance from the lime and orange. The addition of exotic spices adds a unique depth and warmth, making it a truly intriguing and satisfying drink.

Interesting facts about Cobra's Fang

  • The Cobra's Fang was created by Don the Beachcomber, a legendary figure in the world of Tiki cocktails.
  • This cocktail is typically served in a Tiki mug, adding to its exotic appeal.
  • Despite its potent mix of ingredients, the Cobra's Fang is known for its balanced and complex flavor profile.

Ingredients

Dark Rum

The backbone of our serpent-themed libation, dark rum provides a rich and molasses-sweet anchor. Its depth sets the stage for the other tropical players. Too much and you might find yourself wrestling with a stronger beast; too little and the fang loses its bite. If you swap it with a lighter rum, you'll get a more mellow, less complex flavor.

Emma Rose

Lime Juice

This tart component is like the hiss of the cobra, giving the punch needed to balance the sweetness. Skip it, and your cocktail is all fang without the venom. Swap it with lemon juice and you'll have a slightly different kind of zest.

Alex Green

Orange Juice

Bringing a sunny citrus grove to the mix, orange juice adds sweetness and body. Go without, and the drink becomes less approachable, missing the roundness orange contributes. Grapefruit juice could be an alternative, adding a bitter edge to the sweetness.

Mary Mitkina

Passion Fruit Syrup

Like a treasure hidden in the jungle, passion fruit syrup gives exotic, tropical sweetness. Missing out on this syrup, you rob the cocktail of its lush essence. A simple syrup with a dash of another fruit nectar could stand in, but the unique profile of passion fruit will be missed.

Emma Rose

Falernum

A whisper of spice and a hint of almond, falernum is the exotic whisper in the dark. Forget this, and your drink might feel less entwined in mystery. If you have to, ginger syrup with a bit of almond extract could be your makeshift falernum.

Alex Green

Angostura Bitters

Adding just a dash is like the shadow of the cobra; it doesn't take much to make its presence known. This ingredient gives a herby, bitter contrast. Omitting it, you lose complexity and depth. There are other bitters, but Angostura is the classic.

Mary Mitkina

Grenadine

A dash is a drop of sweet nectar—too much can make the cocktail cloyingly sweet, too little, and you miss the hint of a rosy sunset. Pomegranate juice or a red fruit syrup could substitute but affect the sweetness and color differently.

Emma Rose

Overproof Rum

It's the fang in the Cobra's Fang! Just a dash adds potency and lights a small fire to finish the drink. Leaving this out steals the cocktail's final sizzle. High-proof bourbon as a substitute could add a fiery kick, although it will certainly twist the tale.

Alex Green

Recipe. How to make Cobra's Fang Drink

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add all the ingredients to the shaker.
  3. Shake well until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty.
  4. Strain the cocktail into a Tiki mug filled with crushed ice.
  5. Garnish with a lime wheel and a cherry.

Pro Tips

  • Use a high-quality dark rum for the best flavor.
  • Make sure to shake the cocktail well to properly mix all the ingredients.
  • Serve in a Tiki mug for the full Tiki experience.

Perfect Pairings

Food Pairings

  • Caribbean Cuisine: The tropical flavors of the Cobra's Fang, with its rum base and fruity accents, make it a perfect match for Caribbean dishes like jerk chicken, fried plantains, or seafood with spicy mango salsa.
  • Asian Fusion: Try pairing this cocktail with some Asian fusion appetizers, such as coconut shrimp, sweet and sour pork, or teriyaki skewers to complement the sweet and tangy profile of the drink.
  • Barbecue: The smokiness of grilled meats from a barbecue can be balanced by the sweet, fruity, and slightly spicy notes of the Cobra's Fang.

Drink Pairings

  • Coconut Water: A non-alcoholic pairing that refreshes the palate between sips of this flavorful cocktail.
  • Ginger Beer: For guests who prefer a non-alcoholic drink, ginger beer makes a spicy complement to the Cobra's Fang.

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What you could change in Cobra's Fang

  • If you don't have dark rum, you can use a mix of light and spiced rum.
  • If you don't have passion fruit syrup, you can use a mix of simple syrup and fresh passion fruit juice.

Explore all drinks starting with C here

And of course - twists🍹

Smoky Fang

  • Ingredients: Use a smoky dark rum or add a dash of mezcal.
  • Recipe: Follow the original recipe but use the smoky rum or mezcal in place of the standard dark rum.
  • Taste: Expect a more pronounced smoky flavor, which provides an earthy contrast to the sweet and fruity elements.
  • Description: This twist conjures up a jungle bonfire under the stars, perfect for those who appreciate a touch of smoke in their sips.

Spicy Serpent

  • Ingredients: Add a small slice of fresh jalapeño or a few dashes of hot sauce.
  • Recipe: Muddle the jalapeño or shake the hot sauce in with the other ingredients.
  • Taste: Be prepared for a bite that lives up to the Fang's name, with a heat that lingers.
  • Description: Like a cobra's warning, this twist packs a punch that's not for the faint of heart.

Fruity Viper

  • Ingredients: Include a splash of coconut cream or lychee juice.
  • Recipe: Add either coconut cream or lychee juice along with the original ingredients.
  • Taste: A sweeter, creamier or a more floral fruit forward spin on the original cocktail.
  • Description: Slither into a sweeter paradise with this twist, which softens the cocktail's bite with a blissful, creamy or floral caress.

In case you forgot basics how to make Cobra's Fang

Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.

Learn everything on how to shake

Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.

Learn everything on how to strain

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Cobra's Fang

What type of effect does the Cobra's Fang have due to its high alcohol content?

Due to its high alcohol %, the Cobra's Fang is known to be a potent drink. It is likely to have a stronger effect than less potent cocktails.

Why is it called Cobra's Fang?

The name is part of the Tiki culture, which often uses exotic and adventurous names for its cocktails. It is thought that the name implies the cocktail's potent bite.

What time of the day is it appropriate to drink the Cobra's Fang?

This cocktail can be enjoyed at any time, but it is often most enjoyed in the evening or at social events.

Can I make a Cobra's Fang without alcohol?

The recipe can be modified to exclude the alcohol for a non-alcoholic version, but note that this will significantly alter the taste as the strong rum base is a primary characteristic of the Cobra's Fang.

What is the best food pairing for the Cobra's Fang?

Consider pairing the Cobra's Fang with foods that complement its tropical flavors, such as Polynesian or Caribbean cuisine.

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