Jungle Bird Cocktail Recipe

Jungle Bird Nutrition Facts

Calories:215

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:20g

Alcohol:14%

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 Jungle Bird cocktail was created in 1978 at the Aviary Bar in the Kuala Lumpur Hilton. It was initially created as a welcome drink for guests and quickly gained popularity. The cocktail is known for its unique combination of flavors, making it a favorite among tiki cocktail enthusiasts.

  • The Jungle Bird is a tiki-style cocktail
  • It was created as a welcome drink for guests at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton
  • The cocktail has gained popularity among tiki cocktail enthusiasts

How Jungle Bird Tastes?

The Jungle Bird has a complex and well-balanced taste profile, featuring sweet, sour, and bitter notes. The sweetness of the pineapple juice is balanced by the tartness of the lime juice and the bitterness of the Campari. The dark rum adds depth and warmth to the drink.

Interesting facts about Jungle Bird

  • The Jungle Bird is often served in a tiki-style glass or a rocks glass
  • The cocktail has a unique combination of flavors, making it stand out among other tiki drinks
  • The Jungle Bird is sometimes garnished with a pineapple wedge or a pineapple leaf

Ingredients

Dark Rum

Rich in flavor with a hint of molasses, Dark Rum adds depth and a sweet undertone to the cocktail. If you skimp on it, you'll lose that warm complexity - and nobody wants a bird without its song! Substitute: Aged rum could be a fine swap, adding a little more oakiness to the drink.

Mary Mitkina

Campari

The legendary Campari brings the bitter to balance the sweet and pulls the tropical into a more sophisticated realm. Not enough, and it's just a sweet splash in the pond; too much, and it's like chewing on a grapefruit peel. Substitute: Aperol could waltz in for a lighter bitterness and sweeter touch.

Emma Rose

Pineapple Juice

The life of the party - Pineapple Juice! Tropical vibes? Check. Sweet, tart, and making you think of that one beach holiday? Double-check. Less juice, and you'll be left thirsty for more; too much, and it's aloha to the balanced drink we loved. Substitute: Mango nectar for a spin on the fruit front!

Alex Green

Fresh Lime Juice

What's a party without some zest? Fresh Lime Juice zips in zesty, keeps it fresh, and stops the sweetness from sticking too much. Skimp on this, and the cocktail might as well take a nap. Substitute: Lemon juice if you want to keep the citrus but change the tune!

Mary Mitkina

Simple Syrup

The peacekeeper - Simple Syrup gently holds hands with all the ingredients, smoothing any potential feuds (between bitter and sour). Forget this, and you'll have faces puckering up in all the wrong ways. Substitute: Agave syrup, for a slightly more exotic sweetness.

Emma Rose

Recipe. How to make Jungle Bird Drink

  1. Fill a shaker with ice
  2. Add the dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup
  3. Shake well until chilled
  4. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice
  5. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or a pineapple leaf

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh juices whenever possible for the best flavor.
  • Shake well to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
  • Garnish with a pineapple leaf for an authentic tiki touch.

Perfect Pairings

Appetizers

  • Spicy Grilled Shrimp: The sweetness of the pineapple juice and the bitterness of the Campari can cut through the spiciness while complementing the grilled flavors.
  • Aged Cheddar Cheese: The sharpness of aged cheddar pairs wonderfully with the complexity of the Jungle Bird, especially the dark rum's caramel notes.

Main Courses

  • Pork Satay: The umami and slightly sweet flavors of the satay work excellently with the tropical and bittersweet profile of the cocktail.
  • Jerk Chicken: The heat and spices of Jamaican Jerk seasoning marry well with the fruity and herbal notes of the Jungle Bird.

Desserts

  • Coconut Flan: This creamy dessert would be a delightful contrast to the cocktail's tartness, and the coconut flavor would stay in tune with the tropical vibe.

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What you could change in Jungle Bird

  • Dark Rum: Can be substituted with light rum for a lighter flavor.
  • Campari: Aperol can be used as a less bitter alternative.
  • Pineapple Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice can be used for a different twist.

Explore all drinks starting with J here

And of course - twists🍹

Mezcal Jungle Bird

Swap the dark rum with mezcal for a smoky allure. Keep the Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. The smoke dances with the bitter and sweet, and you've got a cocktail that's like a tropical night by the fire.

Spiced Jungle Bird

Infuse your dark rum with cinnamon and cloves before mixing your Jungle Bird. This will give your tropical drink a warming, spiced edge that's perfect for cooler evenings or when you're feeling daring enough to sail uncharted flavor waters.

Jungle Bird Royale

Add a splash of sparkling wine or champagne on top after mixing the classic recipe. The effervescence will elevate the drink and add a touch of celebratory pizzazz. Because sometimes, the bird just has to fly a little higher!

In case you forgot basics how to make Jungle Bird

The basic composition of simple syrup is relatively straightforward – a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. This mixture is heated until the sugar dissolves, resulting in a clear, sweet syrup.

Learn everything about simple syrup

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 Jungle Bird

What is the origin of the name 'Jungle Bird'?

The origin of the name 'Jungle Bird' is debatable. Some believe it was named after the tropical environment of its place of creation, Kuala Lumpur, while others suggest it's an ode to the exotic, tropical flavors within the cocktail itself.

Why is this considered a tiki-style cocktail?

Tiki cocktails are traditionally known for their complex mixtures of rum, citrus, and spice. The Jungle Bird embodies this with its blend of rum, lime, and tropical flavors, thus classifying it as a tiki cocktail.

Does the type of rum used significantly impact the taste of Jungle Bird?

Yes, the type of rum can play a notable role in the flavor of the Jungle Bird. Dark rum enhances the cocktail with a richer, fuller body and a sweet molasses note. However, the cocktail can be adapted to cater to personal taste.

Are there other possible garnishes for the Jungle Bird?

While traditionally garnished with a pineapple wedge or leaf, the Jungle Bird can also be garnished with maraschino cherry, mango slice, or a sprig of mint for a different visual appeal and slight variation in flavor.

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