Lapu Lapu Cocktail Recipe

The Lapu Lapu cocktail is named after the Filipino tribal chief who led the first resistance against Spanish colonization. It's a tropical cocktail that's perfect for those who love fruity and refreshing drinks. It's often served in a hollowed-out pineapple, adding to its tropical appeal. This cocktail is popular in tiki bars and is a favorite among those who enjoy rum-based cocktails.

The Lapu Lapu is a sweet and tangy cocktail with a strong citrus flavor. The rum adds a warm, rich undertone that balances the sweetness of the fruit juices. It's a refreshing and tropical cocktail that's perfect for a hot summer day.

• The Lapu Lapu cocktail is named after a Filipino tribal chief.
• It's a tropical cocktail that's often served in a hollowed-out pineapple.
• This cocktail is a favorite among those who enjoy rum-based cocktails.

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add the light rum, dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain into a hollowed-out pineapple or large glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a pineapple slice and cherry.

• For a more tropical flavor, try using fresh pineapple juice.
• If you're serving this in a pineapple, make sure to scoop out the inside carefully to avoid puncturing the skin.

Food Pairings

• Grilled Seafood: The citrus notes of the Lapu Lapu cocktail complement the smoky and briny flavors of grilled shrimp or fish.
• Asian Cuisine: Spicy Thai or Filipino dishes can be balanced with the sweet and sour elements of the drink.
• BBQ: The sweet and tangy notes can counteract the smokiness of barbecued meats.
• Salads: A tropical fruit salad or a citrus-dressed mixed greens salad would echo the cocktail’s fruity undertones.

Drink Pairings

• Chilled Water: To cleanse the palate between sips of the sweet cocktail.
• Sparkling Water: For a refreshing non-alcoholic option that complements the cocktail's effervescence.
• Iced Tea: A non-alcoholic and less sweet beverage option to balance the Lapu Lapu's sweetness.

• You can substitute the light rum with white rum.
• If you don't have simple syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water.

Smoky Lapu Lapu

Replace the dark rum with a smoky mezcal. The smokiness will add a mysterious depth to the cocktail.

Ingredients: 2 oz Light Rum, 1 oz Mezcal, 3 oz Orange Juice, 3 oz Pineapple Juice, 1 oz Lemon Juice, 1 oz Simple Syrup, Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Recipe: Follow the original recipe, substituting dark rum with mezcal. This twist brings a smoky intrigue, perfect for those who enjoy a cocktail that tells a tale by the fire pit.

Spicy Lapu Lapu

Add a small slice of jalapeño to the shaker before mixing. The spicy kick will contrast the sweetness of the drink.

Ingredients: 2 oz Light Rum, 1 oz Dark Rum, 3 oz Orange Juice, 3 oz Pineapple Juice, 1 oz Lemon Juice, 1 oz Simple Syrup, 1 small slice of Jalapeño, Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Recipe: Muddle the jalapeño slice in the shaker, then add the other ingredients and mix well. This fiery alteration is for those who like to walk on the hot sand and dance with danger.

Herbal Lapu Lapu

Infuse the simple syrup with herbs like basil or mint for an aromatic twist.

Ingredients: 2 oz Light Rum, 1 oz Dark Rum, 3 oz Orange Juice, 3 oz Pineapple Juice, 1 oz Lemon Juice, 1 oz Herbal Simple Syrup, Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Recipe: Make the herbal simple syrup by simmering regular simple syrup with a handful of basil or mint leaves. Strain and cool. Mix as you would the original recipe. This version is as refreshing as finding shade under a palm tree on a sunny beach day.