February 2024 – Jungle Bird

When you’re in the mood for a tropical drink that is a bit unique the cocktail that best fits that description is the Jungle Bird.  This drink was created in the 1970’s at a Hilton hotel in Kuala Lumpur.  It is said the name came from the hotel having a display of tropical birds which inspired the bartender to name the drink the Jungle Bird.  This drink is unique since it uses Campari (a bitter aperitif) which you would not expect in a tropical tiki drink.  The Jungle Bird normally uses dark rum (blackstrap rum), pineapple juice, Campari, lime juice and simple syrup and is amazingly balanced.  It’s not too sweet nor bitter and it’s amazing the final flavor once the ingredients are combined.  As you will see in the video, I also like to use my favorite Gold rum along with a dark sugar simple syrup.  Bottom line, either utilizing the dark or gold rum, it is a great tropical tiki drink that will shock you how wonderful it is.

Ingredients:

• Blackstrap/Dark Rum (e.g., Goslings) or your favorite Gold Rum (e.g., Appleton, Rhum J.M)
• Campari
• Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice (strained)
• Pineapple Juice
• Homemade Simple Syrup made with Turbinado Sugar (e.g., Sugar in the Raw)
• Pineapple
• Luxardo or Copper and Kings Cherries

Tools:

• Oxo two-sided shot glass/jigger
• Cocktail Shaker
• Double Rocks Glass or Tiki Glass
• Ice Cube Form (round preferred)
• Stainless steel cocktail picks

Directions:

Simple Syrup

1. Depending on how much you need you just combine equal parts sugar (Turbinado) and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring then let cool.  For example, for small dinner parties I usually mix 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar and in a small saucepan bring it to a boil while stirring. 
2. I then remove from heat to cool.
3. Once cool use a funnel to transfer the simple syrup to a squeeze bottle and place in fridge until its needed.

Jungle Bird

1. First make sure the night before you make large round ice cubes for the drink or have regular ice if using a tiki glass.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add the following:
   • 2 oz Blackstrap/Dark rum (or aged gold rum)
   • 2 oz Pineapple Juice
   • ¾ oz Campari
   • ½ oz lime juice (fresh squeezed and strained)
   • ½ oz Homemade Simple Syrup made with Turbinado Sugar (e.g., Sugar in the Raw)
3. Strain drink into double rocks glass with single ice cube or Tiki glass filled with crushed ice.
4. Garnish with pineapple wedge, cherry and/or pineapple fronds (wash thoroughly) and enjoy!!!  See picture or video.

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The items shown above are just suggestions/examples and each consumer should do their own research and choose the proper product that suits their needs the best.