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Drunken Monkey Rum Cocktail Drink

Drunken Monkey Rum

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by
Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Want a new cocktail to try? This Drunken Monkey Rum recipe is just the ticket! It’s a delicious concoction of ingredients that’s a breeze to create.

Drunken Monkey Rum Recipe

Beat the winter chill with our Drunken Monkey Rum recipe! A blend of dark rum, banana liqueur, and pineapple juice makes this cocktail the ultimate drink for icy nights.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

195 kl

Ingredients

  • 1½ oz Dark Rum
  • ½ oz banana Liqueur
  • 3 oz pineapple juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Pineapple slice or cherry, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Cocktail Shaker

Instructions

  • Make sure to chill a highball glass.
  • Add 3 oz pineapple juice to the shaker.
  • Measure and pour ½ oz banana Liqueur into the shaker.
  • Pour 1½ oz Dark Rum into the shaker.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Give the ingredients a good shake until well-mixed.
  • Strain the mixture into your highball glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Place a pineapple slice or cherry on top for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Dark Rum: You can use light or spiced rum if you don't have dark rum. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.
  • Banana Liqueur: If you can't find banana liqueur, you can make a simple syrup with mashed bananas and sugar. It won't be as strong, but it will give you that banana flavor.
  • Pineapple Juice: If you're out of pineapple juice, orange or apple juice can work in a pinch.

Making a Pitcher of Drunken Monkey Rum:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of dark rum, 4 oz of banana liqueur, and 8 oz of pineapple juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the rum, banana liqueur, and pineapple juice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a pineapple slice or cherry, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Dark Rum Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic dark rum substitute available in most supermarkets.
  • Banana Liqueur Substitute: Make a simple syrup with mashed bananas and sugar. It won't be as strong, but it will give you that banana flavor.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Just check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they're vegan.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
195
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
2
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
17
g
6
%
Fiber
 
0.2
g
1
%
Sugar
 
14
g
16
%
Potassium
 
111
mg
3
%
Protein
 
0.3
g
1
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.04
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.01
g
Vitamin A
 
4
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
9
mg
11
%
Calcium
 
11
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.3
mg
2
%

 

Drunken Monkey Rum Cocktail Drink

Drunken Monkey Rum Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Beat the winter chill with our Drunken Monkey Rum recipe! A blend of dark rum, banana liqueur, and pineapple juice makes this cocktail the ultimate drink for icy nights.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 195

Ingredients
 

  • 1½ oz Dark Rum
  • ½ oz banana Liqueur
  • 3 oz pineapple juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Pineapple slice or cherry - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Cocktail Shaker

Instructions

  • Make sure to chill a highball glass.
  • Add 3 oz pineapple juice to the shaker.
  • Measure and pour ½ oz banana Liqueur into the shaker.
  • Pour 1½ oz Dark Rum into the shaker.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Give the ingredients a good shake until well-mixed.
  • Strain the mixture into your highball glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Place a pineapple slice or cherry on top for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Dark Rum: You can use light or spiced rum if you don't have dark rum. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.
  • Banana Liqueur: If you can't find banana liqueur, you can make a simple syrup with mashed bananas and sugar. It won't be as strong, but it will give you that banana flavor.
  • Pineapple Juice: If you're out of pineapple juice, orange or apple juice can work in a pinch.

Making a Pitcher of Drunken Monkey Rum:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of dark rum, 4 oz of banana liqueur, and 8 oz of pineapple juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the rum, banana liqueur, and pineapple juice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a pineapple slice or cherry, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Dark Rum Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic dark rum substitute available in most supermarkets.
  • Banana Liqueur Substitute: Make a simple syrup with mashed bananas and sugar. It won't be as strong, but it will give you that banana flavor.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Just check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they're vegan.

What is a Drunken Monkey Rum?

A Drunken Monkey Rum is a spirit-based cocktail made of rum, banana liqueur, and pineapple juice. This tropical drink is easy to make as it only requires shaking these three ingredients.  The Drunken Monkey Rum stands out due to its unique blend of flavors that transport you to a beach vacation with every sip. Its distinctiveness lies in banana liqueur, which gives an exotic twist and makes it an exciting choice for those looking for something exotic and refreshing.

A side shot of a Drunken Monkey Rum cocktail in a highball glass on a wooden coaster surrounded by pineapple wedges

What is a Drunken Monkey Rum made of – The ingredients

For the creation of a Drunken Monkey Rum, these ingredients are essential:

  • Dark Rum: This forms the base of Drunken Monkey Rum. It adds a rich, deep flavor and is responsible for the alcoholic content.
  • Banana Liqueur: This gives the rum its distinctive banana flavor. It also adds sweetness to balance the strong taste of the dark rum.
  • Pineapple Juice: This juice contributes to the tropical theme of the drink, adding a tangy sweetness that complements the other ingredients.
  • Ice:  Ice is used to chill the drink and dilute it slightly, making it more palatable and refreshing.

Dark Rum, banana Liqueur, pineapple juice and pineapple laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Drunken Monkey Rum?

Discover the process of making a Drunken Monkey Rum with our detailed guide:

1
<p>Strat by chilling your highball glass, to do so stir some ice cubes in it and set aside.</p>

Strat by chilling your highball glass, to do so stir some ice cubes in it and set aside.

2
<p>Measure and pour 3 ounces of pineapple juice in a shaker.</p>

Measure and pour 3 ounces of pineapple juice in a shaker.

3
<p>Follow with ½ ounce of banana liqueur.</p>

Follow with ½ ounce of banana liqueur.

4
<p>Finish by adding 1 ½ ounces of dark rum.</p>

Finish by adding 1 ½ ounces of dark rum.

5
<p>Fill your shaker with ice cubes.</p>

Fill your shaker with ice cubes.

6
<p>Shake vigorously until the shaker gets frosty.</p>

Shake vigorously until the shaker gets frosty.

7
<p>Replace the ice into your highball glass with fresh ice.</p>

Replace the ice into your highball glass with fresh ice.

8
<p>Strain your drink into the highball glass.</p>

Strain your drink into the highball glass.

9
<p>Add a pineapple slice or a cherry for garnish.</p>

Add a pineapple slice or a cherry for garnish.

History and Origin

The Drunken Monkey Rum cocktail, a tasty mix of tropical flavors and rum, has a colorful history. People believe it first appeared in the Caribbean islands, where rum is ordinary.

Rum, the main ingredient in the Drunken Monkey, started its journey in the 17th century. Workers on sugarcane farms in the Caribbean first made it. They found out that they could turn molasses, left over from making sugar, into alcohol. Later, they learned how to make this alcohol stronger and cleaner by distilling it. This process gave birth to the first authentic rums.

In the middle of the 20th century, tiki culture became popular in America. Tiki bars serving exotic cocktails with rum popped up all over the country. These bars tried to bring the charm of the South Pacific islands to America.

During this time, people likely created the Drunken Monkey Rum cocktail. No specific bartender or bar says they made it first, but it fits right into the tiki tradition with its mix of rum and tropical fruit juices.

The name “Drunken Monkey” adds fun and mystery to this drink. Some people think it refers to monkeys’ playful and unpredictable behavior, just like the effects of this strong cocktail. Others believe it comes from stories about monkeys stealing fermented fruits and getting drunk.

A Drunken Monkey Rum cocktail, shot from above, in a highball glass on a beige surface surrounded by Dark Rum, banana Liqueur, pineapple juice and pineapple

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FAQ

How many calories are in a Drunken Monkey Rum?
A standard serving contains approximately 200-250 calories. However, this can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and their quantities.
How strong is the Drunken Monkey Rum?
The strength of the Drunken Monkey Rum can vary based on the type and amount of rum used. Typically, it has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of around 15%, translating to 30 proof.
What type of alcohol is used in a Drunken Monkey Rum?
The primary alcohol used is rum. The choice of rum can significantly influence the flavor profile of the drink.
In what kind of glass is a Drunken Monkey Rum served?
Traditionally, it's served in a highball glass, allowing plenty of room for ice and mixers.
What does a Drunken Monkey Rum taste like?
The cocktail offers a delightful blend of sweet and funky flavors. The taste can be described as refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a Drunken Monkey Rum?
The typical ratio is 1 part banana liqueur to 3 parts rum and 6 parts pineapple juice. This ratio ensures the drink isn't too strong or weak but just right.
How is a Drunken Monkey Rum served with ice?
It's typically served over ice or "on the rocks." This helps to keep the drink chilled while slightly diluting it for a smoother drinking experience.
Is the Drunken Monkey Rum suitable for vegans?
Most versions of the drink are vegan-friendly as they do not contain any animal products. However, it's always best to check the specific brand of ingredients used.
Can I prepare a Drunken Monkey Rum in advance for a party?
Absolutely! You can mix up a large batch in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just remember to stir it before serving to ensure all the flavors are well combined.

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