Get your summer going with this simple Jungle Bird recipe! Rum, pineapple juice, Campari, and lime juice blend together for a delicious cocktail experience.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
219
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Dark Rum
- ¾ oz Campari
- 1½ oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Pineapple slice and cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Tumbler or Old Fashioned Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Strainer
Instructions
- Prep glass: Start by icing up your tumbler glass to chill.
- Add Ingredients: In your shaker, combine ½ oz simple syrup, 1½ oz pineapple juice, ½ oz fresh lime juice, ¾ oz Campari and 1½ oz Dark Rum.
- Shake: Add ice cubes to your shaker and shake well.
- Strain: Using a strainer pour the mixture into your tumbler or Old Fashioned glass over new crushed ice.
- Garnish: Adorn with a pineapple slice and a cherry.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Dark Rum: I've swapped in white rum when I was out of dark rum. The flavor is slightly different but still delicious. For a more smoky flavor, you could use mezcal.
- Campari: If Campari's bitter note is too much for you, try Aperol. It gives a milder, sweeter profile but still offers that touch of bitterness.
- Simple Syrup: Sometimes, I make my own with raw sugar or honey, lending a richer depth to the drink.
Making a Pitcher of Jungle Bird:
- Scale: For a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. You'll need 12 oz of dark rum, 6 oz of Campari, 12 oz of pineapple juice, 4 oz of fresh lime juice, and 4 oz of simple syrup.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients and stir well.
- Serve: Pour into individual ice-filled glasses, garnish as desired, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Dark Rum Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic rum alternative or a mix of tropical fruit juices.
- Campari Substitute: Prepare a simple syrup with a dash of grapefruit juice and a hint of cranberry for the bitter profile.
- Proceed As Usual: Replace the alcoholic ingredients with these non-alcoholic alternatives and follow the original steps.
Making it Vegan:
This recipe is inherently vegan. Just verify that any pre-packaged ingredients you use, like simple syrup or fruit juices, don't contain animal-derived ingredients or additives.What is a Jungle Bird Drink?
Jungle Bird is a rum cocktail that combines the unique flavors of pineapple juice, Campari, and other key ingredients. Originating in the late 1970s at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton, its rise to fame surprised many, given its unlikely mix of sweet and bitter elements. The drink’s name directly hints at its tropical nature. While it might sound exotic, creating this cocktail doesn’t require expert bartending skills.
What is a Jungle Bird made of – The ingredients
For preparing a Jungle Bird, gather these ingredients:
- Dark Rum: The base spirit that provides depth and a rich, molasses-like flavor.
- Campari: An Italian bitter that introduces a contrasting bitterness to the drink’s sweetness.
- Pineapple Juice: Adds tropical flair and a sweet, tangy profile.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Brings a zesty brightness to balance the cocktail’s components.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the drink, enhancing and melding the flavors together.
