The party never ends with this funky monkey, the Brass Monkey.
“Brass Monkey, that funky monkey.”
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, you’ve heard of the Beastie Boys. Even if you didn’t have any of the popular hip-hop group’s albums, which most of us did, you were more than likely familiar with their irreverent and memorable music videos. I’m also pretty sure you’ve seen a few movie trailers recently, like for the MCU’s The Marvels, that feature the group’s classic songs. From legendary tracks like “Fight for Your Right” and “No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn”, the Beastie Boys members Ad-Rock, MCA and Mike D kept many a high school and college party going all night, for decades.
One of their most enduring hits, and a staple of rowdy house parties the world over, is “Brass Monkey”. Featuring lyrics about an alcoholic beverage, this earworm gets every crowd going. Once that wild saxophone riff kicks in and the bass begins to thump, everyone in the room is chanting “that funky monkey” at the top of their lungs while drunkenly bouncing around. Sometimes you had said beverage in your hand, other times you were holding a red Solo cup filled with everclear made in a bathtub. Looking back on those moments now, one might say “eww”. But at the time it was like being in a speakeasy, imbibing with your friends and hoping you didn’t end the night alone watching cartoons.
Did an actual drink inspire the song? Yes! While the exact origins of the cocktail are lost to the drunken haze of time, we do know that it came onto the scene sometime in the 1970s. A tropical-tinged concoction made up of dark rum, vodka and orange juice, the Brass Monkey was commercially produced as a premade and mixed cocktail by the Heublein Company. It remained relevant through the 80s and beyond because of the quirky Beastie Boys track.
In the computer game Escape from Monkey Island, the character of Guybrush Threepwood runs across a brass monkey statue and name-checks it. A bodyless chorus sings back, “that funky monkey” in response. In my opinion, that’s just as good as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use in a Brass Monkey Drink?
When choosing your spirits for this drink, getting the best is subjective. Most people have their favorite dark rum and vodka, but if you’re unsure or just looking for suggestions, I can help if you like. While it’s true that the more money you spend the better the quality of the liquor will be, the good news is that there’s a good amount of great dark rums, like Kraken for example, that are of high quality and cost-effective. The same goes for vodka, be it rye, potato or corn distilled.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 8 ounces orange juice
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice cubes to chill.
- Pour the vodka and dark rum over the ice.
- Add the orange juice to the glass.
- Stir the mixture gently to combine the ingredients well.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Brass Monkey Drink.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Pour your Brass Monkey into a chilled rocks glass over ice, and garnish with an orange slice. Pop a little cocktail umbrella in there too for some extra pizzazz.
Yes, you can premix this drink and store it in your fridge in a sealed container until you’re ready to serve.
This funky Monkey is a robust 233 calories. Too many will go to your head and your belly.
There’s a few possible places the name came from. In Macau, a popular post-WW II bar was named the Brass Monkey. There’s also been a fairly cheeky expression that has made the rounds since the 19th century, specifically referring to something or somewhere that’s “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.”
Similar Drinks to the Brass Monkey
There’s some fun and famous drinks out there that waltz through our popular culture like celebrities. They’re featured in books, movies and songs. We might even only know about certain mixtures because we first heard about them in whatever we were reading, watching or listening to. Twist & Toast has the recipes and stories to go along with many of these notable cocktails. Check these out and try a few this week.
- Cosmopolitan – Sex and the City fans know all about this trendy beverage.
- Vesper Martini – James Bond enthusiasts will be well acquainted with this cocktail.
- French 75 – The next time you watch Casablanca, pour yourself a few of these.
- White Russian – Do you have a rug that really ties the room together, like in The Big Lebowski? This drink will help you celebrate.
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