Jungle Bird Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Bitter, spiced and unforgettable, the Jungle Bird cocktail is your ticket to a private tropical paradise.

If you could have one wish, magically granted by a random genie one day out of the blue, what would it be? And since we’re having fun here, let’s pretend that stuff like world peace and a gazillion dollars in your bank account are out of this particular genie’s reach. They haven’t been promoted yet, or are still on probation, so you only get one wish that doesn’t strain their magical abilities. Think frivolously.

I know what I would wish for. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’m always wishing that I was sitting in the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, just spending the entire day relaxing and getting lost in the happy songs of singing animatronic tropical birds. But with a cocktail. Sure, when I’m actually there, I can enjoy a classic Dole Whip or a booze-free Disneyland Mint Julep, but this is my fantasy and by gum, I want something stronger.

Tonight’s recipe is what makes me think about fanciful things like enchanted animals and tropical vibes, the Jungle Bird cocktail. A full-bodied, herbaceous and bitter tipple, this Tiki concoction has been around since the 1970s. Created at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton in Malaysia by bartender Jeffrey Ong in 1973, the Jungle Bird is comprised of dark rum, Campari, both pineapple and lime juice, and demerara simple syrup. Originally a “welcoming drink”, it was the signature cocktail of the hotel’s Aviary Bar, and has since come to be considered a modern tropical classic.

What Is The Best Rum To Use In A Jungle Bird Cocktail?

I’m of a mind that if you love the bitter joys of Campari in drinks like the Negroni and Americano, you’ll already have a bottle on hand. If not, most liquor stores sell the little airplane versions, so you can try the red liqueur out if you’ve never had it before. Rum-wise, this recipe calls for a spiced, dark spirit. Many popular brands, both cost-effective and high-end, produce what’s needed when making a Jungle Bird, so use your favorite or do a little exploring when choosing.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

I made a few Jungle Birds for myself and drank them out of my Popeye the Sailor porcelain Tiki mug, which adds an extra layer of fun to the experience. If you don’t have any Tiki receptacles handy, a rocks glass filled with ice will do just fine. Garnish the rim with a pineapple wedge and you’re golden.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE MADE WITH APEROL INSTEAD OF CAMPARI?

Yes. Aperol is a softer, less bitter and more orange flavored liqueur, and a popular substitute for Campari.

Other Tiki Drinks Worth Trying

Now that the warmer weather is beginning to come back around, it might be time to pull out all of your resort outfits and poolside ensembles, as well as having some Tiki recipes on hand. Let Twist & Toast help out with your summer parties by providing some of the most popular cocktail recipes with a special Polynesian-inspired flair. Check these out to start with, then explore the site for even more ideas.

• Saturn – A cosmic Tiki cocktail, featuring gin as the base spirit.
• Fog Cutter – Rum, gin and brandy come together in this potent potion.
• Three Dots & A Dash – A Tiki classic that literally declares “victory” in its name.
• Chi Chi – Vodka, pineapple juice and cream of coconut combine in this iconic Tiki tipple.