Your next party will be a wild one after the Jungle Juice comes out to play.
My college experience wasn’t exactly a “cinematic” one. Growing up, I assumed my days of higher learning would be filled with Animal House-style antics, like cracking wise at the ROTC, throwing toga parties on the weekends and partaking in food fights at the campus cafeteria. All the while my wild and crazy friends and I would be taking the air out of the tires of our stuck-up and super-mean dean. Well, when I finally did head off to college, it ended up being an art school that had no frats, a cool dean and a general low-key vibe. You could even say the atmosphere was relaxed.
That doesn’t mean that we didn’t cut loose every once in a while. Parties were thrown, shenanigans were had and many a stiff drink was imbibed, all without any of us getting into too much trouble with campus police. One evening, my friends and I found ourselves in a random apartment on the school grounds. Fog machines were out in force along with The Chemical Brothers being blasted through a gigantic PA system. I can still feel the bass thumping in my lower intestine. Upstairs we were offered a purple-looking drink that was served out of a bathtub. I don’t remember much after that.
Tonight’s cocktail is a popular concoction that has been traditionally served at similar soirées. Going by the intriguing name Jungle Juice, the recipe we’re making is presented in a slightly more sophisticated fashion when compared to what my friends and I encountered from a random, possibly dirty bathtub. Instead of a giant porcelain receptacle, maybe grab a nice punchbowl set from a homegoods store, or ask your mom about borrowing hers. I’m not kidding. I needed one once, randomly asked my mother and she produced two of them. Why did she have them? Because you never know.
So when you start planning on whipping up a large batch of Jungle Juice for your next party, make sure you’ve got a nice punchbowl set. A big bowl to mix your mixture in, a ladle to dole it out and plenty of cups to go around. No bathtub required.
Why Is This Recipe Called Jungle Juice?
There are at least two potential origins to the name, both regarding this drink being an “illicit” one. In the 1900s, Fort Collins, Colorado was a “dry town”, meaning no booze was sold or drunk. So bootleggers would make their own and began referring to where they did so as “The Jungle”. A more literal root for the recipe’s name came from soldiers who were serving in the South Pacific during World War II. Since the servicemen were prohibited from getting any liquor imported, they resorted to more inventive ways of having a tipple or two, by fermenting anything they could in whatever they could find. Coconuts, gasoline drums… almost sounds like an episode of M*A*S*H. These drinks varied in potency and palatable flavors, but mostly knocked those soldiers out of their boots. Which was probably the goal, anyway.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In Jungle Juice?
When it comes to Jungle Juice, we’re not going for subtle notes of anything. The endgame is getting all of our guests nice and fluffy without much effort. The juice and soda provide the flavor, while a bottle of white rum, like Bacardi Silver, and some Stoli unflavored vodka bring the bite. It’s not the most refined of potions, but it doesn’t have to be. After a cup or two, all you’ll be hearing is your friends having a great time.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle vodka 750 ml
- 1 bottle white rum 750 ml
- 64 ounces fruit punch
- 32 ounces orange juice
- 32 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 oranges sliced
- 2 lemons sliced
- 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced
- 2 liters lemon-lime soda
Instructions
- In a large container or punch bowl, pour in the vodka, white rum, fruit punch, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Stir well to combine.
- Add the sliced oranges, lemons, and strawberries to the mixture and store in the fridge.
- Just before serving, gently stir in the lemon-lime soda. You can also add ice if desired.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?
You’ll want to invest in a punchbowl/glassware set if you plan on making and serving this libation anytime soon. There are different styles available and price points that will match your budget, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money. And you can stop asking your mom to borrow hers. For garnish, slice up and add a generous amount of lemons, oranges and strawberries to your Jungle Juice.
WHAT OTHER ALCOHOL CAN BE USED TO MAKE JUNGLE JUICE?
You can use blanco tequila instead of the rum or vodka. You can also keep the other spirits and add more to it. Gin could also work, which will add more floral and complex notes to the spikiness of the alcohol.
Other Big Batch Cocktails Worth Trying
Need more recipes that’ll quench the thirst of a large, demanding crowd? Need one for the holidays? Or any given special occasion? Look no further than right here at Twist & Toast. Check out these big bowls of boozy beverages that are also full of flavor. And if you’re looking for something that is just for you, you can explore the site for all kinds of cocktails.
- Party Punch – This alcohol-free mixture is family-friendly and delicious. And once the kids go to bed, you can spike the punch with your favorite spirit.
- Spiced Apple Cider – The perfect drink for when the leaves start falling and the weather gets cool.
- Christmas Punch – A giant bowl of holiday cheer, this recipe is both festive and strong.
- Jingle Juice Holiday Punch – Here’s another Christmas libation that’ll keep your festivities joyful.
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