Jungle Bird

Jungle Bird

Malaysia's 1970s tiki gift: blackstrap rum, Campari, pineapple and lime shaken into a bittersweet tropical sipper.

15%

ABV

easy

Difficulty

rocks

Glass

Flavor Profile

History & Heritage

Jeffrey Ong See Teik mixed the first Jungle Bird in 1973 at the Aviary Bar of the Kuala Lumpur Hilton, serving it as a welcome drink in a bird-shaped vessel. Jeff “Beachbum” Berry unearthed the recipe in 2002 and Giuseppe González later rebalanced it with blackstrap rum and less pineapple, transforming the once-obscure Malaysian cooler into a global modern classic that bridges tiki sweetness with Italian bitters.

Ingredients

Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.

Method

Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.

1

Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice

2

Shake vigorously for 15 seconds

3

Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice

4

Garnish with pineapple wedge and leaves

Glassware

rocks

Served over crushed ice in a rocks glass

Garnish

Pineapple wedge

Pineapple wedge with leaves

Master's Tips

Professional insights to elevate your craft

Fresh pineapple juice provides essential froth and brightness

A hard shake creates the signature foam

Large rock or crushed ice keeps dilution in check

Flavor Journey

Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.

6

Sweet

out of 10

5

Sour

out of 10

5

Bitter

out of 10

6

Strong

out of 10

Variations & Riffs

Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Jungle Bird.

Beachbum Berry Spec

Minor Tweak

Dark Jamaican rum with slightly more pineapple juice.

Changes
Pineapple Juice:1.5 oz2 oz

Smuggler's Cove

Minor Tweak

Split base of blackstrap and aged Jamaican rum.

Changes
Dark RumBlackstrap Rum(0.8 oz)
Dark Rum:1.5 oz0.8 oz

Mezcal Jungle Bird

Major Variation

Swaps rum for smoky mezcal.

Changes

Gin Jungle Bird

Major Variation

London Dry gin creates a herbal, lighter profile.

Changes

Coffee Jungle Bird

Major Variation

Adds coffee liqueur for roasted depth.

Changes

Clarified Jungle Bird

Major Variation

Milk-washed version yielding a crystal-clear cocktail.

Changes

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Jungle Bird Cocktail Recipe - easy 15% ABV | Garnish