Jungle Bird

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

2. Add the dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.

3. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.

4. Fill a lowball glass (or rocks glass) with fresh ice cubes.

5. Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.

6. Garnish extravagantly with a pineapple wedge (and perhaps some pineapple leaves) and a maraschino cherry.

7. Serve immediately and enjoy your tropical escape.

Trivia

• What is a Jungle Bird cocktail?

  The Jungle Bird is a tropical tiki cocktail renowned for its unique inclusion of Campari, an Italian bitter liqueur. Originating in the 1970s at the Aviary Bar of the Kuala Lumpur Hilton, it blends dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup, creating a complex flavour profile that is simultaneously bitter, sweet, sour, and fruity.

• What does a Jungle Bird taste like?

  A Jungle Bird offers a complex and layered taste experience. You'll first notice the tropical sweetness from the pineapple juice and dark rum, followed by a refreshing tartness from the lime juice. The defining characteristic is the underlying bitterness from the Campari, which balances the sweetness and adds depth, resulting in a surprisingly sophisticated and refreshing tiki drink.

• What kind of rum is best for a Jungle Bird?

  Traditionally, a dark, rich rum is used in a Jungle Bird to provide a robust backbone against the other strong flavours. Blackstrap rum was reputedly used in the original, but a good quality dark Jamaican rum or a blended dark rum works exceptionally well, contributing molasses and funky notes that complement the tropical fruit and bitter Campari.

• Where did the Jungle Bird cocktail originate?

  The Jungle Bird cocktail was created in the early 1970s, specifically around 1973, at the Aviary Bar located in the Kuala Lumpur Hilton hotel in Malaysia. It was served as a welcome drink to guests, often presented in a bird-shaped ceramic vessel, hence the name.

• Can I make a Jungle Bird without Campari?

  While Campari is the signature ingredient that gives the Jungle Bird its characteristic bitter edge, you could substitute it if necessary, though it will significantly alter the drink's profile. Other Italian red bitters like Aperol (sweeter, less bitter) or a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif could be tried, but the result wouldn't be a classic Jungle Bird. The bitterness is key to its unique identity.

• How do you garnish a Jungle Bird?

  A Jungle Bird is typically garnished with tropical flair. A common and fitting garnish is a wedge of fresh pineapple, often accompanied by a few pineapple leaves (fronds) inserted into the drink for visual height and aroma. A bright red maraschino cherry is also frequently added for colour contrast, completing the vibrant, exotic presentation.