Jungle Bird Cocktail: Classic Tiki Recipe from KL
The Jungle Bird is a delightful tropical cocktail that emerged in the 1970s at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton's Aviary bar. With its intriguing blend of bold flavors, it harmonizes the bitterness of Campari with the sweet tanginess of pineapple, resulting in a perfectly balanced drink that's both refreshing and complex. A nod to Tiki culture, the Jungle Bird uniquely enhances the dining experience with its vibrant and exotic profile.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Jigger (double-sided, 15 ml / 45 ml)
- Rocks glass (double old fashioned)
- Citrus Juicer
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz dark rum 45 ml, preferably Jamaican for its bold flavor
- ½ oz Campari 15 ml
- 1 ½ oz pineapple juice 45 ml, freshly squeezed if possible
- ½ oz lime juice 15 ml, freshly squeezed
- ½ oz simple syrup 15 ml, 1:1 ratio of water and sugar
- 1 piece pineapple wedge for garnish
- 1 piece cocktail cherry for garnish, such as Luxardo or Amarena
Instructions
- Combine dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice.1 1/2 oz dark rum, 1/2 oz Campari, 1 1/2 oz pineapple juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Shake vigorously until the mix is well chilled, about 10 seconds.
- Strain through a Hawthorne strainer into a rocks glass (double old-fashioned) filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cocktail cherry.1 piece pineapple wedge, 1 piece cocktail cherry
Notes
Storage: The Jungle Bird does not store well once shaken. Serve immediately for best texture and temperature.
Batch Ahead: Combine all five liquid ingredients (with approximately 20 ml extra water per serving for pre-dilution) in a sealed jar or pitcher. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Stir well and pour over fresh ice to serve.
Substitution: Swap dark rum for mezcal to add a smoky dimension, or reduce the Campari by 5 ml if you prefer a less bitter drink.
Pro Tip: Freshly squeezed or cold-pressed pineapple juice makes a noticeable difference — canned juice tends to be sweeter and flatter. Shake hard for a full 10 seconds. The brief dilution from ice melt is part of the recipe — it tempers the Campari's bitterness and integrates the flavours properly.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 661kcalCarbohydrates: 142gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 19mgPotassium: 1069mgFiber: 13gSugar: 106gVitamin A: 536IUVitamin C: 441mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 3mg
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