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.
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice
Garnish with pineapple wedge and leaves
Glassware
Served over crushed ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Pineapple wedge with leaves
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
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
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Jungle Bird.
Beachbum Berry Spec
Dark Jamaican rum with slightly more pineapple juice.
Changes
Smuggler's Cove
Split base of blackstrap and aged Jamaican rum.
Changes
Mezcal Jungle Bird
Swaps rum for smoky mezcal.
Changes
Gin Jungle Bird
London Dry gin creates a herbal, lighter profile.
Changes
Coffee Jungle Bird
Adds coffee liqueur for roasted depth.
Changes
Clarified Jungle Bird
Milk-washed version yielding a crystal-clear cocktail.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Gin Jungle Bird
A modern, sophisticated twist on the classic tiki-era Jungle Bird, substituting the traditional rum with the botanical complexity of gin.
Planter's Punch
Dark rum punch with citrus and spice—the Caribbean's signature party drink.
Clarified Jungle Bird
A modern classic transformation using milk washing to create crystal clarity while preserving the signature rum, Campari, and pineapple harmony.