History & Heritage
“The PKNY was born from controversy in 2011 when Pusser's Rum sued the New York tiki bar 'Painkiller' for trademark infringement. Forced to rebrand as 'PKNY,' bartenders Giuseppe Gonzalez and Richard Boccato defiantly created a superior cocktail using advanced techniques like acid-adjusted orange juice and a complex three-rum blend. The lawsuit sparked a bartender boycott and became a symbol of creative resistance against corporate overreach in the craft cocktail movement.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
0.8 oz
0.8 oz
0.8 oz
1.5 oz
1.5 oz
3 dashes
5 drops
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Fill shaker with 8-12 ounces of crushed or cracked ice
Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled and frosted
Pour entire contents of shaker (unstrained) into a large tiki mug
Top with additional crushed ice to form a dome
Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon
Glassware
Large ceramic tiki mug with crushed ice
Garnish
Grated over the top
Grated over the top
Fresh orange slice
Whole cinnamon stick
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
Use crushed ice for proper dilution and temperature
Acid-adjust orange juice by adding citric and malic acid to mimic lime juice acidity
The saline solution enhances all other flavors in the cocktail
Grate spices fresh using a microplane for maximum aroma
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the PKNY.
Extra Funky
Increases Smith & Cross for more pronounced Jamaican funk.
Changes
High Proof
Extra Hamilton 151 for more warmth and intensity.
Changes
Clarified PKNY
Uses clarified juices for a crystal-clear version.
Changes
Fat-Washed PKNY
One rum fat-washed with coconut oil for intensified coconut flavor.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Spiced Jungle Bird
A contemporary evolution of the Malaysian Jungle Bird that introduces warming spices like cinnamon, allspice, and clove, creating a complex interplay of bitter, sweet, tropical, and spiced notes perfect for both summer and cooler evenings.
Tropical Fruit Punch
A vibrant rum punch celebrating the golden age of punch with tropical fruit juices, following the classic 'one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak' formula.
Coffee Jungle Bird
A modern classic cocktail that marries the tropical, tiki-style bitterness of the original Jungle Bird with the rich, roasted complexity of coffee.