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If you love tropical cocktails with a twist, the Jungle Bird Cocktail is a must! It’s made with dark rum, pineapple juice, lime, and a splash of Campari for just the right balance of sweet, tart, and bitter. It’s vibrant, bold, and totally sippable—perfect for summer parties or a night in with your favorite glass.
Craving more Campari? Try my Classic Negroni, Italian Paloma, and Negroni popsicles!
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Pin ItThe first time I had a Jungle Bird Cocktail was at a little tiki bar in LA—dim lights, palm-print wallpaper, and a flamingo stir stick. I’m usually a classic daiquiri girl (or coconut mojito if I’m feeling extra tropical), but this one was calling my name. One sip and I was hooked!
It’s not your average tiki cocktail, and that’s exactly why I love it. After testing a few versions, this recipe landed right in that sweet spot: bold, balanced, and just a little unexpected.
Jungle Bird Cocktail Ingredient Notes
Here’s what you’ll need to make this bold and beautiful cocktail—plus a few fun twists if you’re in the mood to experiment:
Dark Rum – I love using a rich, aged rum for this. It gives the drink that deep, smooth flavor that balances the pineapple and Campari so well. You can also use blackstrap rum for an even bolder twist!
Campari – Not your typical tiki ingredient, but somehow it totally works here. It adds that bitter, herbal edge that keeps the drink from being overly sweet. (You can also try Aperol for a lighter, less bitter version.)
Simple Syrup – Just equal parts sugar and water, simmered until melted. You can make a batch and keep it in your fridge for all your cocktail adventures. Want to get fancy? Try it with honey or agave instead for a natural touch.
Pineapple Juice – This is where the tropical magic happens. Use fresh if you can, but canned works just fine too.
Lime Juice – Always go for fresh-squeezed. It gives the drink that bright, zippy finish.
How to Make a Jungle Bird Cocktail
First things first: grab your shaker, some ice, and your favorite glass—this cocktail deserves a little flair.
Garnish with charm! I like a pineapple wedge, lime wheel, or a sprig of mint to make it feel festive.
Add everything to a cocktail shaker with ice—rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime, and simple syrup.
Shake it like you mean it! Give it a good 30-second shake to chill and blend everything. This step helps melt just the right amount of ice to balance the flavors.
Strain into your glass over fresh ice—big cubes or crushed, whatever you love.
Recipes Tip
Go for the good stuff: Use a quality dark rum, fresh lime juice, and real pineapple juice (fresh or organic if you can)—it makes all the difference in flavor.
Shake it like you mean it: A vigorous shake with ice chills the drink and helps everything blend beautifully. Don’t skip this step!
Tame the booze: If it’s a little strong for your taste, top it with a splash of soda water for a lighter, spritzier version.
Garnish with charm: Add a pineapple wedge, fronds, a lime wheel, or even a sprig of mint—presentation is part of the fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
A jungle bird cocktail tastes like a tropical cocktail with pineapple and lime juice. The Campari balances out the sweetness with a little bitterness. It’s a fruit-forward drink with complex rum and Campari flavor.
The jungle bird cocktail is a tropical drink made with rum, pineapple juice Campari, lime juice, and simple syrup. It was invented by Jeffrey Ong at Kuala Lumpur Hilton in 1978. It’s said to have been served inside a bird-shaped vessel, hence the name!
Yes, you can use white rum in this cocktail. However, the flavor will be different than if you were to use dark rum. The drink will be less robust and have a more mellow flavor.
More Rum Cocktail Recipes
Also, check out more great cocktail recipes, our favorite brunch recipes, the best-mixed drinks, tequila cocktails, gin cocktails, vodka cocktails, and cheap drinks to make at home!
If you make this Jungle Bird cocktail, I’d love to see it! Tag me @sugarandcharm and leave a comment below—cheers!
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Jungle Bird Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 3 ounces pineapple juice , fresh
- 1 ounce lime juice, fresh
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for vigorously for 30 seconds. This is a crucial step when making the cocktail. The water from the ice needs to melt while shaking so dilute the cocktail so the ingredients blend together.
- Once the cocktail has been shaken, strain into a glass filled with ice.
- You can use large ice cubes or crushed ice for this cocktail.
Notes
- Use a good-quality dark rum for the richest flavor. Aged or blackstrap rum adds depth that balances the sweetness and bitterness.
- Chill your glass ahead of time if you want an extra refreshing experience.
- Fresh pineapple juice makes a big difference in flavor, but canned works in a pinch.
- If Campari is too bitter for you, try using Aperol or reduce the amount slightly.
- Make it ahead: You can batch this cocktail (without ice) and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours—just shake with ice before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This sounds so refreshing! Excited to find an easy and delicious cocktail as it starts to warm up!
The rum and pineapple combination is wonderful! Thanks for the recipe!
Such a perfect combo and super refreshing!
I love the name of this cocktail! It’s so delicious too!