The history of the Jungle Bird Cocktail

The Jungle Bird cocktail is a tiki cocktail from the late 70s that is attributed to the Aviary Bar in the Kuala Lumpur Hilton. It led a shadowy existence and was not very popular until the Tiki revivalist Jeff „Beachbum“ Berry published it in his book „Beachbum Berry Remixed“ in 2009. Since then, it has fortunately become increasingly popular again on bar menus and cocktail blogs.

CAMPARI IN A TIKI COCKTAIL?

One of the main ingredients is actually Campari, the most popular member of the bitter aperitif family. But who would have thought it, the combination of Italian bitters, rum and pineapple really is a class of its own.

Jamaican rum matches

A recommendation in the Jungle Bird cocktail is the Smith & Cross. This is a Navy Strength rum with a full 57% vol. is my „to go“ rum when I need an aged Jamaican rum for a recipe. Mild, caramelly, typically Jamaican, exotic fruits, a very subtle woody note. This thing is simply great fun. But be careful, you won’t notice its 57% vol. 

Overall, the Jungle Bird cocktail is a tiki cocktail with an interesting twist! It is one of the few rum cocktails that combine tropical flavors with the Italian bitter Campari. And because I already like this combination so much in the Kingston Negroni, I also like the Jungle Bird.

More rum cocktails?!

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