Jungle Bird Cocktail Recipe – is a striking tiki-style drink that masterfully blends tropical flavors with the deep bitterness of Campari. First crafted in the 1970s at the Aviary Bar in Kuala Lumpur’s Hilton Hotel, this cocktail was served as a welcome drink to guests—and has since evolved into a cult classic for craft cocktail lovers.
Unlike most tiki cocktails that lean heavily into sweet and fruity notes, the Jungle Bird balances sweetness with a touch of bitterness, making it both refreshing and complex. It combines dark rum, pineapple juice, Campari, lime juice, and simple syrup into a bold yet approachable drink that’s visually vibrant and bursting with flavor. Served over ice and garnished with a tropical flourish, this drink is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their cocktail game beyond the usual Mai Tai or Piña Colada.
Recipe Overview
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
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Active Time: 5 minutes
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Resting Time: 0 minutes
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Total Time: 5 minutes
Cuisines
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Malaysian-inspired
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Tiki / Tropical
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American craft cocktail
Course
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Beverage
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Cocktail / Drink
Servings
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1 cocktail (scaleable for a pitcher or batch)
Equipment Needed
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Cocktail shaker
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Jigger or measuring tool
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Hawthorne strainer
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Rocks glass or tiki mug
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Citrus juicer (optional)
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Ice cubes
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Paring knife (for garnish)
Ingredients
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1 ½ oz dark rum (preferably Jamaican or blackstrap for depth)
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¾ oz Campari
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1 ½ oz pineapple juice (fresh is best)
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½ oz fresh lime juice
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½ oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water ratio)
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Ice cubes
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Garnish: pineapple wedge, mint sprig, or lime wheel
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 210 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Sugars | 14 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
| Alcohol by Volume (ABV) | ~13–15% |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cocktail Shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup.
Step 2: Shake Well
Secure the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. The goal is to chill the drink thoroughly while mixing all ingredients into a cohesive blend.
Step 3: Strain and Pour
Using a Hawthorne strainer, strain the mixture into a rocks glass (or tiki glass) filled with fresh ice.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Add a garnish of fresh pineapple, a mint sprig, or a lime wheel for a tropical touch. Serve with a straw or stirrer and enjoy immediately.
Flavor Profile
The Jungle Bird is a masterclass in flavor balance:
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Sweet & Tart: From pineapple and lime juice
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Bold & Rich: From the dark rum
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Bitter & Herbal: Thanks to Campari
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Smooth Finish: The simple syrup ties it all together
The result is a multi-layered cocktail that starts sweet and citrusy but finishes with a pleasant bitterness, making it surprisingly drinkable and perfect for warm evenings or tiki-themed gatherings.
Tips for Success
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Use quality dark rum like a Jamaican or blackstrap variety for richness and body.
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Fresh pineapple and lime juice elevate the flavor dramatically over bottled alternatives.
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Adjust sweetness: If it’s too bitter for your taste, slightly increase the simple syrup or use a less bitter aperitif like Aperol.
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Serve in a chilled glass to keep it refreshing longer.
Why Try This Jungle Bird Cocktail Recipe?
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Tiki with a twist: It breaks the mold of overly sweet tropical drinks with its bittersweet elegance.
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Visually stunning: The reddish-orange hue is perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.
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Versatile: Works well as both a summer refresher and a bold evening drink.
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Easy to make at home: Requires just 5 ingredients and minimal bar tools.
Final Thoughts
The Jungle Bird Cocktail Recipe offers a delightful detour from your usual tropical drinks, combining the richness of rum and the zing of fruit juice with the refined bitterness of Campari. It’s not just a drink—it’s a statement. Perfect for impressing guests, exploring tiki culture, or simply treating yourself to a cocktail that’s as bold as it is balanced.
Give it a shake, sip slowly,
