Looking for a unique cocktail to impress your friends? Meet the Mezcal Jungle Bird — our smoky, tropical twist on a classic tiki drink. Inspired by Father’s Day, our team crafted this cocktail by combining the bold smokiness of mezcal with the bright sweetness of pineapple juice, the bittersweet depth of Campari, and a splash of our Persimmon Vinegar in place of the traditional lime. The vinegar adds a fruit-forward tang that ties everything together and gives this drink a complexity you won’t find in the original.
About the Jungle Bird
The original Jungle Bird was created in 1978 at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton and is one of the few classic tiki cocktails to feature Campari — making it more bitter, complex, and grown-up than most tropical drinks. Our mezcal riff swaps rum for smoky mezcal and adds Persimmon Vinegar for brightness, turning a retro classic into something entirely its own. It’s bold, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink.
Mezcal Jungle Bird Cocktail
Ingredients
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup honey or sugar
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 1.5 oz pineapple juice
- 0.5 oz Persimmon Vinegar
- 0.5 oz Campari
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup: Combine 1 part water and 1 part honey or sugar in a pot. Heat on the stove, stirring constantly until dissolved. Let the simple syrup cool and save some for the final cocktail.
- In a cocktail shaker add the mezcal, pineapple juice, Persimmon Vinegar, Campari, and 0.5 ounces of the simple syrup.
- Shake well and serve over rocks. Garnish with a pineapple slice.
Tips & Variations
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Mezcal matters: Use a good quality mezcal with a pronounced smoky character — it’s the backbone of the drink.
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Fresh pineapple juice: If you can juice fresh pineapple, do it. The difference is noticeable.
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Make it a batch cocktail: Scale up the recipe and mix in a pitcher for a crowd — just add ice and garnish per glass.
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Non-alcoholic version: Swap the mezcal for smoked water or lapsang souchong tea and the Campari for a splash of pomegranate juice for a zero-proof version with similar complexity.
Why We Love Vinegar in Cocktails
Adding a small amount of vinegar to a cocktail is a bartender’s trick for adding brightness and acidity without extra citrus. Our Persimmon Vinegar is especially well-suited for this — its natural sweetness and mellow tang complement spirits beautifully. Try it in other cocktails too: a splash in a whiskey sour, a margarita, or even a simple gin and tonic adds a surprising depth.
Have a favorite Persimmon Vinegar recipe? Send us a note and we’ll share it!
