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The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
The Yellow Bird is a fun rum cocktail filled with tropical fruit. The primary recipe features orange and pineapple juice but another tasty variation includes banana. It's a drink that is a hit on the beaches of the Caribbean, though you will be hard-pressed to find two Yellow Birds made the same way.
How Strong Is a Yellow Bird?
When it comes to alcohol content, the Yellow Bird falls in line with many similar tropical cocktails. They tend to contain a nice amount of liquor offset by an abundance of fruit. This makes the drinks deceptive because the alcohol is masked by all the flavor, so it's very easy to have one too many (not the best idea on a sunny beach). Be sure to drink plenty of water with the yellow bird as it weighs in around 18 percent ABV (36 proof). It's not the strongest cocktail you can mix up, but it's also not the lightest.
As is common in tropical cocktails, the Yellow Bird uses light and dark rum. A touch of Galliano (anise and vanilla liqueur) is added to bring another layer of flavor and make things more interesting. It's a fabulous flavor combination you'll enjoy every sip of.
No matter how you mix it, the yellow bird makes a great summertime cocktail.
Ingredients
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1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, from 1/2 lime
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1 1/4 ounces orange juice
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1 ounce light rum
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1 ounce dark rum
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1/4 ounce Galliano L'Autentico liqueur
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Maraschino cherry, for garnish, optional
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Fresh mint sprig, for garnish, optional
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lime (about 1/2 ounce) into a cocktail shaker with ice.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Add the 1 1/4 ounces orange juice, 1 ounce light rum, 1 ounce dark rum and 1/4 ounce Galliano.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Shake well.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Strain into a collins glass filled with crushed ice.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
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Garnish with 1 maraschino cherry and a sprig of fresh mint, if you like.
The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
The name "Yellow Bird" is a popular choice for several yellow-colored, tropical cocktails. The recipe above is one of the most popular and oldest. If you're in the mood for a slightly different Yellow Bird, try one of these:
- Make it icy! - The blended yellow bird is a popular frozen cocktail on cruise ships. It is made by blending 1 ounce each of light rum and pineapple juice, 1/4 ounce each of Galliano and crème de banane liqueurs, and 2 ounces of orange juice. It's served over ice in a hurricane glass. You can also skip the blender and shake the ingredients.
- Add coffee - Many Yellow Bird recipes come from Caribbean vacation hot spots, and one popular version includes coffee liqueur. Shake 1 1/2 ounces light rum, 3/4 ounce crème de banane, 1/2 ounce each of Tia Maria (coffee liqueur), and pineapple juice, and 2 1/2 ounces orange juice. Strain it over fresh ice.
- No orange, no problem! - Another popular option is skipping the orange juice in the Galliano recipe.
- Simplicity is best - For a simple Yellow Bird, top a shot each of rum and banana liqueur with orange juice.
- Add vodka - Sometimes, vodka is added to the mix. These versions often skip the juice, opting for sour mix with 151-proof rum instead.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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179 | Calories |
0g | Fat |
9g | Carbs |
0g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 1 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 179 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 2mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 9g | 3% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
Total Sugars 7g | |
Protein 0g | |
Vitamin C 24mg | 120% |
Calcium 7mg | 1% |
Iron 0mg | 1% |
Potassium 99mg | 2% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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