Yellow Bird
If you're looking for a new and interesting recipe with an intriguing history behind it, try the Yellow Bird cocktail. It's a delightful summer-time drink that comes together quickly, requiring minimal cleanup, especially if you're hosting a cocktail party. Sometimes the same old cocktails just don't cut it, and you want to try something different, so Yellow Bird should be an addition to your repertoire.
Though the origins of this drink are murky, it's believed to have first been made on the Caribbean island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands sometime in the 1960s or 1970s. It gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a favourite among tourists. Yellow Bird is typically made with rum, Galliano liqueur (which has a distinct vanilla-anise essence), triple sec, lime juice, and sometimes orange juice.
Why it's named Yellow Bird is also murky, just like its origins. Some suspect its name is due to the colour of the cocktail (owed to Galliano), while others believe it's named after Yellow Bird, a Haitian poem by Oswald Durand that was translated into English and sung by many different artists. Isn't it interesting to enjoy a drink while trying to dissect its origins too? Try this cocktail at home and share it with your friends and family. Yellow Bird can be a potent drink because the juice and liqueurs completely mask the taste of the alcohol. So, it is advised to drink this cocktail with caution. It's cool to drink responsibly because too much alcohol can be injurious to your health.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake thoroughly with ice, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Tips:
If you want to switch up this IBA recipe and give it your own personal twist, feel free to do so. You can adjust the sweetness depending on your preference by adding more triple sec or simple sugar syrup.
Although the classic recipe doesn't call for a garnish, don't let that restrict you. After all, when you're serving this cocktail at your party, you have complete creative control. You can garnish the drink with a lime peel, an orange twist, maraschino cherry, edible flowers, or mint.
Chill all the ingredients, especially the cocktail glass, before you start mixing. This step will prolong the taste of the drink and keep it crisp and cold.
