Tropical Itch
COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 30 ml Bourbon
- 30 ml 151 Overproof Rum
- 15 ml Triple Sec
- 90 ml Passionfruit Puree
- 30 ml Pineapple Juice
- 15 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 30 ml Dark Jamaican Rum
- 151 Overproof Rum and Demerara Sugar Cube (Optional)
GARNISH:
- Sprig of Mint
- Half of passionfruit
- Backscratcher
INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients except dark Jamaican rum and bitters in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and give it a brief shake to combine the ingredients.
• Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh crushed ice.
• Float dark Jamaican rum and bitters on top.
• Garnish with a sprig of mint, half of passionfruit and a backscratcher.
• Optional: take an empty half of a passionfruit shell, fill it with overproof rum, put demerara sugar cube inside, then set it on fire for an extra flair.
Cocktail author: Harry Yee (Hilton Hawaiian Gardens, Hawaii).
I love a good tropical cocktail and Harry Yee has invented some of my favorites. Now I can add Tropical Itch to this list. It has all fun tiki staples: rum, tropical ingredients and a very original garnish.
From the very beginning Tropical Itch does not hold back punches. Funky Jamaican rum float hits you right away, letting you know this cocktail will be quite a journey.
Unusually, the build of Tropical Itch starts with bourbon, not a very common ingredient in tiki style drinks. In hindsight I would probably use higher proof bourbon, not because the cocktail needs more booze, but because it has to stand up to a lot of other strong flavors. Otherwise those sweet oaky notes get kind of lost among the long list of notes mixed in this cocktail. Overproof rum provides quite a kick and brings some sweet molasses and caramel notes pairing amazingly well with slightly tart passion fruit and sweet orange notes of triple sec. A touch of lemon juice provides counterbalance to other sweeter ingredients and combines well with pineapple juice which lengthens the cocktail. Finish off with a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters to bring it all together, float funky dark Jamaican rum on top and enjoy.
First thing I thought after taking a sip was “Wow, there is a lot going on here. Yet the result is incredibly delicious.” Additionally, backscratcher garnish is a stroke of humorous genius. It immediately catches your eye. I can only imagine a reaction to someone being served this at the bar. All in all, if you love tropical rum filled tiki style drinks, Tropical Itch is a must try.