Brass MonkeyCocktail recipe
Rating
Brass Monkey is a classic cocktail that has been around for decades. It is believed to have originated in the Caribbean in the 1970s, but has since become a popular drink all over the world.
The name Brass Monkey is said to come from the shaped glass it is traditionally served in, resembling a brass monkey's head. This fruity and refreshing cocktail typically contains a blend of vodka, white rum, and orange juice.
The combination of these ingredients creates a bold and tangy flavor with a hint of sweetness. The vodka and rum provide a strong base, while the orange juice adds a burst of citrus.
It is often served over ice, making it the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer day. Sipping on a Brass Monkey will transport you to a tropical paradise, making it a beloved choice among cocktail enthusiasts.
Microbadges
Tags
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
The Brass Monkey cleverly marries the sharpness of vodka and the tropical vibes of white rum with a generous splash of orange juice, delivering a zesty and robust flavor profile that sings of sun-drenched days by the sea. Its simplicity allows the crisp, clear notes of the spirits to shine through while being beautifully tempered by the sweet and citrusy undertones of the orange, making it a perpetually popular choice for those seeking both refreshment and a spirited lift.
Method
How to make a Brass Monkey
-
- Add all the ingredients into a highball glass with ice
-
- Stir and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Brass Monkey with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use freshly squeezed orange juice for a more vibrant and tangy citrus flavor versus using store-bought juice.
- For an extra layer of complexity, add a dash of orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
- Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Featured in
-
Party items
Enjoy
FAQ's
What is the origin of the name 'Brass Monkey' for the cocktail?
The term 'Brass Monkey' has various origins, but in the context of the cocktail, it's believed to come from the colloquial expression referring to very cold weather. Additionally, 'Brass Monkey' was popularized in part by the hip-hop group Beastie Boys in their song of the same name, which indirectly helped make the drink more well-known. The cocktail itself, mixing vodka, white rum, and orange juice, does not have a single, traceable point of origin, as it's a simple mix that could have been made by various people independently.
Can I make a Brass Monkey cocktail without white rum?
Yes, you can make a version of the Brass Monkey cocktail without white rum by simply substituting another spirit or omitting the rum altogether. The cocktail is quite versatile. Without the rum, the flavor profile will change and it might be less complex, but you can adjust the amount of vodka or add a different spirit to suit your taste.
Is the Brass Monkey a strong cocktail?
With an alcohol content of 4%, the Brass Monkey is considered a relatively light cocktail in terms of alcohol strength. It's made with 15ml of vodka and 15ml of white rum, and then topped up with orange juice in a 300ml serving size. This makes it a great choice for those who prefer their drinks less potent or more refreshing.
How do I properly stir the Brass Monkey cocktail?
To properly stir the Brass Monkey cocktail, fill your highball glass with ice, then add the vodka and white rum. Pour in the orange juice to top up. Use a long spoon to gently stir the mixture in the glass, ensuring not to create too much turbulence so as to maintain a clear, appealing presentation. Stirring combines the ingredients evenly while chilling the drink without diluting it too much.
What kind of food pairs well with a Brass Monkey?
The Brass Monkey's sweet and citrus notes from the orange juice make it versatile for pairing with various foods. It goes particularly well with brunch dishes like pancakes, eggs benedict, or smoked salmon on toast. For other meals, light salads, grilled shrimp, or chicken dishes that aren't heavily seasoned can complement the cocktail's refreshing profile. Its light alcohol content also makes it suitable for light snacks or finger foods at gatherings.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Vesper
The drink was invented and named by fictional secret agent James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale. "A dry...
Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Ice Tea is a classic cocktail characterized by its deceptive potency and refreshing taste, despite a hefty...
White Russian
The White Russian is a classic cocktail that is known for its smooth and creamy texture. It is believed to...
Appletini
The Appletini, also known as an Apple Martini, is a popular cocktail that offers a twist on the traditional martini...
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Comments
No comments yet…
You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register