Flamingo recipe
A vibrant resort classic blending aged rum, tart pineapple, and rich grenadine syrup.
Method: Shake and fine strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: Tiki & Tropical
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aged rum (Gold or column-still aged rum)
- 0.75 oz Fresh pineapple juice (Juiced fresh)
- 0.75 oz Fresh lime juice (Squeezed fresh)
- 0.5 oz Grenadine (Pomegranate syrup)
- 2 dashes Daiquiri bitters (Or aromatic bitters)
How to make a Flamingo
- Add the aged rum, fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, grenadine, and bitters into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for approximately 10 to 12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Double strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a chilled coupe glass.
- Prepare the garnish by placing a pineapple wedge and brandied cherry on a cocktail pick.
- Rest the garnish across the rim of the glass and serve immediately.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge and a brandied cherry on a cocktail pick.
Pro tip
Using freshly pressed pineapple juice makes a noticeable difference in texture and brightness. If homemade grenadine is unavailable, select a high-grade pomegranate syrup with high fruit content to balance the tart citrus.
History of the Flamingo
The Flamingo cocktail first appeared in print within Ted Saucier's celebrated 1951 cocktail compendium, Bottoms Up. While popular lore frequently attributes its creation to bartenders at the legendary Flamingo Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, historical records remain somewhat disputed regarding whether it debuted inside the resort's casino bars or elsewhere in Nevada. Regardless of its exact point of origin, the drink established itself as a mid-century resort favorite, bridging traditional rum sour structure with tropical fruit juices.
Flavour profile
Tart, Fruity, Sweet, Complex
Variations
- Bahama Flamingo — Substitute light rum with dark rum and add a barspoon of falernum for spiced depth.
- Veracruz Formatting — Swap the aged rum for blanco tequila and add a dash of grapefruit bitters.
Practise making the Flamingo in the free Virtual Bar game.