Tropicalia Cocktail
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 10.6% ABV ∙
The Tropicalia Cocktail is a shaken tiki-style drink built on spiced rum, falernum, banana tea, pineapple and lime, served in a Collins glass. Frothy and bright from the shake, it finishes tart and lightly spiced, with a soft fruit sweetness lingering under a clean, warming backbone.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Cacao & coffee spiced rum 40 mlFalernum liqueur 15 mlBanana tea 45 mlPineapple juice 20 mlLime juice 10 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 2 dashes
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with gypsophila
Tips
- Pre-chill the glass before straining so the fine-strained drink doesn't lose its chill sitting in a warm glass.
- Fine-strain to keep the drink clear and silky, since shaking the banana tea and juices can otherwise leave fine pulp in the glass.
History
The Tropicalia is a modern tiki-style cocktail created in 2019 by bartender Sufian Mahmoud at Sugar Sand, the bar of the Hotel Indigo in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia. Its recipe of spiced rum, falernum, banana tea, and pineapple juice reflects the contemporary craft-tiki movement that reinterprets classic Caribbean tropical drinks with house-made syrups and infusions rather than commercial mixes.
FAQ
What is in a Tropicalia Cocktail?
A Tropicalia Cocktail is made of cacao and coffee spiced rum, falernum liqueur, banana tea, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters, shaken and served in a Collins glass with a gypsophila garnish.
How do you make a tropical cocktail like the Tropicalia?
Shake the spiced rum, falernum, banana tea, pineapple juice, lime juice, and bitters together with ice, then fine-strain into a pre-chilled Collins glass and garnish with gypsophila. The banana tea and pineapple juice give it its tropical character, while the falernum adds a spiced, clove-like sweetness typical of tiki-style drinks.
How strong is a Tropicalia Cocktail?
It's fairly light at about 10.6% ABV, since banana tea and juice make up much of the pour, giving real spiced-rum character without a heavy kick.
Is the Tropicalia Cocktail vegan?
Yes, the Tropicalia Cocktail is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, since it is built entirely from rum, falernum, banana tea, and fruit juices with no dairy or animal-derived ingredients.
