Drunken Monkey Spiced Rum Cocktails
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Feb 17, 2026 
My drunken monkey spiced rum cocktail recipe is one of my favorite tropical drinks to mix when I want something playful and fruity. I combine pineapple-orange juice with two types of rum to create a sweet, island-inspired cocktail that always feels like a mini vacation in a glass. I love how easy it is to make, especially when I’m serving drinks for summer parties or relaxing evenings at home.
I’ve made these drunken monkey cocktails with spiced rum several times since we first had them during a vacation in the Caribbean. Each time I laugh at my hazy Caribbean memory of that hot sticky day and the cocktail that kicked our butts. So trust me when I say, if you need a summertime drink to make you feel like you are living island life, this recipe is exactly what you need! The combinations of fruit juice, two kinds of rum, nutmeg, bitters, and fruit come together beautifully to create a delicious Caribbean cocktail! Similar to the best margarita recipe we have on the site, these boozy fruit cocktails are powerful and go down so easily. You can definitely get yourself in trouble, so be careful!
Kimmie – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The best party drink! Makes you feel like you’re on vacation no matter where you are. Try it with mango nectar as well-Amazing!
Sommer’s Recipe Highlights
Fruity and Fun – The pineapple orange juice blend basically overrides most of the alcohol taste. Which, yes, there is a good amount of it in each serving. So shake up a batch with friends when you plan to stay in for the evening, and enjoy making your own hazy memories!
By the Glass or Pitcher – This recipe makes 2 individual fruit cocktails. But if you’re hosting more than a couple of people or having an all-out party, the easiest way to make enough for 8 servings is to simply multiply the recipe ingredients by 4, combine the ingredients in a pitcher, stir well, and serve. PS, I provide a “servings slider” in the recipe form below, for those of you who don’t math well.
Hey, Bartender – I’m a firm believer that frequent party hosts should know how to make at least a few exciting cocktails beyond a rum and coke (not that I don’t love a good classic R&C). My spiced rum cocktails are fabulous to add to your lineup of other crowd-pleasing fruity cocktails, like a transfusion drink or a boozy Bahamian rum punch that also tastes of the islands.
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Pineapple orange juice blend – I love to use this all-in-one blend of juices for convenience, and it tastes amazing!
- Coconut rum – This is typically a white rum with coconut flavor, so it’s fairly light but also quite sweet.
- Spiced Rum – I prefer the balance of flavors in spiced rum, but feel free to use dark rum or aged rum for a deeper alcohol taste.
- Bitters – I use orange bitters for this recipe to complement the juice blend.
- Fresh ground nutmeg – If you have to use pre-ground nutmeg, fine – only use a dash. But really, to do this drunken monkey right, you need to use fresh nutmeg that you grate over the glass.
- Garnishes – I like to garnish my drinks with a maraschino cherry, lime slice, and a piece of fresh pineapple. However, you can serve it with an orange slice or a lemon slice instead!
How to Make
Find the full ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Fill and Shake – I start by adding ice into two tumblers, or one tall glass. Then I add ice into my metal cocktail shaker. Then in goes the juice, both types of rum, and a few dashes of bitters. Screw the cap on and give it a good shake for about 30 seconds. Not only does this combine the ingredients, it gives the liquid time to roll around with the ice and get extra cold.
Pour – Next, I pour the blend into the glass(es).
Cherry Layer – To achieve that layered effect, I add 1-2 teaspoons of cherry juice from the jar of maraschino cherries into the glass. Give it a few seconds to settle at the bottom with the ice.
Garnish – Add a cherry and lime slice and/or pineapple wedge to the rim. Then zest fresh nutmeg over the top and serve!
Frequently Asked Questions
Classic orange bitters are great in this cocktail, but you could get fancy, if you want, with specialty bitters like ginger-flavored or smoked bitters. For a Caribbean touch, you can go for Angostura bitters!
For this fruity cocktail recipe, I used Captain Morgan’s Original spiced gold rum, but you can use any type of Spiced Rum that you like.
To make a mocktail version, omit the two rums and the bitter in this recipe and replace the liquid with coconut water! This will be hydrating and super delicious.
More Beverage Recipes
We’ve recently released a brand-spanking new ebook called Craft Cocktails for the Home Mixologist. It’s a digital cookbook to keep on your phone or tablet, so you can make amazing cocktails no matter where you wander!
Drunken Monkey Spiced Rum Cocktail
Video
Ingredients
- 6 ounces orange-pineapple juice blend
- 3 ounces coconut rum
- 1 ounce spiced rum
- 4-5 dashes orange bitters
- Fresh ground nutmeg
- Maraschino cherries in juices
- Lime slices
- Fresh pineapple wedges
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the juice, coconut rum, spiced rum, and 4-5 shakes of bitters. Shake for 30 seconds.
- Pour into 2 iced tumblers or one tall glass. Then pour in 1-2 teaspoons of cherry juice and let it settle at the bottom of the glass. Garnish with a lime slice, pineapple wedge, and a cherry.
- Zest fresh nutmeg over the top and serve!
Love it! Reminds me of a certain 80’s movie. :)
So… if you figure that Captain Morgan is 40% alcohol and Malibu Coconut Liqueur is 21% alcohol.. each having one drink. One shot of Morgan and basically a shot and a half of Malibu… you were hammered on 2 1/2 drinks (2 1/2 beers equivalent). Huh, sloppy public drunk on basically 2 1/2 beers. I remember when I was 16 years old too! 🙄
How do you name a cocktail with the word “monkey” in it, if the recipe doesn’t contain something “Banana”… Just saying…
Exactly. This recipe is basically a rum punch that every island makes. I make a drink with Aged rum, white rum and a Banana Liquor I make at home with some fruit punch drink they sell down here with the nutmeg and bitters and it’s a true Drunken Monkey (especially as the white rum is 69 proof)
The best party drink! Makes you feel like you’re on vacation no matter where you are. Try it with mango nectar as well-Amazing!
Hey Sommer,
Please let LT Dan know that we appreciated his
Investigation into the matter of the Drunken monkey . Please keep us posted on his latest updates . Very satisfying on a tropical hurricane day and night . Thanks for the recommendation LT Dan .
Spicy “Drunken Monkey Cocktail”. I love it.
nice colors
I really like your foods, this looking so pretty and testy…
The story behind this drink is stunning. The flavors unquestionably help me to remember simple summer living!
This look amazing love all of your wonderful drinks!
This sounds amazing! Perfect for Summer!
My mouth is watering just reading this and looking at the pics. Now that that the weather is getting hotter, this sounds like perfect comfort drink after a long day.