Why we love this scorpion drink
- This is the perfect tiki cocktail to share with close friends. This is a cocktail that is meant to be shared! Plus, this drink itself is a show-stopping conversation starter.
- The scorpion drink packs a punch, though it is easily masked with fruit juices and flavorful syrups. The cocktail is made even more exciting with a range of dramatic garnishes such as edible flowers, cinnamon sticks and pineapple leaves.
- If you’re not able to share with a group, don’t worry. I’m including a directions for making a small batch – just enough for two people.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it
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Equipment
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- Dark rum
- Gin
- Brandy
- Orgeat – Follow this easy-to-make hack for orgeat syrup or feel free to use store bought. This almond flavored rich simple syrup is frequently used in tiki cocktails.
- Demerara syrup – This simple syrup has a unique, rich caramelized flavor made from brown demerara sugar. Demerara syrup is also a staple for tiki cocktail classics.
- Lime juice
- Orange juice
- Overproof rum – optional, for a flaming finishing touch and an additional blast of rum. This is sometimes lit on fire for a dramatic presentation – be careful because this can be highly dangerous.
How to make a scorpion cocktail
Mix the cocktail. Add all ingredients, except overproof rum, with ice to a cocktail shaker. Vigorously shake the shaker until the cocktail is well chilled. Strain before serving to remove any excess pulp from the fruit juices.
If serving a full scorpion/volcano bowl, you may need an extra large shaker. Alternatively, you can toss everything in a blender and flash blend with a little bit of ice to dilute the mixture.
Serve over ice. Whether you are serving a bowl or individual cocktails, the scorpion drink is best served over crushed ice. Fill your vessel with ice and double strain the cocktail over it.
Add garnish as desired.
Light the fire. Add the overproof rum to the bowl. If you don’t have a specific place for this, you can also use an inverted lime rind. With the utmost caution, light the overproof rum with a lighter (using a long handled lighter is safest).
For individual cocktails, I prefer to skip this step and just add the overproof rum directly to the cocktail shaker.
Everything you need to know about the scorpion bowl
Why do they call it a Scorpion Bowl?
This Hawaiian tiki cocktail was originally served in a scorpion shaped ceramic bowl. Scorpion shaped bowls are quite difficult to find, so over the years this communal cocktail has been served in what is considered to be a volcano bowl, similar to the one in these pictures.
Can you drink the middle of a scorpion bowl?
Only if the center of the bowl is not lit on fire. If you choose to serve your scorpion bowl with the overproof rum on fire, please be sure to extinguish the flames before consuming the liquid. Be careful, lighting overproof rum on fire can be extremely dangerous.
How do you drink a Scorpion Bowl?
Typically a scorpion bowl is served to a group of people and is served with individual straws for each person. Sometimes the straws are extra long to account for the distance between people. Either way, it is a fun experience for all that partake, but be careful not to over indulge as this is a very strong cocktail.
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Ingredients
- 4 ounces dark rum
- 4 ounces gin
- 2 ounces brandy
- 2 ounces orgeat
- 1 1/2 ounce Demerara syrup
- 2 ounces lime juice
- 4 ounces orange juice
- Ice
- 1/2 ounce overproof rum (optional)
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce brandy
- 3/4 ounce demerara syrup
- 1 ounce orgeat
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 1/4 ounce overproof rum
- Ice
- For garnish: cinnamon stick (fresh mint or pineapple leaves, orchids, citrus slices and cherries)
Instructions
For a bowl:
- Strain into a scorpion bowl filled with ice and garnish as desired.
- Add overproof rum to the center well. Using extreme caution, light overproof rum before serving.
For 2 individual cocktails:
- Add all ingredients, including the overproof rum, to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake vigorously until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass filled with crushed ice and garnish as desired.
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