Cocktail Art
Big Kahuna
The Big Kahuna is a sweet and tropical cocktail that blends botanical gin with sweet white vermouth, orange liqueur, and pineapple juice. It has a fruity, well-rounded taste with a lower alcohol content than a typical martini. Serve this refreshing drink at summer gatherings, afternoon parties, or as a relaxed evening sipper.
- GlassRocks glass
- MethodShake
- Time3 min
- Strength≈ 9% ABV
How to make a Big Kahuna
Shake it in a rocks glass with ice cubes. About 3 minutes.
- Add ice cubes to a shaker.
- Pour in the gin, triple sec, sweet white vermouth, and pineapple juice.
- Shake well until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Bartender’s tips
- If you do not have triple sec, you can substitute it with Cointreau or Grand Marnier for a deeper orange flavor.
- Use fresh pineapple juice if possible to ensure a frothy texture and a bright, natural sweetness.
- Express the orange twist over the glass before dropping it in to release the citrus oils.
You may also like
If you enjoy the Big Kahuna, you might also want to try other classic gin-based drinks like the White Lady, Singapore Sling, Long Island Ice Tea, or Negroni.
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★ 4.6 · 584 ratingsBig Kahuna questions
What kind of gin works best in a Big Kahuna?
A standard London Dry gin works well to balance the sweetness of the pineapple juice and sweet vermouth.
How strong is the Big Kahuna cocktail?
This drink has an alcohol by volume of about 9%, making it a lighter option than standard spirit-forward cocktails.
Can I use a different orange liqueur?
Yes, you can easily substitute triple sec with Cointreau, dry orange curacao, or Grand Marnier depending on what you have on hand.