Well, Summer officially seems to be here, at last!

So we thought there is no better time than to be outside with our friends, enjoying our favourite drinks. We thought we would find out what everybody at The Jungle’s favourite coktails are, as well as give you all a great recipe for our very own JUNGLE JUICE!

JUNGLE JUICE is, in essence, a fruit punch – but a fruit punch with a kick that a mule would envy!
It became popular in New York and in college campuses across America, and recipes for it are as numerous as the tales of ‘what happened after I’d drunk it – or so I’m told’! It’s said to have got its name from the wild animal-like behavior of imbibers.
The basics are:
• A clear spirit, such as vodka or white rum
• Fruit juices
• Fruit
Sometimes added:
• Any alcohol that’s left over from Christmas
• Any alcohol brought by party guests

The last two aren’t recommended unless you want to risk being very ill the next day!
Jungle Juice is usually made in gallons; it’s not a single simple sophisticated cocktail! So when you’re planning your party, add ‘large plastic container’ (such as a dustbin) to your shopping list.
• Provide a ladle for guests to help themselves.
• The fruit absorbs a lot of alcohol. Bear that in mind if eating it!
• Pure alcohol should never be drunk straight. It is highly potent and can irritate the throat.

Jungle Juice I
• 5 bottles vodka
• 16 cartons fruit juice
• 8 litres lemonade
• Fresh fruit
Chop up a mixture of fruit (apples, grapes, oranges, pineapples, melons) and place in the bottom of a clean plastic bin. Pour on the vodka and leave the fruit to soak for 12 hours.
Add the fruit juice and lemonade.

Jungle Juice II
(for serious partying with friends!)
• 6 litres vodka
• 1 bottle peach schnapps
• 2 bottles apple schnapps
• 1 bottle white rum
• 1 bottle gin
• 1 bottle brandy
• 4 bottles red wine
• 8 litres mixed fruit juice
• 2 litres orange juice
• 10 litres soda water
• Fresh fruit
Chop up a mixture of fruit (apples, grapes, oranges, pineapples, melons) and place in the bottom of a clean plastic bin. Pour on the alcohol and leave the fruit to soak for 4 hours.
Add the fruit juice and soda water and leave to stand for another 12 hours before serving.

Jungle Juice III
(When there’s just the 2 of you!)
• ½ carton red grapefruit juice
• ¾ carton pineapple juice
• 1 carton orange juice
• ½ pint ginger ale
• ¾ pint white rum
• Fresh fruit
Cut up bite-sized pieces of fruit and place them in a large container with the rum. Leave to soak for a few hours. Add the juices and ginger ale. To serve, pour over crushed ice in a
long glass.

While purists would say that Jungle Juice should never contain beer, others say it adds a different dimension to the drink. The only rule to remember when making Jungle Juice is that there aren’t any rules. Make it up as you go along varying the ingredients depending on your cupboard, your purse and your taste buds.
Well, maybe there is one rule: don’t drink it and drive!

Alternatively you could always try the

JUNGLE ROCKET
• 1 shot Banana Licquer
• 1 shot triple sec
• 1 shot midori
• Pour orange juice
• Dash grenadine
add the alcohol shots to a shaker full of ice and fill to the top with Orange Juice, shake vigourously pour into a glass then top-up with Grenadine and serve.

Keep reading to find out about our staff favourites