Thai Cocktails for Unique Alcoholic Drinks

Cocktails from Thailand, a Perfect Blend of Alcohol and Juice

Nov 3, 2008 Laurence O'Sullivan

Evoke the tastes of Thailand, with easy to make Thai cocktails. With a wide variety of exotic fruits available, cocktails from Thailand are refreshing and easy to make.

One of the highlights of visiting Thailand is to partake of the Cocktail hour at the Oriental, Bangkok’s oldest hotel, overlooking the Chaophaya River, the “Mother of all rivers”. Here the visitor can enjoy the setting of the sun as the river comes to life while enjoying the many and varied refreshing cocktails which Thailand has to offer. Of course it is not necessary to go to Thailand to enjoy Thai cocktails. They are easy to make, refreshing and can be enjoyed anywhere.

Bangkok Cooler

Bangkok is Thailand’s hottest city, both in temperature and night life. This cocktail helps the overheated traveler to cool down. The recipe uses Sang Som, a Thai rum based drink, but any light rum will do.

1 ounce Sang Som
1/4 ounce of Crème de menthe (Green)
1/2 ounce of lime juice
1/2 ounce of grenadine
2 ounces of pineapple juice

Half fill a cocktail shaker with cracked ice cubes. Shake well and pour un-strained into a tall glass. Garnish with a pineapple slice, cherry and an orchid blossom if available.

Chaophaya River

Although not as well known in the west as the Mekong River or the River Kwai, the Chaopaya River is the beating, pulsing heart of Bangkok and is known as the “Mother of all rivers”. This cocktail honors the esteem the Thai people have for the Chaophaya River.

1 ounce whiskey, preferable Thai Meakong whiskey
1/2 ounce Orange Curacao
1 1/2 ounces of lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker half filled with cracked ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a double Martini glass. Decorate with a wedge of pineapple, lemon slice and orchid blossom.

Siamese Sour

This cocktail harks back to Siam, the old name for Thailand. It is strong in alcohol, but amazingly refreshing. In Thailand Meakong whiskey is used, but any light colored whiskey will suffice.

1 ounce Meakong whiskey
1/2 ounce of Orange Curacao
1/4 ounce of Cointreau
1 ounce of lemon juice

Put all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker half filled with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into a brandy glass and garnish with an orange slice and orchid blossom.

Penacarada

Coconut is widely grown in Thailand and is a major food ingredient. This cocktail uses coconut milk to provide its unique flavor.

1 ounce of white rum
1/2 ounce of Galliano
2 teaspoons of rose hip syrup
2 teaspoons of sugar syrup
2 teaspoons of coconut milk
1/2 ounce of pineapple juice
1 teaspoon of milk

Half fill a cocktail shaker with finely crushed ice. Add all the ingredients and shake well. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with a pineapple slice, orange slice and a cherry.

Narai Special

Not a particularly Thai cocktail, nonetheless this a specialty of the Narai Hotel, a modern and popular hotel in the business district of Bangkok.

1 ounce of brandy
1/2 ounce of dry vermouth
1/2 ounce of sweet vermouth
1/4 ounce of vintage champagne
1/4 ounce of lemon juice
1/4 ounce of grenadine

Half fill the shaker with ice and pour in all ingredients. Shake well and strain into a champagne glass. Garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.

Of course Thailand is not limited to just Thai cocktails. Because of the huge selection of exotic fruits available there are many variations on traditional gin based cocktails and tequila cocktails. The variety of fresh fruits in Thailand also ensures that there is no shortage of non alcoholic cocktails available.

The copyright of the article Thai Cocktails for Unique Alcoholic Drinks in Beer, Cocktails & Beverages is owned by Laurence O'Sullivan. Permission to republish Thai Cocktails for Unique Alcoholic Drinks in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.