The Perfect Shark Bite Cocktail
This contemporary cocktail is a great addition to any party. A refreshing mix of vodka, coconut rum, and pineapple juice makes for an amazing drink that looks just as good as it tastes. But this isn’t just another ordinary fruity cocktail; the Shark Bite has its own unique history. The story goes that the original recipe was created in 1969 by a bartender in California who wanted to make something special for his customers. His creation quickly gained popularity among locals and soon spread all over the country.
The name “Shark Bite” comes from the fact that when you add grenadine to rum and blue curaçao, it looks like there are “sharks” swimming in your glass! Today, this classic beverage is still enjoyed by many people around the world. Whether you want an impressive drink to serve at your next get-together or just want something different than your usual go-to cocktail, give the Shark Bite a try and see why it remains popular today.
The combination of blue curaçao and grenadine creates a captivating effect in the glass.
The Shark Bite
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz light rum
- 3/4 oz blue curaçao
- 1 1/2 oz sweet and sour mix
- 3 drops grenadine syrup or enough to create the desired effect
- Ice
- Optional garnish: cherry lemon wheel, or gummy shark candy
Instructions
- Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the light rum, blue curaçao, and sweet and sour mix.
- Shake the mixture well until chilled and combined.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass over the ice.
- Carefully add a few drops of grenadine syrup into the drink. The grenadine will sink to the bottom, creating a "blood in the water" effect resembling a shark bite.
- Optionally, garnish the drink with a cherry, lemon wheel, or gummy shark candy.
Glassware
The typical glassware for making a Shark Bite cocktail is a highball glass. A highball glass is tall and slender, designed to hold drinks that are made with carbonated beverages, such as the Shark Bite.
It allows plenty of room for ice and mixers, so you can shake up your drink without spilling it all over the countertop.
For an extra special presentation, garnish your Shark Bite with a gummy shark candy and add some color by using colored sugar rimming on the edge of the glass.
Flavors
The flavor profile of the Shark Bite cocktail is a combination of fruity, sweet, and slightly tart flavors, making it an enjoyable and refreshing beverage. The light rum serves as the base spirit and provides a subtle, smooth warmth to the drink.
The blue curaçao, an orange-flavored liqueur, imparts a sweet, citrusy taste and a vibrant blue color. The sweet and sour mix adds a tangy, zesty element to the cocktail, balancing the sweetness of the blue curaçao and providing a bright, refreshing character.
The grenadine, which is a pomegranate-based syrup, adds a touch of fruity sweetness as it sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating the “shark bite” effect. The overall flavor of the Shark Bite cocktail is well-balanced, with a pleasant interplay of sweetness and tartness that makes it suitable for various occasions, especially as a fun and visually appealing summer or themed party drink.
3 tips for Making Your Shark Bite
- Opt for fresh-squeezed orange juice and lemon juice when possible – this will add more flavor and a natural sweetness to the cocktail.
- Use high-quality rum for the best taste results.
- Adjust the amount of grenadine syrup according to your desired level of sweetness in the drink!
