Named after the sought-after golf score, the Birdie cocktail is great for summer. It’s a blend of citrus flavors like orange and pineapple mixed with rum and simple syrup. Shake it up in a cocktail maker with ice and enjoy. It’s a cocktail for people who like something a little sweeter. Sweet like getting a birdie on a tough hole.
The Birdie Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz rum
- 1/4 oz orange flavored liquor
- 1/4 oz pineapple juice
- squeeze of lime juice plus a lime spiral for garnish
- 10 ml simple syrup
- 1/4 oz orange juice
- fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Pour all of the ingredients into a martini shaker filled with ice and vigorously shake up for at least 20 seconds.
- Double strain into a martini glass and top with shredded mint leaves and/or a lime spiral. Enjoy.
⛳ The Birdie Cocktail Tips & FAQs
Golf and cocktails go hand in hand, and one of the most fun traditions on the course is birdie juice—a celebratory sip after sinking a birdie. Whether you’re teeing it up or just looking for a golf-inspired cocktail to bring to your tailgate, birdie juice is an easy, spirited option that keeps the party going.
What is birdie juice in golf?
In golf, birdie juice is a celebratory drink enjoyed after a player makes a birdie. It’s become a tradition for friends to share a shot or small pour from a flask on the course.
What is the difference between birdie juice and a birdie cocktail?
Birdie juice is more of a tradition than a strict recipe—it’s usually a quick celebratory shot made with whiskey or flavored spirits and passed around after a birdie. A birdie cocktail, on the other hand, is a mixed drink with more ingredients (like juice, soda, or flavored liqueurs (like peach schnapps or orange liqueur)) that you sip rather than shoot. At a tailgate, birdie juice is perfect for group toasts, while birdie cocktails work better in pitchers or big-batch drinks for longer sipping.
Is “birdie juice” alcoholic?
Yes, while birdie juice is traditionally alcoholic as mentioned, since it’s often made with whiskey or flavored spirits, you can make a mocktail version with fruit juice and soda water so non-drinkers can still join in on the toast.
What whiskey is good in birdie juice?
Smooth, approachable whiskeys like Maker’s Mark, Jameson, or Jack Daniel’s work well in birdie juice because they mix easily without overpowering the sweeter flavors. For a tailgate-friendly twist, try a flavored whiskey—like honey or apple—for an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser. But you are not limited to whiskey either. We use rum in our recipe because it blends perfectly with all the summery fruit juice flavors. So go ahead and change it up depending on what you’re in the mood for!
What is the most popular golf drink?
The Arnold Palmer (half lemonade, half iced tea) is the most famous golf drink, and spiked versions are common on and off the course. At a tailgate, you can serve both Arnold Palmers and birdie juice side by side for a golf-inspired drink lineup that covers refreshing sips and celebratory shots.
Birdie juice is more than just a golf tradition—it’s a fun, shareable drink that translates perfectly to tailgating. Whether you’re mixing a batch for friends or keeping a flask handy for toasts, it’s a simple way to bring a little extra celebration to your game-day spread.
Want more golf cocktails for your next tailgate? Try the Tiger Woods drink, Arnold Palmer, Classic Transfusion, Honey Deuce, and the Par 4.
