Barracuda

Barracuda

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A vibrant tropical sparkling cocktail featuring gold rum, Galliano, fresh pineapple juice, lime, and Prosecco – an IBA-recognized celebration of Tiki culture with modern refinement.

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Champagne Flute

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Recipe

1 cocktail (175ml)
  • Gold Rum 
    45 ml
  • Galliano 
    15 ml
  • Pineapple Juice 
    60 ml
  • Lime Juice 
    10 ml
  • Prosecco 
    45 ml
  • Pineapple 
    1 piece
  • Maraschino Cherry 
    1 piece
Recipe credit: International Bartenders Association (IBA)

Instructions

Step

Chill a champagne flute or coupe glass by placing in freezer for 10 minutes or filling with ice water while preparing the cocktail.

Step

In a cocktail shaker, combine 45ml gold rum, 15ml Galliano, 60ml fresh pineapple juice, and 10ml fresh lime juice.

Step

Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and properly diluted.

Step

Empty the chilled glass and fine strain the cocktail mixture into it, leaving about 2cm of space at the top for the sparkling wine.

Step

Gently top with 45ml Prosecco, adjusting amount to taste and glass size, then stir very gently with a bar spoon to integrate without losing carbonation.

Step

Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge on the rim and optionally add a maraschino cherry for color and tropical presentation.

Equipment

Shaker
Jigger
Fine Mesh Strainer
Bar spoon

Description

The Barracuda cocktail is a sophisticated tropical drink that perfectly balances the rich complexity of aged gold rum and herbal Galliano with bright pineapple juice, fresh lime, and effervescent Prosecco. This IBA-recognized cocktail represents a harmonious blend of Tiki tradition and modern sparkling wine cocktail culture, creating a drink that’s both refreshing and complex enough for serious cocktail enthusiasts.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (175ml)
Calories
185
ABV
20.5 %
Alcohol
28.6 g
Carbs
12.8 g
Carbs from Sugar
11.2 g
Fat
0.1 g
Protein
0.4 g
Sodium
3 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.
Allergens
Sulfites

Tips & Notes

  • Use only fresh pineapple juice - canned juice lacks the bright, vibrant flavor essential for this cocktail. If fresh isn't available, use a high-quality not-from-concentrate juice.

  • Choose a quality aged gold rum for depth and complexity. The rum's molasses and caramel notes are crucial for balancing the sweetness of the pineapple with the herbal Galliano.

  • Add the Prosecco last and stir very gently - over-mixing will flatten the wine and lose the essential effervescence that makes this cocktail special.

  • Ensure your glass is properly chilled before serving - this keeps the cocktail cold longer and enhances the refreshing quality of the sparkling wine.

  • Fine strain the shaken mixture to remove any pineapple pulp or ice shards, ensuring a smooth, professional texture in the final cocktail.

While Galliano’s unique vanilla-anise-herbal profile is essential to the authentic Barracuda, you could substitute with Licor 43 or Tuaca for similar vanilla notes, though the flavor will be noticeably different from the IBA standard recipe.

Gold rum provides essential caramel, molasses, and vanilla notes that complement the Galliano and balance the pineapple’s sweetness. White rum will create a lighter, less complex cocktail that lacks the depth characteristic of a proper Barracuda.

You can pre-mix the rum, Galliano, pineapple juice, and lime juice up to 4 hours ahead and keep chilled. However, add the Prosecco only when serving to maintain carbonation and effervescence – this is crucial for the cocktail’s character.

Any dry sparkling wine works well – Cava, Crémant, or Champagne are excellent alternatives. Avoid sweet sparkling wines as they’ll make the cocktail overly sugary and unbalanced. Brut or Extra Brut styles complement the tropical flavors best.

Absolutely – the 10ml of lime juice provides crucial acidity that prevents the cocktail from being cloying. It brightens all the other flavors and creates balance between the sweet pineapple, herbal Galliano, and rich rum. Don’t skip it.

Related Fruity, Herbal, Sweet, Tropical cocktails

Singapore Sling

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Singapore sling

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • Gold Rum
    45 ml
  • Galliano
    15 ml
  • Pineapple Juice
    60 ml
  • Lime Juice
    10 ml
  • Prosecco
    45 ml
  • Pineapple
    1 piece
  • Maraschino Cherry
    1 piece

Method

  1. Chill a champagne flute or coupe glass by placing in freezer for 10 minutes or filling with ice water while preparing the cocktail.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 45ml gold rum, 15ml Galliano, 60ml fresh pineapple juice, and 10ml fresh lime juice.
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and properly diluted.
  4. Empty the chilled glass and fine strain the cocktail mixture into it, leaving about 2cm of space at the top for the sparkling wine.
  5. Gently top with 45ml Prosecco, adjusting amount to taste and glass size, then stir very gently with a bar spoon to integrate without losing carbonation.
  6. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge on the rim and optionally add a maraschino cherry for color and tropical presentation.