Flaming Volcano (cocktail)
Encyclopedia
The flaming volcano is a large tropical group cocktail
made of rum
, brandy
, pineapple
juice, orange juice
, almond
syrup, and sometimes other ingredients. It is usually a multi-user drink, served to a group in a special, ritual vessel known as a volcano bowl
, which is a decorative ceramic bowl (typically of about 32 USoz capacity) designed with a rising central hub feature usually resembling a crude volcano
cone. The cone includes a second, much smaller central pit or "crater" which is partially filled with rum or other flammable high-alcohol liquor. The "crater" liquor is then ignited, creating a mild volcanic ambience with its central blue flame. This central flame can be interpreted as symbolically and subliminally suggesting spiritual or emotional unity among those partaking of the community beverage.
The flaming volcano is usually served to a group of two or more friends with a set of very long colored straws to create a festive atmosphere, to facilitate convenient sipping from a comfortable distance, to prevent regrettable head impacts, and for fire safety, as unintentional hair ignition could result if users bent too near the central flame while imbibing.
between the '50s and '60s. Others claim that it came from Chile
during the times of Augusto Pinochet
. It has since gained popularity in the US and throughout the world.
, with brandy
commonly added, but vodka
and even gin
appear in some recipes. A flavored rum such as Malibu Rum
might be partially substituted, according to taste. Some versions also float Triple Sec
on top.
Cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two or more ingredients—at least one of the ingredients must be a spirit.Cocktails were originally a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. The word has come to mean almost any mixed drink that contains alcohol...
made of rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
, brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
, pineapple
Pineapple
Pineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and its edible fruit, which is actually a multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries. It was given the name pineapple due to its resemblance to a pine cone. The pineapple is by far the most economically important plant in the Bromeliaceae...
juice, orange juice
Orange juice
Orange juice is a popular beverage made from oranges. It is made by extraction from the fresh fruit, by desiccation and subsequent reconstitution of dried juice, or by concentration of the juice and the subsequent addition of water to the concentrate...
, almond
Almond
The almond , is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree...
syrup, and sometimes other ingredients. It is usually a multi-user drink, served to a group in a special, ritual vessel known as a volcano bowl
Volcano bowl
Volcano bowls are ceramic drinkware originally associated with mid-century American tiki bars and tropical-themed restaurants. Drinks served in volcano bowls are typically rum-based, mixed with tropical fruit juices and other liquors such as brandy, vodka, and triple sec, and garnished with fruit...
, which is a decorative ceramic bowl (typically of about 32 USoz capacity) designed with a rising central hub feature usually resembling a crude volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
cone. The cone includes a second, much smaller central pit or "crater" which is partially filled with rum or other flammable high-alcohol liquor. The "crater" liquor is then ignited, creating a mild volcanic ambience with its central blue flame. This central flame can be interpreted as symbolically and subliminally suggesting spiritual or emotional unity among those partaking of the community beverage.
The flaming volcano is usually served to a group of two or more friends with a set of very long colored straws to create a festive atmosphere, to facilitate convenient sipping from a comfortable distance, to prevent regrettable head impacts, and for fire safety, as unintentional hair ignition could result if users bent too near the central flame while imbibing.
History and popularity
The flaming volcano is said to have been started in HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
between the '50s and '60s. Others claim that it came from Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
during the times of Augusto Pinochet
Augusto Pinochet
Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte, more commonly known as Augusto Pinochet , was a Chilean army general and dictator who assumed power in a coup d'état on 11 September 1973...
. It has since gained popularity in the US and throughout the world.
Preparation and variations
One version of the flaming volcano is prepared by blending the ingredients with ice as described in the box above. It is also served over ice. The base liquor is usually some form of rumRum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
, with brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
commonly added, but vodka
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
and even gin
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
appear in some recipes. A flavored rum such as Malibu Rum
Malibu Rum
Malibu Rum is a flavored rum made with natural coconut extract, possessing an alcohol content by volume of 21.0% . The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard and it is made in Canada.-History:...
might be partially substituted, according to taste. Some versions also float Triple Sec
Triple sec
Triple sec, originally Curaçao triple sec, is a variety of Curaçao liqueur, an orange-flavoured liqueur made from the dried peels of bitter and sweet orange....
on top.