(Note: this post was originally published on March 16, 2023. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
Sip Your Sign
The zodiac suggests that your birth time plays a role in determining your personality, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. If so, then it might determine your drink preferences too, right?? It's time for some zodiac co*cktails!
I was beyond excited when my wonderful friends at Koloa Rum asked me to design a suite of 12 co*cktails to represent the 12 zodiac signs. Our goal was to create a co*cktail for each sign that pays homage to that sign's most notable characteristics; you'll see those characteristics represented in each of the zodiac co*cktails through the ingredients, the flavors, the styling, and even the garnishes.
Because Koloa Rum is distilled on Kaua'i (the northernmost Hawaiian island) and that's where I spend winters, this whole suite of zodiac co*cktails has a distinctly tropical vibe. You'll see lots of beautiful, colorful Kaua'i fruits and flowers in all the photos too.
As we approach the start of the next zodiac year, I'm so excited to be sharing these horoscope co*cktails with you. Below, you'll find the 12 zodiac signs (in the order in which they occur throughout the year), a description of the co*cktail, ingredients, and directions for creating the co*cktail. I hope you have as much fun with them as I did!
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Aries' Cinnamon Spice Old Fashioned
March 21 - April 19
Aries, you're bold, ambitious, and full of fire. This uncomplicated co*cktail pays homage to your desire for directness and to the passion with which you tackle any challenge.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Spice Rum
- 0.5 oz cinnamon simple syrup
- Several pieces of orange peel
- Kumquat (or orange) slices for garnish
For the Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
Combine several whole cinnamon sticks with one cup of granulated white sugar and one cup of water. Boil until the syrup has thickened significantly, enough to coat the back of a spoon, and has become a deep amber color. Strain the simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer, then cool it completely before using. Store any extra syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.
Directions:
In a co*cktail stirring glass, combine the rum and simple syrup. Squeeze the orange peel gently over the stirring glass to add the fragrant oils from the peel into the co*cktail. Stir well with ice, then strain into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass with several large ice cubes. Garnish with several kumquat slices.
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Taurus' Tropical Boozy Brunch Sip
April 20 - May 20
Taurus, you're the guru of luxury and treating yourself right. Pamper your little bull self with this elegant co*cktail that would be perfect for a fancy boozy brunch.
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp pink dragonfruit puree
- 1 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Coconut Rum
- 2 oz light-colored tropical fruit juice blend
- Dash of soda water
- ½ oz Kōloa Kaua’i Cacao Rum
- Kumquat half for garnish
Directions:
In a co*cktail shaker, combine the dragonfruit puree, coconut rum, and tropical fruit juice. Shake well with ice, then strain into a chilled champagne flute. Add a dash of soda water, then gently float the Cacao rum on top. Garnish with a kumquat half or other tropical fruit.
Ingredient Note:
Pink dragonfruit is a very brightly-colored tropical fruit. Some grocery stores sell frozen packets of puree, or you can make your own in a blender. If you can’t find it, substitute ¼ tsp pink dragonfruit powder, which many artisan grocery stores sell and is easily available online. If you use dragonfruit powder, double-strain the co*cktail to remove any wayward clumps.
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Gemini's Mango Basil Mojito
May 21 - June 21
Gemini, you're playful and driven by curiosity, just like the flavors in this non-traditional mojito. It's perfect to serve up at all the summer parties you're probably planning!
Ingredients:
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- Several cubes of raw (e.g. Demerara) sugar
- 2 oz Kōloa Kaua’i White Rum
- 2 oz mango juice
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- Club soda, to top
- Sprig of basil for garnish
- Lime wedge for garnish
Directions:
In a co*cktail shaker, combine the basil leaves and sugar cubes and muddle them lightly. Add the rum, mango juice, and lime juice, then shake well with ice. Strain into a tall, narrow serving glass filled with ice. Fill the glass to the top with club soda. Garnish with a sprig of basil and a lime wedge.
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Cancer's Coconut Ginger Rum Fizz
June 22 - July 22
Cancer, your sensitive crab self likes to be safe and cozy, just like the warming flavors in this co*cktail. The coconut rum pays homage to the fact that the ocean and tropics are in your soul.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Coconut Rum
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 3-4 oz low-sugar ginger beer
- 1 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Dark Rum
- Lime wedge for garnish
Directions:
Fill a tall, narrow glass with crushed ice. Add the coconut rum and lime juice, then fill most of the glass with ginger beer. Top if off with a dark rum float, then garnish with a wedge of lime.
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Leo's Spiced Hibiscus Daiquiri
July 23 - August 22
Leo, you love to be in the spotlight, just like this show-stopping pink daiquiri. It's full of drama and charisma, and sure to be the center of attention. It's also a bit extra, just like you!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Spice Rum
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz hibiscus simple syrup
- Starfruit slice for garnish
For the Hibiscus Simple Syrup:
Combine several hibiscus herbal tea bags with one cup of granulated white sugar and one cup of water. Boil until the syrup has thickened significantly, enough to coat the back of a spoon, and has become a deep pink color. Strain the simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer, then cool it completely before using. Store any extra syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.
Directions:
In a co*cktail shaker, combine the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup, then shake well with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a piece of starfruit (or other over-the-top tropical fruit of your choice).
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Virgo's Rosemary Grapefruit Old Fashioned
August 23 - September 22
Virgo, you know that beauty lies in the details, just like in this very classic co*cktail. Fragrant rosemary and bitter grapefruit echo your grounded personality and reinforce your ties to the Earth.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Gold Rum
- 0.5 oz rosemary simple syrup
- Several pieces of grapefruit peel
- Grapefruit slice for garnish
- Sprig of rosemary for garnish
For the Rosemary Simple Syrup:
Combine several sprigs of fresh rosemary with one cup of granulated white sugar and one cup of water. Boil until the syrup has thickened significantly, enough to coat the back of a spoon, and has become a pale green color. Strain the simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer, then cool it completely before using. Store any extra syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.
Directions:
In a co*cktail stirring glass, combine the rum and simple syrup. Squeeze the grapefruit peel gently over the stirring glass to add the fragrant oils from the peel into the co*cktail. Stir well with ice, then strain into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass with several large ice cubes. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and an additional sprig of rosemary.
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Libra's Pineapple Rum Sunrise
September 23 - October 23
Libra, you find peace through balance and harmony. This chic layered drink pays homage to your love of symmetry and to your excellent aesthetic tastes.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Campari
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1.5 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Dark Rum
- Pineapple slice for garnish
Directions:
Fill a small, sturdy wine glass with ice. Add the Campari on the bottom, then the pineapple juice, then the dark rum, allowing each layer to mix slightly but not completely. Garnish with a pineapple slice.
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Scorpio's Passionfruit Ginger Rum Fizz
October 24 - November 21
Scorpio, you're known for your passion and beguiling ways. This zippy passionfruit and ginger co*cktail pays homage to your mysterious, intimate, spicy personality.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Kōloa Kaua’i White Rum
- Pulp from one passionfruit
- Several pieces of crystallized ginger, finely diced
- 3-4 oz low-sugar ginger beer
- Sprig of mint for garnish
Directions:
In a co*cktail shaker, combine the rum, passionfruit pulp, and diced crystallized ginger, then shake very vigorously with ice to force the passionfruit pulp to separate from the seeds. Add crushed ice to a tall, narrow glass and pour in ginger beer to fill it halfway. Double strain the rum mixture to fill the glass, then garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
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Sagittarius' Cacao-Chai Boozy Iced Coffee
November 22 - December 21
Sagittarius, you were born to explore, wander, and seek adventure. The exotic flavors in this drink speak to your fiery spirit, intensity, and desire to roam, while the coffee gives you energy.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz cold brew coffee
- 2 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Cacao Rum
- 1 oz chai simple syrup
- Several pieces of orange peel
- Orange slices for garnish
For the Chai Simple Syrup:
Combine several spoonfuls of loose-leaf chai tea mix with one cup of granulated white sugar and one cup of water. Boil until the syrup has thickened significantly, enough to coat the back of a spoon, and has become a deep amber color. Strain the simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer, then cool it completely before using. Store any extra syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.
Directions:
In a co*cktail stirring glass, combine the cold brew, rum, and simple syrup. Squeeze the orange peel gently over the stirring glass to add the fragrant oils from the peel into the co*cktail. Stir well with ice, then strain into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with several orange slices.
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Capricorn's Ginger Coffee Martini
December 22 - January 19
Capricorn, you work so hard at achieving your goals! Unwind at the end of a long day with this simple dessert drink featuring soothing ginger.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Coffee Rum
- 1 oz ginger simple syrup
- Ginger slice for garnish
- Piece of crystallized ginger for garnish
For the Ginger Simple Syrup:
Remove the peel from a piece of ginger root 2-3’’ long, then slice the peeled root into medallions. Combine the sliced ginger with one cup of granulated white sugar and one cup of water. Boil until the syrup has thickened significantly, enough to coat the back of a spoon, and has become a pale gold color. Strain the simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer, then cool it completely before using. Store any extra syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.
Directions:
In a co*cktail stirring glass, combine the rum and simple syrup. Stir well with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a piece of fresh ginger and a piece of crystallized ginger.
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Aquarius' Coconut Citrus Rum Punch
January 20 - February 18
Aquarius, you're open-minded and eccentric, a bit of a rebel at heart. This unconventional citrusy rum punch celebrates your free spirit.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Coconut Rum
- 2 oz fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 0.5 oz Kōloa Kaua’i Dark Rum
- Assorted citrus slices for garnish
Directions:
In a co*cktail shaker, combine the coconut rum and the citrus juices. Shake well with ice, then strain into a small punch bowl filled with ice. Gently float the dark rum on top. Garnish with an abundance of assorted citrus slices.
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Pisces' Tropical Ocean Mojito
February 19 - March 20
Pisces, the ocean is in your soul. This mojito is a bit whimsical and plays to your emotional, sensitive nature while also honoring your intimate connection with the sea.
Ingredients:
- Pinch of blue spirulina
- Barspoon of hot water
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- Several cubes of raw (e.g. Demerara) sugar
- 2 oz. Kōloa Kaua’i Coconut Rum
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- Club soda, to top
- Sprig of mint for garnish
Directions:
In a sturdy highball glass, dissolve the blue spirulina in a dash of hot water and stir well. Add the mint leaves and sugar cubes, and muddle them lightly. Fill the glass with ice, then pour the rum and lime juice over the ice. Fill the glass to the top with club soda and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Ingredient Note:
Blue spirulina is an edible type of algae with a bright blue color and virtually no taste. It also has many health benefits. You can find it at specialty food stores or online. It dissolves best in hot water, so dissolving it first will be more successful than adding it to a co*cktail in its powdered form.
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Cheers!
I hope you've enjoyed these 12 whimsical, tropical zodiac co*cktails. I had such fun working on this project and I bet you'll have just as much fun experimenting with them. Which of these colorful horoscope co*cktails will you try first? Your own? Someone else's? Do you think your co*cktail fits your sign's stereotypical characteristics? What about your own characteristics?
I'm a firm believer that co*cktails should be fun (especially these whimsical horoscope co*cktails!). You won't find any stuffy co*cktail "rules" on this blog. So feel free to experiment with one or several of the zodiac co*cktails above and discover what formats, flavors, glassware, and garnishes you love best. Cheers and happy mixing!
Share It!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
As with all my co*cktail recipes, please enjoy responsibly!
Disclosure: These recipes have been developed through a paid partnership with Koloa Rum. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.
