What ingredients are in a Barracuda?

4.5 cl Rum, 1.5 cl Galliano, 6 cl Pineapple juice, 1 dash Lime juice, top up Prosecco

What glass do you use for a Barracuda?

A Barracuda is traditionally served in a Margarita glass.

How strong is a Barracuda?

A Barracuda has an estimated ABV of 14.97%.

How many calories are in a Barracuda?

A Barracuda contains approximately 188 calories per serving.

What are the ingredients in a Barracuda cocktail?

The IBA-recognised Barracuda is made with aged rum, Galliano (an Italian herbal liqueur), pineapple juice, and a splash of Prosecco. The recipe calls for 4.5 cl rum, 1.5 cl Galliano, 6 cl pineapple juice, and a dash of lime juice, topped with Prosecco. Galliano's vanilla-anise character is the cocktail's signature note.

How is the Barracuda served and garnished?

The Barracuda is built in a cocktail shaker — rum, Galliano, pineapple juice, and lime are shaken with ice and strained into a chilled cocktail glass. Prosecco is then added as a gentle top to maintain effervescence. The drink is garnished with a slice of pineapple or a maraschino cherry, and sometimes served in a hurricane glass for a more tropical presentation.

What is the history of the Barracuda cocktail?

The Barracuda was created in Italy and is one of the IBA's 'New Era Drinks,' added to the official list in 2011. Its combination of rum and Galliano ties it to the tiki and tropical cocktail tradition while its Prosecco element gives it a European spritz sensibility. The drink reflects the influence of Italian bartending on the international cocktail scene in the early 2000s.

Effervescent and tropical, the Barracuda is recognized by the IBA among its New Era Drinks, pairing rum with the vanilla-anise sweetness of Galliano. Pineapple juice supplies the fruit core, a dash of lime sharpens the edge, and a top of Prosecco lends a sparkling finish. Shaken with ice, strained, and served in a margarita glass at around 15 percent ABV, it balances ripe fruit against the dry lift of sparkling wine. Galliano's herbal sweetness is the distinguishing note, giving the drink a more complex aromatic profile than its tropical companions and setting it apart within the modern IBA canon.

Barracuda

Glass Margarita glass

Difficulty Medium

Calories ~188 kcal

ABV 14.97%

Ingredients

Rum 4.5 cl
Galliano 1.5 cl
Pineapple juice 6 cl
Lime juice 1 dash
Prosecco top up

Instructions

Shake pour ingredients with ice. Strain into glass, top with Sparkling wine.

IBA NewEra

Barracuda is an IBA-recognized New Era Drinks cocktail that pairs rum and Galliano with pineapple juice and a dash of lime, topped with Prosecco for a sparkling, tropical finish. At 14.97% ABV, it strikes a balance between tropical fruit flavors and the effervescence of sparkling wine, with Galliano's distinctive vanilla-anise character adding a unique herbal sweetness. Served in a margarita glass, it is a festive and visually appealing cocktail.

History & Origins

Barracuda was created for the IBA New Era Drinks competition and became an official IBA cocktail, representing the contemporary creative cocktail movement of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The precise origins and creator are part of the broader IBA New Era category history, though the specific invention of this recipe is disputed. Named after the swift ocean predator, it is designed to be a fast, impactful drink.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet pineapple and the distinctive vanilla-anise of Galliano, with Prosecco's light grape and yeast notes. Palate: Tropical pineapple leads, brightened by the lime's tartness; Galliano adds a sweet herbal complexity, and Prosecco provides lively bubbles that carry the flavors. Finish: Clean and effervescent, with a pleasant vanilla and fruit fade.

tropical pineapple vanilla sparkling herbal

Pro Tip

Chill the Prosecco and the margarita glass thoroughly before serving to keep the bubbles active and the drink lively for as long as possible.

Techniques Used

Shaking

Data verified September 2017

Nutrition Facts →

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