Calories:~350
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:~40g
Alcohol:~22%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
The Category 5 cocktail is a powerhouse of flavors, named after the most intense type of hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It's a favorite among those who enjoy a strong, tropical drink with a kick. The cocktail's origins are a bit murky, but it's believed to have been inspired by the vibrant culture and festive spirit of the Caribbean.
The Category 5 cocktail is a symphony of sweet and fruity flavors with a robust alcoholic backbone. It's sweet from the grenadine and the fruit juices, with a tangy edge from the sour mix. The blend of light, spiced, and dark rums gives it a complex, rich flavor that's both warming and invigorating.
The dazzling red of grenadine syrup not only adds a pop of color but a gentle sweet base. It's like the bass guitarist of the band – often understated but without it, you'd miss that depth of flavor. No grenadine? Your cocktail might end up like a solo without a backtrack—missing its sweet harmony.
Freshly squeezed orange juice is the zesty lead singer, giving that citrus punch. It brightens the drink and provides a refreshing high note. Too little and the drink falls flat, too much and it overpowers the intricate melody of rums.
This tropical gem adds the perfect backup vocals with its sweet and tangy profile. It marries well with the rums for a harmonious tropical experience. Omit it, and the cocktail loses its holiday vibe.
The light rum is the smooth rhythm guitar, not too heavy but crucial for the foundational beat. It gives the cocktail its boozy lift without overpowering the other elements.
Adding complexity with its warm and spicy notes, it's the keyboard player adding layers and texture to the sound.
The dark rum is the deep drum roll in the chorus, giving the drink its full-bodied richness and deeper alcohol warmth.
Consider this the surprise saxophone solo - peach liqueur adds a fruity and sweet twist that makes you go 'wow'. Skip it, and you'll miss out on that unexpected hit that makes the song a hit.
This mix is like the sound technician adjusting the treble and bass, essential for balancing the sweet and citrus, ensuring the drink isn't too sugary or too tart.
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Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingIf you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
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Yes, you can create a mocktail version by substituting the rums with non-alcoholic rum-flavored syrups or simply omitting the alcohol and increasing the amounts of juices and grenadine.
Crushed ice is typically used for tropical drinks like the Category 5 to create a chilled and refreshing texture, but you can also use cubes if preferred.
Yes, you can mix all the ingredients in larger quantities beforehand, except for the ice. When ready to serve, shake individual portions with ice and serve.
Grilled seafood, tropical salads, or light appetizers such as coconut shrimp and fruit skewers complement the tropical flavors of this cocktail.
You can garnish it with an orange slice, a cherry, and optionally a cocktail umbrella to enhance its tropical presentation.
The Rum Runner is a sweet and fruity cocktail with a hint of tartness. Its flavors are a harmonious blend of tropical fruits, with the rum providing a smooth and warming backbone. The drink is both refreshing and satisfying, making it perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.
The Barbados Punch is a sweet, fruity, and refreshing cocktail with a hint of tartness. The combination of rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine creates a tropical flavor explosion, while the lime juice adds a zesty twist. The overall taste is well-balanced, making it a perfect drink for warm weather or to transport you to a Caribbean paradise.
The Florida cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. It has a refreshing citrus taste with a hint of tartness from the grapefruit, balanced by the sweetness of the orange juice and grenadine. The rum adds a smooth, warming sensation, making it a perfect drink for both hot summer days and cool evenings.
The Shark Bite cocktail offers a delightful combination of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The orange and pineapple juices provide a tropical sweetness, while the sour mix adds a tangy twist. The blue curaçao gives the drink its signature ocean blue color and a hint of citrus, while the spiced rum adds warmth and depth.
The Cable Car cocktail offers a delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors, with a hint of spice from the cinnamon garnish. The drink is smooth, refreshing, and moderately strong, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a well-rounded cocktail experience.
This Thai Tea cocktail has a unique, sweet, and creamy taste with a hint of spiciness from the spices. The strong tea flavor is balanced by the sweetness of the condensed milk and the smoothness of the alcohol, making it a delightful and refreshing drink.
The Blue Hawaii cocktail has a refreshing, sweet, and slightly tangy taste. The combination of pineapple juice, sweet and sour mix, and Blue Curaçao creates a fruity and tropical flavor profile, while the vodka and light rum add a subtle kick.
The Hawaiian Iced Tea has a sweet and tangy taste, with a hint of tropical fruitiness. The combination of various spirits gives it a strong, yet well-balanced flavor. The addition of pineapple juice adds a refreshing and exotic touch.
The Purple People Eater cocktail is a delightful mix of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The combination of blue curaçao, grenadine, and cranberry juice creates a vibrant purple hue, while the vodka and sweet and sour mix add a refreshing kick. The overall taste is well-balanced, with a slight tanginess and a smooth, fruity finish.
The Bermuda Rum Swizzle has a well-balanced, fruity, and refreshing taste. It is sweet and tangy with a hint of spice, and has a smooth, medium-bodied texture. The combination of rum, fruit juices, and bitters creates a complex and satisfying flavor profile.
The Lava Flow cocktail is a delicious combination of sweet, fruity, and creamy flavors. The drink is rich and velvety, with a hint of tanginess from the pineapple and a subtle coconut undertone. The strawberry puree adds a touch of tartness and a beautiful contrast in both taste and appearance.
The Bali Hai cocktail is a sweet and fruity drink with a hint of tartness. It has a tropical flavor profile, with notes of pineapple, coconut, and citrus. The drink is well-balanced, with the sweetness of the fruit juices being offset by the tanginess of the lime and the slight bitterness of the rum.
The Fuzzy Navel is a sweet, fruity, and refreshing cocktail. It has a bright citrus taste from the orange juice, combined with the smooth and sweet flavor of peach schnapps. The drink is light and easy to sip, making it perfect for warm weather or a relaxing evening.
The Sex on the Beach cocktail is a fruity, sweet, and refreshing drink with a hint of tartness. The combination of orange and cranberry juices creates a vibrant and tangy flavor, while the peach schnapps adds a touch of sweetness. The vodka provides a subtle kick, making this cocktail a perfect balance of flavors.
The Blushing Bride cocktail is a delightful balance of sweet and sour. The raspberry mix adds a fruity sweetness, which is perfectly balanced by the tartness of the sweet & sour mix. The vodka gives it a bit of a kick, while the champagne or prosecco adds a bubbly, festive touch.
Planter's Punch is a fruity, refreshing, and well-balanced cocktail. It has a sweet and tangy taste, with a hint of sourness from the citrus. The rum adds a warming, slightly spicy kick, while the grenadine provides a touch of sweetness.
The Painkiller cocktail is a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. The combination of pineapple and orange juices creates a fruity base, while the coconut cream adds a rich, creamy sweetness. The dark rum provides a strong, warming backbone, and the freshly grated nutmeg on top adds a subtle hint of spice.
The Singapore Sling has a complex, fruity taste with a balance of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. It is refreshing, tangy, and slightly effervescent, with a hint of herbal undertones.
The Dark 'N' Stormy has a bold, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. The rich, dark rum provides a strong base, while the ginger beer adds a refreshing, zesty kick. The lime juice adds a touch of tartness to balance out the sweetness.
Bumbo has a sweet and spicy taste, with a hint of warmth from the rum. It is smooth and rich, with a velvety texture and a lingering finish.
The Chicago Fizz is a complex and well-balanced cocktail with a sweet, fruity, and slightly sour taste. It has a rich, velvety texture and a subtle, warming finish from the dark rum and port.
The Tequila Sunrise has a sweet and fruity taste, with a hint of sourness from the orange juice and grenadine. The tequila adds a subtle warmth and depth to the flavor, making it a well-balanced and satisfying drink.
The Pink Lady has a delicate, fruity, and slightly sweet taste with a hint of tartness. The gin provides a subtle, herbal undertone, while the grenadine and egg white create a smooth, velvety texture.
The Jack Rose cocktail is a delightful combination of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The apple brandy provides a rich, smooth base, while the lemon juice adds a refreshing tanginess. The grenadine imparts a subtle sweetness and a beautiful rosy hue.
The Harvey Wallbanger has a sweet and fruity taste, with a hint of herbal bitterness from the Galliano. The orange juice adds a refreshing citrus flavor, while the vodka provides a smooth and subtle kick.
The Screwdriver cocktail offers a bright, citrusy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. The smoothness of the vodka is complemented by the tangy and refreshing taste of the orange juice, making it a well-balanced and easy-to-drink cocktail.
The Mimosa has a refreshing, light, and fruity taste. It is slightly sweet with a hint of tartness from the orange juice, and the sparkling wine adds a bubbly effervescence.
The Long Island Iced Tea is a complex blend of flavors, combining the sweetness of cola and sour mix with the boldness of multiple spirits. It is a strong, yet surprisingly smooth cocktail with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
The Caipirinha has a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet taste. The combination of lime and sugar provides a perfect balance of sour and sweet, while the cachaça adds a unique, earthy flavor. The drink is strong, yet smooth and easy to sip.
The Sidecar is a delightful mix of sour, sweet, and strong flavors. The combination of cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice creates a smooth and refreshing taste, with a hint of warmth from the cognac.
The Piña Colada is a sweet, creamy, and fruity cocktail with a smooth texture. The flavors of pineapple and coconut blend harmoniously, creating a tropical taste sensation. The rum adds a subtle warmth and depth to the drink.
The Mai Tai has a balanced, sweet, and tangy taste with a hint of almond from the orgeat syrup. The combination of light and dark rums gives it a rich and complex flavor, while the lime juice adds a refreshing citrus note.
Rum Punch is a refreshing and fruity cocktail with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and strong flavors. The taste is a delightful combination of tangy citrus, sweet tropical fruits, and the warmth of spiced rum.
