Fangtastic.

Donn Beach created many famous Tiki drinks. One of the less common ones is the Cobra’s Fang. This is due to the fact that a proper Fang is made with fassionola syrup. Fassionola is a bright red,sweet syrup made from a mixture of fruit juices and was supposed to be the syrup used in the original Hurricane recipe. Today,only a couple companies make proper fassionola making it difficult to find. Grenadine and even Hawaiian Punch have been used as a substitute,but they are not the same. While researching a posting on fassionola syrup,I came across the Fang and decided it needed its own posting. Here is the classic Don the Beachcomber Cobra’s Fang:

Mix #187 Cobra’s Fang

1.5oz dark Jamaican rum
1/2oz 151 Demerara rum
1/2oz falernum
1/2oz lime juice
1/2oz orange juice
1/2oz fassionola syrup
1 dash absinthe
1 dash Angostura bitters

Flash blend with ice and pour into tall glass. Can also be shaken with ice.

Sweet and berry flavored,similar to a Hurricane but not as sweet. The falernum and absinthe add some spice to give it complexity,and the 151 gives it some punch. Think of this drink as a civilized Hurricane. A nice summer drink with layers of flavor that gives yo a nice buzz without completely slamming you.

Of course,as with most classic Tiki drinks,there have been many riffs made over the years. Here a few I’ve enjoyed.

Mix #188 Mai Kai Cobra Fang

1oz dark Jamaican rum
1oz aged Jamaican rum
3/4oz falernum
1/2oz fassionola syrup
1oz orange juice
3/4oz lime juice
1/4oz grenadine
1/4tsp absinthe*
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Shake with ice and pour into Zombie glass.

*About 20-25 drops.

The Mai Kai’s spin on the classic Cobra’s Fang. It’s less sweet and more citrus-y with a bit less punch. Try both versions and see which you like the best.

Mix #79 Vampire’s Fang

1.5oz Plantation OFTD rum
3/4oz grapefruit juice
1/2oz lime juice
1/2oz grenadine
1/4oz allspice dram
1 dash Angostura bitters

Shake with plenty of ice and pour into snifter glass.

From The Search for Tiki’s 2022 13 Nights of Tiki Frights,it’s citrus-y with a touch of spice. Much less sweet than the classic,it lives up to its namesake thanks to the overproof rum;it will bite you.

Mix #189 Sidewinder’s Fang

1oz dark Jamaican rum
1oz demerara rum
1.5oz lime juice
1.5oz orange juice
1.5oz passionfruit syrup
3oz club soda

Shake everything except soda with ice and pour into large snifter glass. Add soda and stir.

From the former Lanai Restaurant in San Mateo,CA,this was created in the 1960’s. It’s tart and citrus-y with a sweet passionfruit finish. The three ounces of soda water it down a bit,if I were to do it again I would cut it in half. And interesting spin on the classic. If you’re not into sweeter drinks,give it a try.

So enjoy a Fang drink,but don’t put away your bottle of fassionola just yet. I’m working on a full post featuring the scarlet syrup.