Scorpion Bowl

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 12/3/21
Scorpion Bowl Cocktail

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 cups

The scorpion bowl is a fun tiki cocktail designed to be enjoyed with a few good friends. It's a fruity rum punch that's customarily served in a special punch bowl which is also called a scorpion bowl. In the center is a volcano-shaped reservoir where you can pour overproof rum and set it on fire. Once the drink is ready, everyone gets their own straw and enjoys the punch together.

There are many scorpion bowl drink recipes, as well as the original scorpion cocktail. They vary greatly but all tend to have rum, orange and lemon juices, and orgeat syrup in common. Some include brandy, gin, or vodka as well. Typically, the liquid mixture is blended with a little bit of ice to create a slushy punch. That is then poured over large ice cubes in the scorpion bowl and it's garnished with lots of fruit.

What many of the recipes lack is fresh ingredients, which is a shame considering you're already using a blender and featuring the taste of tropical fruits. This particular recipe takes a different approach and adds fresh pineapple and mango to the blender. It gives the punch a lively, fresh twist that everyone who sits down at the table is sure to enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ice

  • 1 cup cubed pineapple

  • 1 mango, cubed

  • 8 ounces aged rum

  • 2 ounces brandy

  • 3 ounces orgeat syrup

  • 6 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

  • 1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1 1/2 ounces 151-proof rum, optional

  • Citrus slices, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to Make Scorpion Bowl

    S&C Design Studios

  2. Add the ice, pineapple, and mango to a blender. Pulse to chop up the mix.

    Mango, Pineapple, and Ice for a Scorpion Bowl
    S&C Design Studios

  3. Add the rum, brandy, orgeat syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.

    Rum and Juices for a Scorpion Bowl
    S&C Design Studios

  4. In a scorpion bowl, pour the blended mixture over large pieces of ice.

    Pour Punch in Scorpion Bowl

    S&C Design Studios

  5. Fill the reservoir in the middle of the bowl with 151-proof rum. Add fruit garnishes. Using a long lighter, light the rum on fire.

    Lighting Scorpion Bowl on Fire

    S&C Design Studios

  6. Extinguish the flame and add four long straws. Serve and enjoy.

    Scorpion Bowl

    S&C Design Studios

Tips

  • Always extinguish the flames before drinking.
  • Keep all flammables away from the volcano (including paper umbrellas).
  • Don't reach or lean over the bowl. Depending on the ambient light in the room, the alcohol flame can be nearly invisible and it's easy to forget that it's still on fire.
  • Fresh-squeezed citrus juices are going to create a better scorpion bowl. One orange will yield between 2 and 3 ounces of juice, so a few fruits should be enough. For the lemon, simply squeeze two halves directly into the blender.

Recipe Variations

  • You can serve the scorpion bowl in a regular small punch bowl and skip the flaming rum.
  • It's also fun to serve in individual tiki mugs or cups. Fill each with ice, pour the mixture to fill, then garnish.
  • A hollowed out half of a lime works as a reservoir alternative in both bowls and cups that don't have the built-in volcano. The trick is to balance it on a bed of ice so it rests securely and won't spill.
  • To make a slightly sweeter and pink punch, add 1 ounce of grenadine to the blender. It can also be used as a substitute for the orgeat, though 2 ounces should be enough.
  • Add 2 ounces of vodka or gin, or use either as a substitute for the brandy.
  • Use whatever tropical fruit is in season as a substitute for the mango. Passion fruit, papaya, and even a banana can add a fun twist of flavor.

How Strong Is a Scorpion Bowl?

A lot of factors can change the alcohol content of the scorpion bowl. Generally, however, it's a pretty mild punch. When made with 80-proof rum and brandy, it should weigh in somewhere around 12 percent ABV (24 proof), or about the same as a glass of wine. That's assuming you don't drink what's left of the 151 rum, of course.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
349 Calories
1g Fat
48g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 349
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 23mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 17%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 35g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 108mg 542%
Calcium 42mg 3%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 430mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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