Paniolo Pineapple Bourbon Cocktail

A Paniolo Pineapple Bourbon Cocktail is a bourbon-based drink infused with pineapple, citrus, and warm sugar notes for a bold, balanced sip.

That’s exactly what the Paniolo Pineapple delivers. This is our cowboy cocktail. Smoky. Smooth. Confident. Built for slow sipping and long conversations.

At Maui Cocktail Kits, we created this bourbon cocktail to feel grounded and unapologetic. It draws from fire-roasted fruit, raw cane sugar, and a touch of bitters. Nothing flashy. Just depth, warmth, and balance.

What is the Paniolo Pineapple Pineapple bourbon cocktail?

The Paniolo Pineapple is a DIY cocktail infusion designed to pair perfectly with bourbon. It also works with gold sipping rum, but bourbon is where it shines.

This infusion includes: fire-roasted pineapple, orange, turbinado cane sugar and bitters.

The result is rich and layered. You taste smoke first. Then fruit. Then warmth. The finish stays smooth and dry.

This cocktail does not need mixers. It stands on its own.

Why is it called Paniolo Pineapple?

Paniolo is the Hawaiian word for cowboy. The name traces back to the 1800s, when King Kamehameha III brought Mexican-Spanish vaqueros to Hawaiʻi to teach cattle herding. Hawaiians heard “Espanoles” and pronounced it as “Paniolo.”

Paniolos were skilled. Tough. Practical. They respected land, animals, and craft. This pineapple bourbon cocktail follows the same idea. Simple ingredients. Strong character. No excess.

What flavors define this pineapple bourbon cocktail?

This cocktail builds depth through contrast.

Fire-roasted pineapple adds smoky sweetness.
Orange lifts the mid-palate.
Turbinado cane sugar brings warmth, not syrup.
Bitters anchor the finish.

Together, they balance bourbon’s natural oak and vanilla notes. Nothing overwhelms. Each sip stays composed.

This is not a sugary pineapple drink. It’s structured. Dry-leaning. Intentional.

How do you make the Paniolo Pineapple cocktail?

The process is easy. No tools. No guesswork.

Instructions:

Add 16–20 oz of bourbon to the infusion package
Seal and refrigerate
Infuse for 1–3 days
Gently shake once a day
Pour and enjoy

That’s it.

Longer infusions deepen flavor. The pineapple continues to soften. The bourbon grows rounder with time.

Why is this bourbon pineapple cocktail best sipped neat?

Most pineapple cocktails rely on juice or soda. This one doesn’t need either.

The infusion already balances sweetness, bitterness, and smoke. When you serve it neat or over ice, the bourbon stays front and center.

This is a sipping cocktail. A slow drink. One you return to.

How should you serve the Paniolo Pineapple cocktail?

Here’s our favorite method. Simple. Clean. Proven.

Simple Cocktail (Our Go-To Serve)

2 oz Paniolo Pineapple–infused bourbon

Large ice cube or ice sphere

Splash of water

Pour. Pause. Sip.

We recommend Bulleit Bourbon for its spice and structure, but any quality bourbon works.

Should you strain the fruit out?

Not with this one.

The Paniolo Pineapple is the only infusion we recommend leaving unstrained. The fire-roasted pineapple continues to mellow the bourbon over time. The flavor improves. The edges soften.

Just keep it chilled.

What type of bourbon works best for a tropical cocktail?

Choose a bourbon with body and spice.

Good options include:

Bulleit
Four Roses
Buffalo Trace
Wild Turkey 101
Maker’s Mark

Avoid very sweet or flavored bourbons. Let the infusion do the work.

You can also use a gold sipping rum for a softer profile, but bourbon gives this cocktail its backbone.

Who will enjoy the Paniolo Pineapple cocktail?

This cocktail suits a specific palate.

It’s for people who enjoy, Old Fashioneds, neat pours, low-sugar drinks, spirit-forward cocktails or thoughtful flavors.

It’s also a strong gift choice. Especially for bourbon fans, grill masters, or anyone who appreciates craft over flash.

What makes this cocktail different from other bourbon cocktails?

Most of our cocktail kits chase sweetness. This one chases balance.

Here’s what sets the Paniolo Pineapple cocktail apart:

Fire-roasted fruit, not dried candy.

Raw cane sugar, not syrups.

Bitters for structure.

Designed for bourbon first.

No mixers required.

Improves with time.

This cocktail respects the spirit. It enhances instead of masking.

Is this a good introduction to DIY cocktail infusions?

Yes. Very.

This infusion kit works well for beginners because it’s forgiving, doesn’t require straining, doesn’t need mixers, it pairs with common bourbons and the flavor is clear and confident.

It also shows what a good infusion should taste like. Clean. Balanced. Purposeful.

FAQs

How strong is a Pineapple Bourbon Cocktail?

It stays close to the original bourbon strength, with a softer finish.

Can I infuse for longer than three days?

Yes. Many people do. Flavor deepens with time.

Do I need to refrigerate a bourbon pineapple cocktail?

Yes. Refrigeration keeps the flavor balanced.

Can I use rye instead of bourbon to mix this cocktail?

You can, but expect more spice and less sweetness.

Does the Paniolo Pineapple kit work as an Old Fashioned base?

Yes. Add a touch of water and express an orange peel.

The Paniolo Pineapple Pineapple Bourbon Cocktail brings together Hawaiian history, fire-roasted fruit, and bourbon tradition in one confident pour. It’s bold. Balanced. And built to be sipped.

That’s the Paniolo way.