Jungle juice is the name given to a improvised mix of liquor that is usually served for group consumption.[1]
Most jungle juice mixtures contain large quantities of hard alcohol mixed with a variety of fruit juices. For example, jungle juice may contain Everclear, rum, gin, tequila, vodka, and whiskey, mixed with orange, grapefruit, grape, apple, pineapple, or other juices for flavor and to stretch the quantity of alcohol. In addition, most jungle juice batches contain chunks of various fruits, such as pineapples, watermelons, or grapes. Another common recipe for large batches mixes Everclear and frozen juice concentrate in a large container, such as a garbage can, diluted with tap water to the desired strength. Jungle juice can also be made with Kool-Aid; this is sometimes called "Hunch Punch." A gin-based drink is the gin bucket, containing gin, fruits, and Fresca and served out of a suitably sized bucket.
Jungle juice is sometimes called spodie (suh-pO-dee) or wop. It is often an inexpensive means of getting many people intoxicated at parties. Every celebrant brings something to contribute to the festivities. Any fruit juice or soda is an acceptable addition to the mix. Fruit-based and neutral alcohols are also good. Brown alcohols, especially whiskey, are not used, as they make the wop unpalatable, nor beer, which creates an unpleasant flavor. The fruit is usually eaten as well, as it will have absorbed considerable alcohol.
Jungle juice is popular on college campuses in the United States. There are numerous recipe variations.[2]
The term has also been used for similar less-than-reputable alcoholic concoctions.[3]
There are several popular explanations regarding the origin of the name. Generally, it is believed that the name originates from the drink's potency, causing an extreme state of inebriation and thus causing the drinker to exhibit animal-like behavior. Alternatively it has been suggested that the pioneers of the drink were soldiers in the military stationed in a jungle, who threw together what alcohol and other drinks they had.[4]
It has been noted that US Marines in the Pacific Theater of WWII coined the term from mixing various alcohols with juice in canteens or other vessels. Namely coconut, pineapple, or any other juice that may have been attained locally or via supply.
Dom's Hunch Punch, Hairy Buffalo, Panty Dropping Punch, and Purple Jesus are other common names for the potent concoction.
An Atlantic Monthly short story described jungle juice as being prepared in the Navy serving in tropical areas by pouring assorted juice concentrates in a jerrycan, diluting that with water, and letting it sit in the sun so the mix would ferment - no additional alcohol was part of the mix, the US Navy being 'dry' at the time.
In Australia jungle juice refers to a cask wine (goon) and vodka based punch, mixed with soft drink and juice concentrate or cordial. Orange or tropical are the most common flavours of jungle juice, however raspberry, lime and sarsaparilla juices have been experimented with. It is commonly made up in eskys or buckets.