Pisang Ambon is a Dutch liqueur produced by Lucas Bols Corporation according to an old Indonesian recipe since 1948. The drink has a bright banana aroma and taste, and nuances of tropical fruits and herbs are also felt in the bouquet. The color of the liquor is bright green (due to dyes). Pisang is translated from Indonesian as “banana”, and Ambon is the name of the capital of one of the Indonesian provinces, the former Dutch colony. The strength of the drink is 20%.
Views:
- green banana. A classic recipe based on green bananas.
- Guarana Lime. Made with guarana and lime.
- Ice Mint. The bouquet is dominated by notes of mint and vanilla.
- Pisang Colada. Ready-to-drink smoothie with green banana and coconut flavor.
Green banana liqueurs similar to Pisan Ambon are available from other brands such as Volare, De Kuyper and Joseph Cartron. Usually the name contains the word “Pisang”. They can be used instead of the “original” in cocktails.
How to drink Pisan Ambon
Liquor can be drunk neat with ice or diluted to taste with any citrus juice or lemonade.
Cocktails with Pisan Ambon liqueur
1. Green Mexican. The cocktail was invented in Kiev in 1996. Recipe: pour Pisan Ambon on the bottom of a glass (shot), put a layer of lemon juice (10 ml) on top, the third layer is silver tequila (25 ml). Drink in one gulp.
2. Blue temptation (Blue temptation). Mix Pisan Ambon, vodka and Blue Curaçao in equal proportions in a shaker with ice, serve with a cocktail cherry and a mint leaf.
3. Magic Star (Magic star). One part cream, kiwi liqueur, one and a half parts Pisan Ambon and cocoa liqueur, 2 drops of grenadine. Mix everything in a shaker with ice cubes.
4. Green Tea Martini (Green Tea Martini). One part mint liqueur, green banana syrup, Pisan Ambon, 4 parts each apple juice and herb flavored vodka. Mix everything in a shaker with ice cubes.
5. Kryptonite (Kryptonite). 1 part tangerine liqueur, 2 parts Pisan Ambon, 2 parts vodka, 6 parts pineapple juice. Mix everything in a shaker with ice cubes.
6. Abstinthe without leave (Absinthe without a break). Pour equal parts of absinthe, cream liqueur and Pisan Ambon in successive layers into a shot glass. Drink in one gulp.
7. Green Cow (Green cow). Mix equal parts Pisan Ambon and milk. Serve in an old fashioned glass. You can add ice cubes to the cocktail.
Other banana liqueurs
Banana liqueurs (including Pisan Ambon) are alcoholic tinctures on fruits and herbs with the addition of sugar and/or essences, distillates, flavorings.
Some manufacturers make their products cloyingly sweet, others endow them with a drier profile, in bouquets the banana flavor is often set off by cream and vanilla.
Notable banana flavored liqueurs:
- Giffard Banana Cream, 25%.
- Bowls Banana Liqueur, 17%.
- Jacquin’s Nirvana Banana Liqueur, 50%.
- Monin Banana Cream Liqueur, 20%.
- De Kuyper Cream of Bananas, 15%.