Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Bourbon Whiskey
- 3 oz Cola
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 2 oz Orange Juice
- Ice
Yellow Band
- 2 oz Lemonade
- 2 oz Orange Juice
- Ice
Instructions
1st Layer
- Estimated Minutes to Make: Under 3 Minutes
- In a blender with ice add Bourbon, Coke, Lemon Juice and Orange Juice. Blend until smooth.
- Fill 1/2 your glass and put the other 1/2 to the side.
Middle
- Estimated Minutes to Make: Under 3 Minutes
- Blend Lemonade, orange juice and Ice until smooth
- Pour into middle of your glass and top with 1st layer.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
You won't find the Umbreon Pokemon Cocktail in any dusty old bar manuals. This drink is a modern creation, likely born in the digital age, a nod to pop culture rather than pre-Prohibition speakeasies. Its exact origin is murky, probably emerging from home bartenders or themed events, not a single named inventor.
Categorically, this falls into the blended, layered, novelty drink family. It's more of a dessert cocktail or a fun party starter than a serious classic. Think of it as a distant cousin to a frozen margarita, but with bourbon and a distinct color scheme, designed for visual appeal and a sugary punch.
This is the kind of drink you serve at a themed party, a summer BBQ, or when you just want to surprise someone with something unexpected and visually striking. It's not for a quiet evening at a dimly lit bar, but for a crowd that's ready to have some fun and doesn't mind a bit of a sugar rush.
What it tastes like
The flavor profile is a sweet and tangy explosion. Bourbon provides the boozy backbone, but it's largely softened by the generous pour of cola, lemon, and orange juices. The second layer, with lemonade and orange, doubles down on the citrus brightness, making for a refreshing, almost sorbet-like experience that masks the alcohol surprisingly well.
With 1.5 oz of bourbon in a total liquid volume of about 11.5 oz, this drink lands around 5.2% ABV. That's roughly the same kick as your average session beer. It might taste like a sugary fruit drink, but it will catch up to you if you're not paying attention. Treat it with respect, like any good bartender would.
The technique
Building the Umbreon Pokemon Cocktail involves two separate blending steps and careful layering. First, blend the bourbon, cola, lemon juice, and orange juice with ice until smooth. Fill half your chosen glass with this dark blend. Then, blend the lemonade, orange juice, and more ice for the 'yellow band'. Carefully pour this yellow layer into the middle of the glass, creating a distinct separation. Finally, top it off with the remaining dark blend.
The key here is getting both blends truly smooth and frosty. Don't skimp on the ice, and really let that blender do its work. When layering, pour the yellow band slowly over the back of a spoon to keep the layers clean and prevent them from mixing too much. Presentation is half the battle with a drink like this.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Bourbon Whiskey
- Use
- A solid, mid-range bourbon. Something like Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, or Wild Turkey 101 works well. You want character without breaking the bank.
- Skip
- Anything too delicate or overly expensive. Its nuances will get lost in the cola and fruit. Also, avoid anything too harsh or cheap; it will stick out.
- Why
- Bourbon provides the necessary warmth and depth, cutting through the sweetness of the fruit and cola. It's the anchor that keeps this drink from becoming just a boozy slushie.
Orange Juice
- Use
- Freshly squeezed orange juice, or a good quality, pulp-free bottled juice. Its brightness is essential.
- Skip
- Orange juice concentrate or anything with added sugars or artificial flavors. It will make the drink cloyingly sweet and flat.
- Why
- Orange juice delivers a crucial layer of sweetness and a vibrant citrus note, contributing to both the flavor profile and the visual appeal of the drink's distinct layers.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Shiny Umbreon
- A lighter, brighter take
- Swap the cola for a clear lemon-lime soda or ginger ale in the first blend. This keeps the dark layer, but makes it less heavy and more effervescent.
Eevee's Evolution
- Change the spirit
- Try a dark rum or even a spiced rum instead of bourbon for a different, more tropical kick. Adjust the cola if the rum is particularly sweet.
Dark Type Delight
- Add a berry twist
- Muddle a few blackberries or add a splash of blackberry liqueur to the first bourbon blend. This deepens the color and adds a dark fruit complexity.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a dark rum or even a whiskey blend. It won't be quite the same, but it'll still deliver a boozy base.
Root beer or Dr. Pepper can work in a pinch for that dark, sweet, fizzy element. Or try a dark cherry soda.
You can make your own by combining fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and water. Adjust to taste.
This one's tough without a blender for the slushie texture. You could try shaking the ingredients with crushed ice and serving over more crushed ice, but it won't be smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Umbreon Pokemon Cocktail?
The Umbreon Pokemon Cocktail contains bourbon whiskey, cola, lemon juice, orange juice, lemonade, and ice, blended into distinct layers.
Is the Umbreon Pokemon Cocktail very sweet?
Yes, it's definitely on the sweeter side, thanks to the cola, orange juice, and lemonade. The bourbon adds a balancing warmth, but expect a sugary treat.
What kind of glass should I use for an Umbreon Pokemon Cocktail?
A tall glass, like a Collins glass or a hurricane glass, works best to show off the distinct layers and accommodate the generous volume.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Absolutely. Skip the bourbon, and blend the cola, lemon, and orange juices. For the yellow layer, use lemonade and orange juice. It's a fun mocktail.
How do I get the layers to stay separate?
The key is to make sure each blend is thick and slushy, and to pour the second (yellow) layer slowly over the back of a spoon directly onto the first layer.
Is this a good party drink?
This drink is built for parties. It's visually appealing, tasty, and provides a pleasant buzz without being overly strong. Just make sure you have enough blender power.
What food pairs well with an Umbreon Pokemon Cocktail?
Think casual party food: sliders, tacos, BBQ, or even sweet desserts like fruit tarts or chocolate brownies. Something fun and not too serious.
Can I prepare this in advance?
You can pre-mix the liquid ingredients for each layer, but don't blend them until just before serving. Blended drinks lose their texture quickly.
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