Ingredients
- 1 Apple
- 0.5 oz Lime Juice
- 1 oz White Rum
- 6-10 Mint Leaves
- Soda Water
- Crushed Ice
- 1/4 tsp Sugar
- 2.5 oz Apple Juice
Instructions
- Muddle mint with sugar in the bottom of a glass
- Muddle mint with sugar in the bottom of a glass.
- Add apple juice, rum and lime juice. Stir. Add ice.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with apple peel or slice, fresh mint, and a lime wedge
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This isn't one you'll find in any dusty cocktail manuals. The Bulbasaur Pokemon Cocktail is a modern creation, clearly inspired by the popular video game franchise. It's a fun, themed drink that probably popped up in home bars and themed pop-ups before hitting any serious menus. No clean attribution here, just internet creativity.
Think of it as a Mojito's fruitier, less boozy cousin, leaning heavily into apple. It shares that muddled mint and soda water base, but swaps out the traditional lime dominance for a sweet apple juice profile. It's a highball, a long drink designed for easy sipping.
You're not ordering this one at a classic speakeasy. This is a backyard BBQ, a themed party, or a chill night in with friends. It's a good choice for someone who wants something refreshing and playful without getting too serious about their spirits.
What it tastes like
You're getting a bright, sweet apple hit right up front, balanced by the tartness of fresh lime. The muddled mint adds a cool, herbaceous backbone, cutting through the sweetness and keeping things fresh. The white rum is there, a subtle whisper rather than a shout, providing a clean alcoholic lift without dominating the fruit. It's a lively, refreshing mix.
With one ounce of rum in a tall glass, this drink lands somewhere in the 5-7% ABV range, depending on how much soda water you pour. That puts it right on par with a standard session beer, maybe a little stronger than a light lager. It's a long, easy sipper that won't knock you off your feet too quickly.
The technique
This is a build-in-glass job, simple enough for anyone. Grab a sturdy highball glass. Muddle the mint and sugar first to get those oils out. Then pour in your apple juice, rum, and lime. Give it a good stir to mix everything before you load it up with crushed ice. Finish with soda water, then a final gentle stir to integrate.
Don't over-muddle that mint. Just a few gentle presses with your muddler will release the oils without tearing the leaves into tiny bits. You want fresh mint flavor, not a leafy sludge at the bottom of your glass.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
White Rum
- Use
- A clean, unaged white rum. Bacardi Superior, Plantation 3 Stars, or even a local craft white rum works well. You want something light that won't fight the fruit.
- Skip
- Dark rum, aged rum, or anything with strong molasses notes. Those will clash with the apple and mint. Spiced rum is a hard pass.
- Why
- It's the engine but not the star. White rum provides the alcoholic base without adding too much flavor complexity, letting the apple and mint shine.
Fresh Mint
- Use
- Spearmint or peppermint, fresh and vibrant. Look for bright green leaves without any wilting or brown spots.
- Skip
- Dried mint, mint extract, or anything that isn't fresh. It won't give you the same bright, aromatic punch.
- Why
- Mint isn't just a garnish here, it's a core flavor component. Muddling it releases essential oils that provide a refreshing, herbaceous counterpoint to the sweetness.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Bulbasaur's Bloom
- Add a floral note
- Introduce a splash of elderflower liqueur or a few drops of rose water to give it an extra layer of botanical sweetness.
Ivysaur's Bite
- Make it tart
- Increase the lime juice to 0.75 oz and consider a drier apple juice or a splash of green apple schnapps for a sharper edge.
Venusaur's Punch
- Boost the booze
- Swap the white rum for a blanco tequila or a gin with a strong citrus profile for a more assertive spirit base.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Pear juice or white grape juice. You'll lose the specific apple profile, but keep the sweet, light fruit base.
Vodka or silver tequila. Vodka is neutral, tequila will add a different, but still complementary, character.
A few slices of cucumber for a fresh, vegetal note, or a dash of Angostura bitters for a different kind of complexity.
Standard ice cubes. Just make sure to fill the glass well for proper chilling and dilution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Bulbasaur Pokemon Cocktail?
It contains apple juice, white rum, lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, and is topped with soda water.
Is the Bulbasaur Pokemon Cocktail sweet?
Yes, it leans sweet due to the apple juice and added sugar, but the lime and mint keep it from being cloying.
What kind of rum should I use for a Bulbasaur Pokemon Cocktail?
A light, unaged white rum is best. It provides a clean alcohol base without overpowering the fruit and mint.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Bulbasaur Pokemon Cocktail?
Absolutely. Just skip the white rum and add a bit more apple juice or soda water to maintain the volume.
What glass should I use for a Bulbasaur Pokemon Cocktail?
A tall highball glass is the standard choice. It's built to hold plenty of ice and soda for a refreshing long drink.
Is this a strong drink?
No, it's a relatively light highball, similar in strength to a standard beer. It's designed for easy, refreshing sipping.
Why is it called a Bulbasaur Pokemon Cocktail?
The name is a playful nod to the popular Pokemon character, likely referencing its green color and fresh, plant-like ingredients.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
Fresh lime juice is always the move for the best flavor. Bottled can work in a pinch, but you'll notice the difference.
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