Recipes Below
Inspired by Nala’s arrival and African-influenced flavors, the Nala Daiquiri is a classic-style cocktail made with spiced rum, lime juice, Amarula cream liqueur, pineapple juice, agave, and saline, served in a coupe with a grapefruit rosette for a creamy, lightly spiced, and seductively sweet finish.
Inspired by Timon and Pumbaa’s carefree “Hakuna Matata” philosophy, this tropical cocktail blends tequila with pineapple and lime juices and melon liqueur to create a laid-back, full-bodied drink that captures the fun, flavor, and “slimy yet satisfying” spirit of life in the Big Bug Valley.
Hakuna Matata in a Glass: Two Tropical Cocktails for The Lion King Fit for Pride Rock
The Lion King is probably Disney's most successful classic animation film, and it probably has Disney's most crushing scene. So, it might arguably be Disney's most drink-worthy movie as well. It will make you sing and dance and cry and then sing and dance and then taste the victory of sweet revenge. Mufasa (James Earl Jones) is the king of the Pride Land and with his aide Zazu (Rowan Atkinson, Jeff Bennett) they try to prepare Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jason Weaver) for an eventual future where he will be the King. Simba's shenanigans catch up to him and his guilt, influenced by his uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons, Jim Cummings) drive him to abandon his family and run away. Simba gets as far as the African desert and while drowning in sand and sadness leaves himself to be vulture food.
The laid-back, unconventional team of a meercat and a warthog come to the aid of Simba and teach Simba the ways of living in the African jungle. Thanks to the song-and-dance, and over-all carefree attitude of Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) the entire world knows the phrase "Hakuna Matata" which is the inspiration and name of our first cocktail. "Hakuna Matata" have no worries and most importantly, the ONLY protein source comes from bugs. This called for a tropical drink with laid-back vibes and a spirit that is synonymous with the bug in the bottle (Tequila) even though it is actually its half-sibling (Mezcal). Tequila is combined with Pineapple and Lime Juices; to bring up the tropical 'vibes' and add the lush, green color, this cocktail had Melon Liqueur. The result is full-bodied tropical flavor highlighting the char and bubblegum of the tequila. Slurp it up with the maraschino cherry for a "slimy yet satisfying" "rare delicacies" that Timon and Pumbaa would be happy to serve in the Big Bug Valley.
Life in Big Bug Valley was perfect, until Nala (Moira Kelly, Sally Dworsky) showed up as Timon sings in Can You Feel The Love Tonight, "Disaster's in the Air". Nala's beautiful coat and some delicious African flavors have inspired our "Nala Daiquiri". Made in a classic daiquiri fashion, by combining spiced rum for sweetness and warming spices, Lime Juice, Amarula Citrus Cream Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, Agave and a touch of saline for a creamy, lightly spiced and gently citrusy cocktail. We serve it in a coupe with a grapefruit rosette to give it a two-toned and seductively sweet finish just like Nala. Seductively sweet enough to convince the now, older Simba (Matthew Broderick, Joseph Williams) to face his guilt, pain and return to Pride Rock to confront his uncle Scar to take his place as the King.
The heart-pulling story line is one part of the success for this film, but the music, written by Hans Zimmer and original songs by Elton John and Tim Rice are what turned this classic animation film into a multi-billion dollar franchise of over thirty years. With animated sequels "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" (1998), "The Lion King 1 ½" (2004) and then the photo realistic computer animated "The Lion King" (2019) and "Mufasa: The Lion King" (2024) the singing, dancing and cocktail making can continue on too. Try "Nala's Daiquri" next time you want to feel the love or the "Hakuna Matata" to feel no worries while you watch The Lion King.
The Lion King (1994). Directed by Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff. Written by Barry Johnson, Andy Gaskill, Kevin Harkey, Tom Sito, Rick Maki, Burny Mattison,
Lorna Cook, Gary Trousdale, Jorgen Klubien, Larry Leker, Ed Gombert, Mark Kausler, Thom Enriquez, Jim Capobianco, Chris Sanders, Jo Ranft & Francis Glebas
Performances by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly, Niketa Calame, Ernie Sabella
Nathan Lane, Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Shoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Jim Cummings, Madge Sinclair
A Walt Disney Feature Animation Production. Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures
Hakuna Matata
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1.5 oz (45mL) Tequila
.5 oz (15mL) Midori
1.5 oz (45mL) Pineapple Juice
.5 oz (15mL) Lime Juice
Dropper Saline
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Combine in a shaker tin 1.5 oz of Tequila, .5 oz of Midori, 1.5 oz of Pineapple Juice, .5 oz lime juice and a dropper of saline. Add ice, cover and shake until chilled, double strain into a rocks glass with large cocktail Ice, and garnish with a Maraschino cherry.
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2 oz (60mL) Distilled or Purified Water
1 Tbsp (15g) Fine Sea Salt
Combine in a jar and shake vigorously. Once salt is dissolved, pour into a dropper bottle.
Cocktail recipes and instruction videos are created by Boozy Movies, LLC
Nala Daiquiri
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2 oz (60mL) Spiced Rum
.5 oz (15mL) Lime Juice
1 oz (30mL) Amarula
.5 oz (15mL) Pineapple Juice
.5 oz (15mL) Agave
Dropper Saline
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Combine in a mixing tin, 2 oz Spiced rum, 1 oz Amarula, .5 oz pineapple juice, .5 oz Lime Juice, .25 oz Agave, and a dropper of saline. Add ice, cover and shake it through the Circle of Life chorus. Double strain into chilled coupe and garnish with the grapefruit rosette.
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