Scorpion Bowl Recipe (2024)

My girlfriend taught me the best way to keep the flame going: Just soak a small crouton or piece of toasted bread in 151 and use that as the torch in the lime husk. Burns twice as long and way less likely to spill and create a flaming disaster!

The last time I had a scorpion bowl was sometime in 1972 with friends after work at Yale-New Haven Hospital. I got totally wasted. I think I see from this recipe why that happened. It's meant to be shared! Who knew? We each ordered one for ourselves. I haven't touched a scorpion bowl or anything like it since.

I’m looking via the app, but I do see the tip. To create a flaming lime shell for your scorpion bowl, use a sharp knife to scrape clean the inside of a halved lime, leaving the peel intact. Position the lime hollowed-side up in the volcano of a scorpion bowl. Pour a splash of 151-proof rum inside the lime and carefully light with a long match or wooden skewer (do not use a lighter). Snuff out any flames before consuming.

For our first date, my wife and I went to a movie (Tootsie) and then to a place called Aku Aku in Boston for Scorpion Bowls. Needless to say it ended well. We’ve been married 31 years. I highly recommend them.

Lemon oil works better than 151 for fire garnish! Yellow flame, smells better, and doesn't waste your alcohol.

Another way to "keep the flame going" is to soak a sugar cube in the 151, I did this for a flaming Christmas Pudding (soaking the sugar cube in lemon extract) and almost burned the house down

Whoa this is seriously good! I would say it’s jut like I remember except that scorpion bowls are basically mind erasers. Be sure to invite friends cuz this is too much alcohol for two (unless you are celebrating)

Bacardi 151 was discontinued in the US in 2016. Does anyone know of an equivalent?

It looks pretty, but does the photo really have to feature all those straws? I know that NYTimes cares about the environment; those plastic straws are not necessary. Perhaps the photo could be re-taken.

Lemon oil works better than 151 for fire garnish! Yellow flame, smells better, and doesn't waste your alcohol.

What style of gin? London Dry, Old Tom, Plymouth...?Didn't Aku Aku have a long tubular fish tank wrapping around the edge of the bar?

Sorry to be dense, but you've got about 6 cups of ingredients in a serving dish. Do you dispense it into individual vessels, or do guests use straws to imbibe form a common bowl?

I can also see the tip via the app.

For our first date, my wife and I went to a movie (Tootsie) and then to a place called Aku Aku in Boston for Scorpion Bowls. Needless to say it ended well. We’ve been married 31 years. I highly recommend them.

The last time I had a scorpion bowl was sometime in 1972 with friends after work at Yale-New Haven Hospital. I got totally wasted. I think I see from this recipe why that happened. It's meant to be shared! Who knew? We each ordered one for ourselves. I haven't touched a scorpion bowl or anything like it since.

My parents loved Trader Vic's in NYC and enjoyed many dinners there in the 1950's and 60's. My mother loved their Scorpions. To this day whenever I smell a gardenia I am taken back to my childhood. My mom and dad would return from dinner and when mom would come in to kiss me goodnight, she would have a gardenia (or two!) pinned to her dress. What a heavenly smell. I can't wait to make this recipe! Thanks!

My girlfriend taught me the best way to keep the flame going: Just soak a small crouton or piece of toasted bread in 151 and use that as the torch in the lime husk. Burns twice as long and way less likely to spill and create a flaming disaster!

Wondering if there is a reasonable substitute for orgeat for those of us with tree nut allergies? Sigh.

I am allergic to gin — is there another liquor that would be an acceptable substitute?

Recipe twice references the Tip on how to make a Flaming lime shell, but the Tip is missing from the recipe.