A Taste of the Islands
When heading to an island paradise, we all seek a different form of escape. For some it’s the beach, relaxing in the sun. For others, it’s the waves, crashing on the shore. For me, it’s spending time with family and friends, enjoying great company and meals, and trying new cocktails while exploring the hidden gems Hawaii has to offer.
To help capture that island feeling, wherever you may be, I’ve put together a list of a few of my favorite tropical cocktails.
Japanese Floradora
The Japanese Floradora is a sophisticated spin on the famous 1950’s drink. Originally made with ginger beer and served on the rocks, this version of the Floradora has been elevated to a martini style cocktail made with Japanese influenced components. This drink is ideal for a sophisticated evening of fine dining in the islands, best enjoyed under the light of the moon and the stars.
2oz Roku Gin
1/4oz Simple Syrup
1/4oz Sparkling Yuzu Water
3/4oz Lime
1/4oz Chambord
Small Piece of Ginger – Muddled
Directions: Add whole ginger to shaker tin, muddle ginger thoroughly. Add all ingredients except Chambord to shaker tin. Shake until well chilled and double strain over martini glass. Slowly add Chambord to martini glass so that it rests at the bottom. Spray citrus mist over the top of the glass, ensuring that it touches the entirety of the rim.
Tips: To present this cocktail, set the ginger and luxardo cherry skewer to the edge of the glass, sip the cocktail, then stir with the skewer and sip again. The first sip will show you how potent the beverage is, the second will show how the flavors balance once the Chambord is stirred in.
Coconut Daiquiri
Daiquiris are a staple of tropical cocktails, often thought of as overly sweet frozen beverages, daiquiris are quite classy in their classic shaken and served up form. We have innovated this one by sweetening with a delicious coconut simple syrup, alternating between a dry white rum and a barrel aged Fiji rum plus a touch of Coca Leaf liquor, this drink is truly a coming together of tropical paradises. Enjoy this delicious drink with pupus while you watch the beautiful Hawaii sunset.
1oz Plantation Fiji Style Rum
1oz Bacardi Superior Light Rum
3/4oz Lime Juice
1/2oz Coconut Simple Syrup
1/4oz Agwa Coca Leaf Liquor
Directions: Add all ingredients to shaker tin. Shake with ice and double strain onto a coupe/Martini glass.
Tips: For added flare line the edge of your glass with toasted coconut flakes, garnish with tropical flowers and enjoy.
Mai Tai
Nothing says big island like a Mai Thai, with Kona being the home of the World’s Best Mai Thai competition, we could not leave this one out of the line up of favorite island cocktails. Enjoy this by the beach, preferably with your feet in the water. Don’t be afraid to experiment! As a tequila lover, I also enjoy this drink with Don Julio 1942 and a Gran Patron in place of the Rums.
1.5oz Kuleana HuiHui White Rum
1oz Plantation Fiji Style Rum
1/4oz Triple Sec
3/4oz Lime Juice
3/4oz Lemon Juice
1oz Hamakua Coast Premium Orgeat
Directions: Add all ingredients to shaker tin, save .5oz of Fiji Rum for later. Shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Float the remaining Fiji rum over your drink. Garnish with tropical flowers and enjoy.
Tropical Zen
The tropical zen is as smooth as it gets. This is. A great pool side drink, for those hot tanning days.
1oz Tequila Reposado
1oz Mezcal Joven
1/4oz Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
3/4oz Pineapple Juice
1/2oz Lime Juice
Directions: Pour all ingredients into shaker tin and shake. Serve in a rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish with edible flowers.
Lilikoi Tequila Piña Colada
This would not be a proper island cocktail list without a Piña Colada, but this is a special one, made with my favorite spirit, tequila. Dairy free and low sugar, this piña colada is perfect for a hot day of enjoying the beach!
2oz Tequila Blanco
1/2oz Fresh Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)
1oz Agave Simple Syrup
1/4 oz Lime or Lemon
3/4oz Pineapple Juice
3oz Nutpods Coconut Almond Creamer
Ice
Directions: Add all ingredients to to blender, blend until desired texture. Serve in tall glass with a straw.