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Tiki culture and cocktails have been a staple of summertime fun for decades, offering a tropical escape from the everyday with bright, fruity flavours and exotic ingredients. As Donn Beach famously said, "If you can't get to paradise, I'll bring it to you." Here, we've rounded up the top 10 tiki cocktails that are sure to transport you to a paradise of your own making.
1. Mai Tai
The Mai Tai is the quintessential tiki cocktail, featuring a combination of rum, orange curaçao, orgeat (almond syrup), and lime juice. This drink was first mixed by tiki legend Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron at his Trader Vic’s bar, sometime in the 1940s. The drink is traditionally served in a double old-fashioned glass and garnished with a pineapple wedge, mint sprig, and cherry. To make the perfect Mai Tai, be sure to use high-quality white and dark rums and freshly squeezed lime juice.
2. Pina Colada
The Pina Colada is a classic tropical drink made with pineapple juice, coconut cream, and rum. The drink is blended with ice and garnished with a cherry and a pineapple wedge. To take your Pina Colada to the next level, try using fresh pineapple juice and a high-quality rum.
3. Zombie
The Zombie is a classic Tiki cocktail that was created by Donn Beach at Don the Beachcomber. It is known for its strong and intricate flavor as well as its high alcohol content, which gave it its name as it was said to have the ability to "revive the dead." The original recipe for the Zombie calls for multiple rum varieties, lime juice, pineapple juice, falernum, Pernod bitters, and grenadine, as well as Donn’s Mix, a unique spiced syrup used by Beach in several of his creations. The drink is usually garnished with a mint sprig and served in an elaborate Tiki-shaped mug filled with crushed ice, which is meant to melt over time and make the strong drink more enjoyable.
4. Blue Hawaiian
The Blue Hawaiian is a sweet and fruity cocktail made with blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and rum. The drink is blended with ice and garnished with a cherry and a pineapple wedge. To make the perfect Blue Hawaiian, use fresh pineapple juice and high-quality coconut cream.
5. Painkiller
The Painkiller is a smooth and creamy tiki cocktail made with pineapple juice, coconut cream, orange juice, and rum. Garnish with a cherry and a pineapple wedge, and serve in a tall glass. To make a delicious Painkiller, use a mix of dark and light rum and fresh pineapple and orange juice.
6. Scorpion
The Scorpion is a sweet and exotic tiki cocktail made with brandy, gin, rum, orange juice, and orgeat. The drink is served in a large hurricane glass and garnished with a cherry and an orange wedge. To make a delicious Scorpion, use high-quality brandy, gin, rum, and fresh orange juice.
7. Bahama Mama
The Bahama Mama is a fruity tiki cocktail made with a combination of rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and grenadine. The drink is blended with ice and garnished with a cherry and a pineapple wedge. To make the perfect Bahama Mama, use fresh pineapple juice and a high-quality coconut cream.
8. Tiki Punch
Tiki Punch is a sweet and fruity cocktail made with a combination of rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine. The drink is served in a large punch bowl and garnished with a cherry and an orange wedge. To make a delectable Tiki Punch, combine dark and light rum with fresh pineapple and orange juice.
9. Rum Runner
The Rum Runner is a sweet and tropical tiki cocktail made with rum, blackberry liqueur, lime juice, and grenadine. The drink is served in a tall glass and topped with a cherry and a wedge of lime. To make a delicious Rum Runner, use high-quality rum and fresh lime juice.
10. Coconut Mojito
The Coconut Mojito is a twist on the classic mojito, made with rum, coconut syrup, lime juice, mint leaves, and soda water. The drink is shaken with ice and garnished with a lime wedge and mint sprig. Use high-quality rum, fresh lime juice, and a good-quality coconut syrup to add a touch of tropical flavor to a delicious coconut mojito.
Tiki cocktails offer a fun and delicious escape from the everyday with their tropical flavors and exotic ingredients. Indulging in a Mai Tai, Pina Colada, or any other tiki cocktail from this selection promises a journey to a tropical haven of your own creation. Just remember to always drink responsibly and enjoy these stiff drinks in moderation. So, gather your friends, mix up a batch of your favorite tiki cocktails, and sit back and relax as you sip your way to paradise.
