Try These 5 Tiki Cocktails This Summer

Try These 5 Tiki Cocktails This Summer

You’re going to need to cool down this summer, and water just won’t cut it. You need a drink that says you’ve turned your phone off, ready to relax, and want to taste the season on your tongue. 

What better way than with a Tiki cocktail?

Tiki cocktails, popularized by Don the Beachcomber, include a variety of rums, fresh tropical fruit, and a colorful presentation. These aren’t your ordinary mixed drinks, they're made to be enjoyed near the sand and ocean to truly capture summertime.

We'll skip past the history so you can get right down to the good stuff. Here are just a few of the many Tiki cocktails you can make to beat the heat.

Cocktail Critters

Looking for accessories to wear on your next island-inspired luau? Cocktail Critters has an assortment of fun & fashionable enamel pins and cocktail inspired designs fit for any occasion.

Navy Grog

This spin on an 18th century drink adds the kick of rum with lime juice, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup for extra consistency. 

  • 30ml (1 oz) Dark Jamaican Rum
  • 30ml (1 oz) Gold Demerara Rum
  • 30ml (1 oz) White Rum
  • 22.5ml (¾ oz) Grapefruit Juice
  • 22.5ml (¾ oz) Lime Juice, Freshly Squeezed
  • 22.5ml (¾ oz) Honey Syrup*
  • 30ml (1 oz) Soda Water
  • Garnish: Mint Sprig & Lime Wedge

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain over fresh crushed ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

Alternatively, blend all ingredients and serve over crushed ice (or an ice cone as seen in the photo; but good luck with that one!).

*Honey syrup: Add ½ cup honey and ½ cup water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until blended, then pour into a jar and seal tightly with a lid. Will keep for 1 month in the refrigerator.

History: If you want to dive into the the history of this cocktail, be sure to visit Liquor to read more.

Jungle Bird

The main draw of this pineapple cocktail is the elegant garnish that accompanies it, letting you take flight with each sip. 

  • 45ml (1½ oz) Dark Rum
  • 22.5ml (¾ oz) Campari
  • 45ml (1½ oz) Pineapple Juice
  • 15ml (½ oz) Sugar Syrup
  • 15ml (½ oz) Lime Juice, Freshly Squeezed
  • Garnish: Pineapple

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain over fresh ice in a highball glass and garnish with pineapple. 

Bar Recommendation: Sharing the same name as this punchy cocktail, if you find yourself across the Pacific be sure to stop by the Junglebird, #35 of Asia's 50 Best Bars 2022 to try one for yourself.

Blue Hawaiian

This cocktail might be the easiest to make, but it definitely catches the eyes with its blue hue.

  • 45ml (1½ oz) White Rum
  • 30ml (1 oz) Blue Curacao
  • 60ml (2 oz) Pineapple Juice
  • 30ml (1 oz) Coconut Milk
  • Garnish: Cherry & Pineapple

Combine all ingredients and shake together with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled hurricane glass and garnish with a cherry & pineapple. Alternatively, blend all ingredients with crushed ice and serve!

Ingredient Alternative: If Blue Curacao isn't for you, easily swap it out for flavors you enjoy like Melon with Midori or Black Raspberry with Chambord. They might not offer the same neon-blue hue but they will definitely quench your thirst!

Chief Lapu Lapu

Keeping things festive, this fruity cocktail uses a trimmed and hollow pineapple to serve to your guests or customers.

  • 22.5ml (¾ oz) Dark Jamaican Rum
  • 22.5ml (¾ oz) Light Puerto Rican Rum
  • 30ml (1 oz) Lemon Juice, Freshly Squeezed
  • 45ml (1½ oz) Orange Juice
  • 30ml (1 oz) Passion Fruit Puree
  • 15ml (½ oz) Sugar Syrup
  • Garnish: Cherry & Pineapple Leaves

Combine all ingredients and shake together with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled hurricane glass and garnish with a cherry & pineapple leaves.

Rum Recommendations: If you aren't sure where to start searching for new bottles of rum for your home bar, here are a few choices to get you going. Check out Appleton Estate Signature for an affordable dark Jamaican rum, and a classic Bacardi Carta Blanca (previously Cuban, now produced in Puerto Rico) for your light & bright rum.

    Piña Colada

    Ready for a cocktail so famous that it has it’s own song? 

    • 45ml (1½ oz) Light Rum
    • 60ml (2 oz) Pineapple Juice
    • 30ml (1 oz) Coconut Milk
    • 15ml (½ oz) Sugar Syrup
    • Garnish: Pineapple Slice & Leaf

    Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend together with crushed ice. Pour into a chilled hurricane glass, garnish with pineapple and enjoy!

    Bar Recommendation: Foodies will travel the world to experience the best restaurants as suggested by the Michelin Guide. But how many have been to the birthplace of the Pina Colada? The next time you're taking an island vacation, consider visiting the Caribar Bar, Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico to experience a taste of history.

    Where to Find the Best Tiki Cocktails

    Tired of your local Tiki cocktails with layers of grenadine or premade sweet-and-sour mix? Give a hard pass the next time your server at TGI Fridays or Planet Hollywood ask you if you want to try their syrup-in-a-glass. Instead, there are plenty of top quality bars across the US according to this article that serve up incredibly tasty Tiki cocktails.

    Final Thoughts on Tiki Cocktails

    These Tiki cocktails embody the spirit of relaxation and turn heads with their unique appearances. However, they can be enjoyed even further with your own spin by wearing our Tiki Collection enamel pin line.

    Jungle Bird Enamel Pin, Pina Colada Enamel Pin, Blue Hawaiian Enamel Pin by Cocktail Critters

    Whether on your lapel, bag, hat, or any bit of clothing that needs a summer boost, the Tiki enamel pins let everyone know that you’re ready to kick back and enjoy the season. Get yours today by visiting our shop and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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