Most Hawaiian cocktails have fruit juice in them.
Hawaii is known for its refreshing cocktails that frequently contain one of more of the fruits associated with Hawaii. Hawaiians often mix spirits, like rum and vodka, and garnish their drinks with a whimsical, paper umbrella. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Mai Tai Cocktails
The mai tai is the most ordered cocktail in Hawaii. The conventional mai tai recipe includes light and dark rum mixed with equal parts of orange juice, pineapple juice, sweet and sour mix and about one quarter as much orgeat syrup. A fancier version calls for the two rum types, Amaretto, Cointreau, orange and pineapple juice and a maraschino cherry-vanilla puree made by pureeing the stemmed cherries and their juice with vanilla bean seeds or pure vanilla extract.
Coladas
Another cocktail favorite in Hawaii is the pina colada, a rich mixture of sweetened coconut cream, pineapple juice and rum. This cocktail inspired the tarter key lime colada, a combination of vanilla rum, key lime cream liqueur, pina colada mix and pineapple juice. A less-sweet and lower-calorie colada combines coconut rum, mango vodka, orange and pineapple juice and fresh coconut milk. Another variation on the pina colada is the lava flow cocktail. Coconut rum, light rum, fresh banana, pineapple juice and coconut cream are mixed in a blender. After the concoction is poured into a large, stemmed, cocktail glass, pureed strawberries are poured on the top, creating an eruption effect that gave the drink its name. A lighter version of the cocktail mixes fresh strawberries with the other ingredients and omits the pureed topping.
Hawaiian Martinis
A conventional Hawaiian martini combines fresh pineapple with regular vodka, vanilla vodka and coconut rum in a blender. When the pineapple is pulverized, the drink is served in a martini glass and garnished with a pineapple spear. Other fruit-based martinis favored in Hawaii include the orange daiquiri martini, a mixture of rum, Triple Sec and orange juice, and the basil strawberry martini, a combination of muddled fresh basil and strawberries topped with vodka.
Other Popular Hawaiian Drinks
Chi chis are pina coladas made with vodka instead of rum. The Hawaiian-inspired mango mojito uses pureed mango in place of the conventional lime juice, but keeps the rum and fresh mint. To make a tropical style margarita, combine white tequila with lime juice and pure agave nectar.
Tags: pineapple juice, pina colada, coconut cream, lime juice, orange juice, orange pineapple