Tiki cocktails typically use rum as a base – though other spirits also have a part to play – paired with classic fruit flavours such as pineapple, coconut, lime and banana. In popular tiki culture, drinks are often served in coconut shells or hollowed-out pineapples but if you want a solution that’s equally authentic but considerably more practical, you could hunt down a ceramic tiki mug with Polynesian-inspired design. These mugs are usually large enough to accommodate a long cocktail with ice while helping to keep it cold.
Mai Tai
There are plenty of variations on the mai tai theme, including adding tropical fruit juices in varying quantities. None are wrong but it’s worth trying a classic mai tai first as it’s the perfect balance of sweet, sharp and tangy. This involves shaking light rum with lime juice, orange curaçao and orgeat (almond-infused) syrup before pouring over ice in a rocks glass and floating a measure of dark rum on the top. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Zombie
With three types of rum, this tiki-inspired cocktail isn’t for the faint-hearted and should be approached with care. There are several recipes circulating – some call for the addition of less common ingredients like absinth, lime bitters and falernum (spiced sugar syrup) – but you can keep things simple by combining a measure each of light, dark and white rum with pineapple and lime juice, alongside a splash of grenadine. Shake with ice and serve in a Collins glass.
Bahama Mama
A wonderfully citrussy cocktail for five-star vacation vibes – even if you’re planning your downtime at home this summer. Blend equal measures of golden rum and coconut rum in a hurricane glass with orange juice and pineapple juice. Top with ice and drizzle with grenadine to create a sunset effect. Garnish with tropical fruits and a straw. We think that pineapple juice is a must here – although the OJ is optional.
Hurricane
The hurricane owes much to its sister drink, the daiquiri. Made from an ice-cold blend of dark and light rum paired with passionfruit and orange juices and a dash of grenadine, it’s the ultimate tropical cocktail. Top it off with slices of orange and maraschino cherries plus cocktail umbrella. Make larger quantities in a jug if you’re hosting a tiki party.
If you love tropical tiki flavours, it’s worth taking a closer look at Edmunds’ ready-to-drink Mango Daiquiri, Passionfruit Martini and Kumquat Margarita.
