A perfect Hawaiian vacation evokes visions of bright sun, soft
sand, blue ocean, and a frosty alcoholic beverage in hand, especially after a day
of hiking, kayaking, or snorkeling. The
Hawaiian Islands are replete with signature Hawaiian cocktails such as Mai
Tais, Lava Flows, and Piña Coladas. We discovered
three of Kauai’s best Hawaiian cocktails with some very unique ingredients.
Duke’s Kauai Kalapaki Colada
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| Piña Colada, on the rocks? |
Normally when you think of a Piña Colada you think of a
frozen beverage. But Duke’s Kauai
Kalapaki Colada is surprisingly served on the rocks. I would have never thought of having a Piña Colada
on the rocks, but after tasting the Kalapaki Colada I may never go back. Duke’s Kauai Kalapaki Colada is made with
Kōloa Gold Rum from Kōloa Rum Company, macadamia nut liqueur, pineapple
juice, and coconut syrup, all served on the rocks. Who knew a Piña Colada could have such
complex flavors? Duke’s Kauai is located
on the Marriott Kauai property just south of Lihue and we visited while we were
staying at Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons.
In addition to the Kalapaki Colada, Duke’s Kauai serves a number of other Hawaiian cocktails.
Kilohana Plantation’s Mahikō Lounge Mai Tai
Mai Tais are a popular Hawaiian cocktail, but I’ve never
been a fan. They hand them out at places
like overcrowded luaus and they usually don’t taste very good. But when I visited the Kilohana Plantation
during a Kauai food tour we got to try Mahikō Lounge’s Mai Tai and it
was unlike any Mai Tai I had ever tasted previously. The Mai Tai is made with a number of natural
ingredients that create layers of flavor in this fresh tasting cocktail. I’ll share Mahikō Lounge’s Mai Tai recipe, but I can’t
guarantee you’ll be able to recreate it’s deliciousness at home, even if you do have Kōloa Rum Company's Hawaiian rums.
In a glass filled with
ice add the following ingredients:
1½ ounces of Kōloa
Gold Rum
Squeeze of vanilla
bean infused simple syrup
Squeeze of Orgeat
Syrup (a sweet almond flavored syrup)
Squeeze of lime
juice
Squeeze of fresh
sugar cane juice
(Mahikō Lounge has a sugar cane press)
(Mahikō Lounge has a sugar cane press)
Squeeze of lemon
juice
Shake the mixture
Pour in a glass
Float Kōloa Dark Rum on
top
Garnish with mint and
pineapple
Hukilau Lanai Coconut Okole
The third Hawaiian cocktail I had in Kauai was completely
new to me, but yet quintessentially Hawaiian.
I discovered the Coconut Okole when we dined at Hukilau Lanai in
Kapaa. It doesn’t look like much. You’d think it was just a glass of water if
it weren’t for the flower floating on top.
But it sure doesn’t taste like water.
The Coconut Okole is made with Okolehao, a Hawaiian moonshine distilled
from sugar cane and ti leaf. The
Hawaiian moonshine is mixed with fresh coconut water. It is a light beverage with a pleasant and
very Hawaiian coconut flavor, but with the heat of moonshine. Hukilau Lanai serves a number of unique
cocktail choices with unusual flavors, but the Coconut Okole is the most
Hawaiian of the cocktails.
Kauai has endless choices for enjoying an alcoholic
beverage. These are my three choices for
spectacular Hawaiian cocktails with unusual and fresh flavors and the taste of
Hawaii in every sip.
What is your favorite Hawaiian
cocktail?
