Seeing the mountains and beautiful shorelines of Hawaii is always a moving sight. You can feel the warm sun on your skin, the breeze on your face and the smell of the saltwater. With so many people stuck inside these days — thanks, COVID-19 — it can be hard to find a way to bring some of that Island enjoyment indoors. So, while many of us are self-quarantining and social distancing in our homes, bring some Hawaii inside with these tropical island drinks.
Mai Tai
In 1944, the first Mai Tai was mixed by Victor J. Bergeron, who was better known as Trader Vic. In it, he used a very special 17-year-old J. Wray and Nephew Jamaican rum. The cocktail became so popular that it led to a worldwide shortage of the rum!
Today, Mai Tais have become synonymous with the Island lifestyle. You can find them in just about any bar or restaurant around the Big Island, and each one is better than the last! To make your own Mai Tai at home, just mix up these ingredients:
· 1 oz. dark rum (you’re welcome to use 17-year-old rum if you can find it)
· 1 oz. amber rum
· 2 tablespoons orange juice
· 1/2 oz. Cointreau or triple sec
· 1 tablespoon lime juice
· 1 teaspoon oregeat syrup or 1 drop pure almond extract
· 1 teaspoon sugar
· Dash of grenadine
· Garnish with an orange slice
Blue Hawaiian
For an authentic taste of Hawaii, try a cocktail that was invented right here in the Islands. The Blue Hawaiian was born in Kaiser Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu in 1957. And yes, it was named after the Elvis Presley movie. Since then, it has become a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
To make a Blue Hawaiian, mix all ingredients into a shaker with ice and pour into a Hurricane glass over pebble or crushed ice.
· 3/4 oz. Vodka
· 3/4 oz. Light Rum
· 1/2 oz. Blue Curaçao
· 3 oz. pineapple juice
· 1 oz. Sweet-and-sour mix
· Garnish with pineapple wedge and an umbrella
Lava Flow
Can’t make it to Kilauea to see the lava flow? No problem; just make it at home! A Lava Flow is what would happen if a server carrying a pina colada crashed into another carrying a strawberry daiquiri. The result is a tropical concoction that’s out of this world — or perhaps the Islands.
To make a lava flow, grab your blender and mix:
· 1 oz. light rum
· 1 oz. coconut rum
· 2 oz. strawberries
Once it’s smooth, pour the mix into a Hurricane glass. Then, rinse the blender and throw in the remaining ingredients:
· 2 oz. coconut cream
· 1 small banana
· 2 oz. pineapple juice
· Crushed ice
When it reaches a nice consistency, pour the mixture into the same glass and watch the lava start to flow! Garnish with a pineapple wedge and an umbrella for extra effect.
Hawaiian-Brewed Beer
Don’t feel like mixing a drink yourself? That’s okay. There are still plenty of ways to get some “Liquid Aloha” in your newfound indoor lifestyle. Several Hawaiian breweries package their delicious beer in cans and bottles for you to enjoy from home. Two of them even ship their beer to the mainland!
The two most popular Hawaiian breweries are Kona Brewing Co. and Maui Brewing Co. It’s not hard to find their beer in grocery stores and liquor stores all across the country — even if toilet paper might not be.
Kava Tea
For those who don’t like alcohol, there’s still a way for you to enjoy the islands while stuck at home. Kava is an evergreen shrub that’s only found in the Pacific Islands. Somehow, someone discovered that if you grind the roots of the shrub into a paste and mix it into a tea, there are some benefits.
Kava has been shown to reduce anxiety, protect neurons from damage, reduce pain, and reduce the risk of cancer (maybe). What could possibly be better in such a crazy, stress-ridden time? If you don’t have time to go out and grind up your own Kava, it can be found online or in some grocery stores. But like most things with major health benefits, the flavor is rather… unique.
Stay safe out there!