15 Tiki Drinks Recipes That'll Transport You To The Tropics
Come sail away with one of these dreamy cocktails.
When we get to choose the post-work bar, Team Delish is all about the Tiki bar. Think about it: Tiki bars have the perfect amount of beachy kitsch, tropical vibes, and dreamy Tiki drinks so good we'd gladly swim in them. You might have noticed some of your favorite classic cocktails are also some of the most iconic Tiki-style cocktails too (like a Rum Runner, The Zombie, and the Painkiller), so we think it's high time that Tiki cocktails get their time in the sun. Spoiler: These 15 must-try Tiki cocktails are beyond easy to mix up at home—just be sure to serve them in your favorite Tiki mug for the full experience. 😎
First things first, what are Tiki drinks? Typically, Tiki drinks are typically island-inspired, often rum-based drinks with origins in the Caribbean and Polynesia. The popularity of Tiki bars is often credited to bar owners in California in the 1930s, who took inspiration from their South Pacific travels to craft drinks based around tropical fruits like pineapple and guava. It's important to know that Tiki drinks are not the same as tropical drinks. While Tiki drinks do play on tropical flavors, the cocktails that define Tiki are notably more complex and can be highly regionally specific too, depending on the local ingredients and alcohol preferences of the region. The Mai Tai is delicious history in a glass, if you think about it!
Now that we've gone over Tiki: 101, let's get to the drinks. What we love most about Tiki drinks is how they immediately transport us just from one sip. If that sounds like you, why not let yourself get carried away with a Blue Hawaiian, Singapore Sling, or a Dark 'N' Stormy at your next happy hour?
Mai Tai
When you think of a Mai Tai, it's impossible not to teleport to a sunny, sandy beach. It’s refreshing and fruity with just the right amount of sweetness. The classic Mai Tai has evolved to include other tropical flavors like pineapple juice, orange juice, or a splash of grenadine, but a true classic Mai Tai keeps it simple with a shaken blend of light rum, lime juice, dry Curaçao, and orgeat syrup over ice. Like any good tiki drink, these babies are strong and sneaky, so you won’t need much to get the party started. Serve these at a tiki-themed backyard bash, weekend brunch, or when you had an extra long day at work.
Get the Mai Tai recipe.
Rum Runner
Did you know? The name of this classic tropical cocktail originates from the Prohibition-era, when bootleggers would, quite literally, would run liquor across state lines to speakeasies. This dangerous task was colloquially known as rum-running, which is also the namesake for this classic tropical cocktail. True to its name, this drink has not one but two types of rum in it, and is balanced by the addition of fruity liqueurs and fresh juice, making it a perfect cocktail for a balmy day.
Get the Rum Runner recipe.
Sex On The Beach Cocktail
Peachy, tart, and citrusy, this cocktail is the perfect sipper for a warm summer day (whether you're at a Tiki bar or at your home bar). No matter where you're celebrating, this summer cocktail will make you feel like you're on the beach.
Get the Sex On The Beach Cocktail recipe.
Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling is a strong yet balanced cocktail that’s earned its place in the respectable cocktail hall of fame. At its core, a sling is just a drink made with a spirit (gin in this case), sugar, water, and nutmeg. This version is named for its place of origin: The Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore at the hands of a bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon.
Get the Singapore Sling recipe.
Dark 'N' Stormy
Deceptively simple to mix up, the Dark 'N' Stormy delivers a refreshingly complex wave of spice and zing. Want it with a twist? Try our Frozen Dark 'N' Stormy!
Get the Dark 'N' Stormy recipe.
Zombie Cocktail
Though the name might make you think of all things spooky, the Zombie is a citrus-forward Tiki cocktail that will have you thinking about a day at the beach before you think of an invasion of the undead. This version, and the original created by Donn Beach in the 1930s, has 3 types of rum in it. Legend says that the first person who tried this strong cocktail felt like a zombie for days afterward. But after we drink a Zombie? We mostly want to hustle to the nearest pool party!
Get the Zombie Cocktail recipe.
Blue Hawaiian Coolers
If you close your eyes while drinking this rum-and-coconut slushy, you'll think you're at the beach. Pinky promise. Need more frozen, beachy drinks? Try our sangria slushies next!
Get the Blue Hawaiian Coolers recipe.
Hurricane
This iconic fruity, boozy drink will transport you right to Bourbon Street, where it was invented. A variation on the daiquiri, the Hurricane cocktail contains classic fruity and tropical flavors (like passion fruit and orange juice), paired with two types of rum and grenadine. The drink is topped off with orange slices and maraschino cherries for the final sweet, tropical touch. We think the weather report has 100% chance of this becoming your next favorite cocktail.
Get the Hurricane recipe.
Spiked Coconut Limeade
We love a good frozen cocktail, and this coconut number is no exception. To unlock the delicious concentrated flavor found in citrus skins, we made an oleo saccharum, which isn't nearly as fancy as it sounds. Let us explain: Granulated sugar draws the flavorful essential oils out of citrus peels as they sit at room temperature. We love watching the sugar transform into a beautiful syrup, perfect for flavoring seltzer, cocktails, or desserts.
Get the Spiked Coconut Limeade recipe.
Painkiller Cocktail
Created in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar in British Virgin Islands, the Painkiller lives up to its name, delivering plenty of booze in a frothy, nutmeg-dusted package. Looking for a way to use up the rest of that pineapple juice? Our Dole Whip mimosas are a brunch staple.
Get the Painkiller Cocktail recipe.
Strawberry Daiquiri
The mix of fresh and frozen strawberries in this recipe is the trick for a smooth, frosty daiquiri. If you love this drink, then we think you'll really love our strawberry frosé.
Get the Strawberry Daiquiri recipe.
Piña Colada
Tangy pineapple blended with spiced rum and rich coconut milk makes this a vacation in a glass. Pairs perfectly with getting caught in the rain.
Get the Classic Piña Colada recipe.
Lava Flow
Rich coconut cream and coconut rum, blended up with strawberries, pineapple, and banana? You just might lava this drink! 😉
Get the Lava Flow recipe.
Boozy Fishbowl
A perfect big-batch summer cocktail recipe for a party, this fishbowl is based on the classic drink, the Blue Hawaiian.
Get the Boozy Fishbowl recipe.
Bahama Mama
We created a fresh take on this tropical mix of pineapple, orange, and two different types of rum. Add a splash of coffee liqueur to mix a more traditional take.
Get the Bahama Mama recipe.
