Tiki Drinks – Tiki Universe

Some essential cocktails

Mai Tai

The finest rum drink in the world and the staple of any good Tiki bar. Created by Victor Bergeron (Trader Vic) in 1944, it’s Tahitian for ‘out of this world’.

2oz rum
1/2 oz Orgeat
1/2 oz Orange curacao
1/4 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz lime juice
2 cups crushed ice

Daiquiri

Originally a Cuban creation, this rum-based favourite remains a popular choice in all its forms, especially frozen or with various fruits. Though you can’t beat the original.

1 oz Silver rum
1/2 oz lime juice
dash simple syrup
dash maraschino liqueur

Suffering Bastard

The Mai Tai’s big brother, the Suffering Bastard, takes things up a notch. Created in Cairo, there are many interpretations, but it is characterised by a classic squatting tiki mug.

2 oz dark rum
1 oz silver rum
1/2 oz Orgeat
1/2 oz Orange curacao
1/4 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz lime juice
2 cups crushed ice

Painkiller

Originating in the British Virgin Islands in the 1970s, the Painkiller is a twist on the Piña Colada. The drink features Pusser’s Rum (who hold the copyright) along with pineapple juice, orange juice and coconut.

2 oz Pusser’s rum
4 oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice
1oz cream of coconut
Served on the rocks

Zombie

Invented by Donn Beach (Donn the Beachcomber) in 1934, the Zombie often comes with a warning. More than two can leave you like the walking dead! Recipes vary but are heavy on the rum with Pernod, bitters and some juice.

1 1/2 oz dark rum
1 1/2 oz golden rum
1 oz demerara rum
3/4 oz lime juice
1/2 oz grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce falernum syrup
1 teaspoon grenadine
4 dashes Pernod
1 dash Angostura bitters

Drunken Monkey

Inspired by Jackie Chan’s kung-fu style and the Monkey King of Chinese myth, this cocktail is said to originate from a Trader Vics in California. It combines different rums, fruit juices and banana liqueur to make something supremely tasty.

1 oz banana liqueur
1 oz coconut rum
1 oz dark or spiced rum
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz orange juice
1 splash of grenadine