There is just something about a tropical cocktail made on Maui. Maybe it is the ocean breezes, or perhaps these really great recipes, honed over many tropical nights. Sip savor and delight in the flavors of the island, whipped up at your own Maui condo, then again back home. Here are two da kine recipes to get you started.
Mango Li Hing Mui Margarita
The combination of sweet mango combined with the bite of fresh lime and li hing mui powder are an intoxicating combination.
1 1/2 ounces tequila (recommended: Coaps Reposado)
1/2-ounce orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Cointreau)
1-ounce lime juice
1 1/2 ounces sweet and sour mix
1/2-ounce mango puree
2 teaspoons li hing mui powder (available locally at Foodland)
Fill a blender with ice, add all the ingredients, except the powder, and blend. Rim a glass with li hing mui powder and serve immediately.
Best Mai Tai Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to get your Mai Tai on:
- 1 oz. light or amber rum
- 1 oz. dark or black rum (not spiced)
- 1 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
- ½ oz. orange Curaçao or triple sec
- ½ oz. orgeat syrup
- ¼ oz. simple syrup
- fresh mint for garnish
- 2 cups of cracked ice
- a cocktail shaker
- a double highball or Old Fashioned glass
Add all the liquid ingredients to your cocktail shaker. Proportion matters, so use a bar measure if possible instead of eyeballing it. Add the ice to the shaker, cap it, and shake for a good 10 to 15 seconds. Pour into your glass (no need to strain). Top with more cracked ice if you come up short and garnish with mint. (Bruise the mint first between your palms for fragrance. It won’t look as pretty, but it improves the experience.)
Field testing
If you don’t want to test your bar tending skills while on vacation, check out these great island watering holes.
