13 Most Popular Hawaiian Beverages

Mai Tai is a cocktail well-known to many coming to Hawaii Island for its tropical profile. Originally created in California in the 1940s, Mai Tai calls for rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup (an almond-flavored syrup), and orange curaçao.

Served often with a garnish of mint, cherry, or a slice of pineapple, the Mai Tai is a well-known mix in the United States, particularly in tiki bars. Its vibrant layers of flavor, with the tangy freshness of lime and the complexity of rum, make it a favorite among many cocktail enthusiasts.

It is also enjoyed in various bars around the world, where its complex flavors are appreciated.

Kona coffee is a prestigious variety of coffee cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the Big Island of Hawaii. The coffee is renowned for its rich, full-bodied flavor and aromatic complexity, attributable to the unique volcanic soil and ideal climatic conditions.

Kona coffee beans are carefully hand-picked for a meticulous process of sun-drying and roasting for a distinctive, smooth taste with hints of spice and nuts.

POG is a non-alcoholic Hawaiian beverage that brings the tropical flavors of passion fruit, orange, and guava into one mix. The acronym POG stands for these three ingredients, blended to create a sweet, tangy, and refreshing drink.

Originating in Hawaii, this juice has become a beloved staple across the islands and is often enjoyed chilled or as a breakfast drink. POG is also used in various Hawaiian cocktails and, interestingly, as a flavor base in culinary recipes.

Blue Hawaii is a classic tropical cocktail that was materialized in Hawaii in 1957 by bartender Harry Yee at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The striking blue drink gets its color from blue curaçao mixed with light rum, vodka, and pineapple juice for a sweet-and-sour taste.

When served in a highball glass, the Blue Hawaii is often garnished with a slice of pineapple or a cherry for a touch of elegance. The cocktail is a popular choice for tourists coming to Hawaiian paradise.

Lava Flow is a visually stunning tropical cocktail in Hawaii, boasting a creative blend of a strawberry daiquiri and a piña colada. The mix mainly features layers of blended strawberries, coconut cream, and pineapple juice with a rum base.

Its signature look resembles flowing lava, thanks to the vivid red strawberry mix that seeps through the lighter coconut and pineapple layers. Served chilled in a tall glass garnished with pineapple or a cherry, the lava flow mainly possesses a sweet profile.

Piña Colada is a tropical cocktail that was popularized in Hawaii, especially at tiki bars. The creamy and refreshing drink is crafted from a blend of rum, coconut cream or coconut milk, and pineapple juice, served blended or shaken with ice.

In Hawaii, it’s often garnished with a pineapple wedge, a cherry, or both for a colorful appearance. Its sweet, fruity flavor makes Piña Colada a favorite among visitors and locals of all ages alike, even boasting a virgin version that excludes all the alcoholic elements.

Coconut water is a refreshing and hydrating beverage widely enjoyed in Hawaii, with abundant coconut palms. For the best experience, young green coconuts are used for the clear, sweet liquid packed with electrolytes.

Thanks to a history of migrants, the island population uses the palm tree for its fruit, which is even considered a go-to drink for Filipino residents on the island.

In Hawaii, coconut water is often consumed straight from the fruit. It’s also a key ingredient in various Hawaiian smoothies and cocktails, adding a natural taste and a heat-relieving property.

Hawaiian mimosa is a vibrant twist on the classic brunch cocktail, created using rum and champagne with tropical fruits from Hawaii. Typically, pineapple or passion fruit is used instead of the standard orange juice.

The result is a bubbly, sweet, slightly tart beverage that captures the tropical climate of the place. Often garnished with a slice of pineapple or a cherry, Hawaiian mimosas are a popular choice at local bars.

Chi chi is a popular Hawaiian cocktail that is a tropical twist on the traditional piña colada. Instead of rum, the creamy blend is based on vodka with coconut cream and pineapple juice to create a smooth concoction.

Chi chi is often served frozen and garnished with a slice of pineapple or cherry for a visually appealing beverage. The cocktail is especially favored amongst vacationers and locals looking to enjoy a taste of island paradise.

Luau Punch is a Hawaiian canned drink known for its vibrant and fruity flavor for a mix of tropical juices like pineapple, guava, and orange. Furthermore, the fruity flavor is combined with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda to add a fizzy component.

Usually, people will pour out the content for serving in large bowls or dispensers at large gatherings.

Okolehao is a traditional Hawaiian spirit distilled from the root of the ti plant. Known colloquially as “Hawaiian moonshine,” this distinctive liquor dates back to the early 18th century, when it was originally created during the era of King Kamehameha.

Okolehao is characterized by its unique, slightly sweet flavor, which can vary from batch to batch due to differences in distillation and aging processes. The spirit is enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a base in various tropical cocktails.

The Hawaiian martini is a vibrant cocktail of Hawaii with its unique blend of flavors. The drink typically combines vanilla vodka, coconut rum, and pineapple juice, creating a sweet and tropical taste.

Locals often garnish the martini with a slice of fresh pineapple or an orchid to enhance its island appeal. The Hawaiian martini is a popular choice at Hawaiian-themed bars and small tikis on the island.

Beer in Hawaii is a thriving aspect of the local beverage characterized by a diverse range of craft breweries on the islands. Hawaiian breweries often incorporate local ingredients such as coconut, pineapple, and Kona coffee to create different flavor layers.

From light, refreshing lagers to robust porters and IPAs with tropical infusions, the beer in Hawaii offers a light and easy-to-enjoy taste.