Hawaiian Cocktails

September 17, 2013

Vibrant happy hours known as pau hana—"to stop work"—are a longstanding tradition in Hawaii, where people unwind from the workday with a spread of snacks and fruity cocktails. Drink offerings can range from refined concoctions like the Ho'opono potion—a bracing mix of cucumber, tequila, and lime—to the Blue Hawaii, a luridly colored curaçao punch. Here, 8 Hawaiian libations to try for your own pau hana.

Li Hing Mui Margarita (“Side-Mui”)

Li Hing Mui Margarita (“Side-Mui”)

Homemade sour mix adds fresh tang to a sweet combination of vodka and Kahlua.Helen Rosner
French Connection

French Connection

This creative drink is a citrusy marriage of cognac and Hawaiian vodka sweetened with passion fruit syrup.Helen Rosner
Riki Tiki cocktail

Riki Tiki

This refresher combines pineapple and mango juices with coconut and spiced rums.Michael Kraus
Ho'opono Potion

Ho'opono Potion

Happy hour tastes like paradise with a bracing cocktail of cucumber, tequila, and fresh lime juice from Monkeypod Kitchen in Ko Olina, Hawaii. See the recipe for Ho'opono Potion »Michael Kraus
South Shore Sangria

South Shore Sangria

Like an adult version of Hawaiian Punch, this cocktail is a balance of sweet liqueurs, fruit juices, and red wine.Michael Kraus
Pod Thai

Pod Thai

Cardamom-lemongrass syrup lends a bit of Thai spice to a fresh cocktail made with rum and coconut.Helen Rosner
Pineapple “Up-Sides-Down”

Pineapple “Up-Sides-Down”

Tuaca, a vanilla citrus liqueur, and vanilla vodka transform pineapple juice into a dessert-like cocktail.Helen Rosner
Blue Hawaii cocktail

Blue Hawaii

This neon-hued curaçao punch features vodka, pineapple juice, and sour mix.Michael Kraus

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