#15: Loni Honi

As evidenced in this photo, I was highly suspicious when it was time for the Loni Honi, a small drink served in a sipping glass.  However, this tiny cocktail packs a strong punch, making this the first Tiki Drink I've ever had that requires sipping.  Puerto Rican rum, Benedictine, and Lemon Juice mix to create the semi-fruity version of a whiskey-like drink, complete with nose, burn and aftertaste.  I imagine something like this could be enjoyed with some tiki torches in a backyard evening pool party.  Speaking of party, the gang came to hang for this voyage to the Hut: Ellen Harris, Jessica Forer and Matt Flynn.  See you next week!

#14: Pago Pago

This week I take a stab at a rhythmically-named tiki-favorite, the Pago Pago.  This is an easy drink to take down, the mix of flavors makes the booze difficult to detect, and pretty dangerous.  The core flavor of Pago Pago comes from Pineapple and Lime, and the special ingredient: Chartreuse.  Slam some creme in there with Barbados-based rum (Mount Gay) and you got yourself a cocktail.  Excellent drink, mixed excellently by The Hut.

#13: Red Tide

 Finishing week 5 of the Grog Log is the Red Tide.  Similar to the Polynesian Spell, in terms of strong fruit flavor, this cocktail uses tequila as the alcohol base, mixed with orange juices, and uses pomegranate as the forefront flavor.  I've seen some recipes claim to use Vodka and Cranberry to make a Red Tide, but personally I think this pushes the flavor closer to a Hurricane.  The Tonga recipe gives it a tangy flavor, with a bit more kick.  Mike McKee graciously came down to join me this week, and managed to take down some Tiki flavors himself, here he is soaking up the booze and the ambiance of the Hut.

#12: Planters Punch

Here is another classic to cross off the list, the Planters Punch.  This popular recipe is a mixture of a variety of flavors, including pineapple, orange, two different kinds of rum, lime and grenadine. 

• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz sugar syrup
• 1/2 oz gold Jamaican Rum
• 1/2 oz dark Jamaican Rum
• 1 oz gold Virgin Islands Rum
• 1/2 tsp grenadine
• 1/2 tsp falernum
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 6 oz crushed ice

The result is a sort of sweet-and-sour tangy flavor, with a good alcoholic bang to it.  A must-have on any boat-drinks list.

#11: Polynesian Spell

 

Probably the fruitiest tasting drink on the Log so far, the Polynesian Spell uses Grape Juice for the foundation of the flavor, creating a deep rich taste that disguises the booze.  The Beachbum Berry recipe is as follows:

• 1 oz grape juice
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 oz triple sec
• 1/4 oz peach brandy
• 1/2 tsp sugar syrup
• 1 1/2 oz gin

A good starter for a multi-drink night.  Speaking of which, Foursquare was kind enough to remind me what week it is on the Grog Log Journey:

#10: Lychee Nut Daquari

Closing out the night for me this time is a rare drink: the Lychee Nut Daquari.  Tonga Hut prides itself on using fresh ingredients, and I was fortunate enough that they had Lychee Nut on hand to crush up and blend into this fresh concoction.  The flavor of course is extremely heavy on Lychee Nut, blended with a bit of coconut and white rum. 

• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz lynchee nut puree
• 1/2 oz Maraschino Liqueur
• 2 oz light virgin islands rum

Shake well with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Very unique flavor on the Grog Log.  Until next time, Aloha.

#9: Mango Cooler

The first drink on the journey to incorporate Vodka, the Mango Cooler.  The fresh Mango Juice adds a powerful flavor to this one, especially since Vodka is a more transparent flavor than Rum, the mixture of Mango and Lemon juice makes it a citrus-heavy addition to the Grog Log.

• 3 oz mango nectar
• 1 1/2 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau
• 1 1/2 oz vodka

Shake well with ice cubes, and pour unstrained into a tall glass.  Works best garnished with an orange slice.