It’s Time for Tiki Drinks!
If summer fills your head with images of tropical, fruity beverages, then chances are that tiki mugs are what you envision in your hand (perhaps including a teeny, tiny umbrella).
So named after the polynesian idols that are traditionally depicted, these ceramic tiki mugs were popularized in the United States in the 1950’s at polynesian- and tiki-themed bars and restaurants. By the 1960’s, a variety of different style tiki mugs were being manufactured (Admin |, 2019). Today, you can even find them styled after your favorite superhero or Star Wars character.
![A few Tiki mugs on a table at Mad River Distillers](https://www.madriverdistillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Tikis-for-Blog-819x1024.png)
While tiki mugs may not impact the flavor or aroma of your favorite adult beverage, they certainly add a bit of fun and flair, perhaps even imparting a small taste of that always desirable vacation life. If you’re looking to add some fun to your drinkware collection, we carry a variety of styles at our Burlington Tasting Room. Need some drink ideas to go with your new tiki mug? Below are a few recipes you can try from home.
Tiki Drink Recipes
![](https://www.madriverdistillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mai-Tai_Square-1024x1024.jpg)
MAI TAI
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. First Run Rum
- 1/4 oz. Orgeat
- 1/2 oz. Triple Sec
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- 4 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- Mint Garnish
- Lemon Wheel
Instructions:
In a shaker, add all ingredients, except for bitters, with ice. Shake for about 8-15 seconds. Strain contents into a tiki mug. Dash bitters on top of the cocktail. Add a lemon wheel and mint sprig for garnish. Note: if preferred, you can shake the bitters with the rest of the ingredients.
![](https://www.madriverdistillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Hurricane-Recipe-1024x1024.png)
HURRICANE
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. First Run Rum
- 1 oz. Vanilla Rum
- 1 oz. Maple Cask Rum
- 3 oz. Passionfruit juice
- 1 oz. Lime
- 1/2 oz. Orgeat syrup
Instructions:
Shake and strain over ice into a large tiki mug. Garnish with a lemon and cherry.
![](https://www.madriverdistillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Vermontiki-Recipe-1024x1024.png)
VERMONTIKI
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. First Run Rum
- 1 oz. Rum 44
- 1 oz. Maple Cask Rum
- ½ oz. Lazzaroni Amaretto
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 oz. pineapple juice
- 1 oz. orange juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients, except for the Maple Cask Rum. Strain into a tiki mug, then top with a float of Maple Cask Rum. Garnish with pineapple, cherry and lime on a skewer.
![](https://www.madriverdistillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Mad-River-Rum-Punch-1024x1024.png)
MAD RIVER RUM PUNCH
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Rum 44
- 1 oz. First Run Rum
- 1 oz. Pomegranate Grenadine
- 1.5 oz. lime juice
- 1/2 oz. Orgeat syrup
- 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake for about 8-15 seconds. Strain contents into a tiki mug. Garnish with an edible flower and an orange wheel.
![](https://www.madriverdistillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Lime-in-the-Coconut-1024x1024.png)
PUT THE LIME IN THE COCONUT
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. RUM 44 or Vanilla Rum
- 1.5 oz. Coconut Cream
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- 5 Dashes Bittercube Blackstrap Bitters
Instructions:
In a shaker, add all ingredients with ice. Shake for about 8-15 seconds. Strain contents into your favorite tiki mug. Garnish with grated nutmeg and a lime wheel.
![](https://www.madriverdistillers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Chunky-Monkey-2-1008x1024.jpg)
CHUNKY MONKEY
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. First Run Rum
- 3/4 oz. Giffard Banane du Bresil
- 1/2 oz. spiced black walnut orgeat
- 1/4 oz. Cheongsam Smokey Mist Tea Liqueur
- 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1/4 oz. lemon juice
- Bar spoon white creme de cacao
- 2 dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters
Instructions:
Combine ingredients. Shake with ice cubes, and strain into a tiki mug. To recreate our decorative garnish, fill a mini ice cream cone with banana candies, cocktail umbrella, monkey charm, and orchid.
Written and edited by Brianne Lucas. Published on July 15, 2022.
References: Admin |, B. (2019, June 2). More Than a Glass: A Brief History of the Tiki Mug (Conference Preview 2019) – Wine, Wit, and Wisdom. Wine, Wit, and Wisdom. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://winewitandwisdomswe.com/2019/06/02/more-than-a-glass-a-brief-history-of-the-tiki-mug-conference-preview-2019/