tropical and hawaiian drinks (tequila, best, pina coladas, brandy)

[gardener34]

Your favorites, now that it is cold out, I am trying to think tropical. What are your favorite tropical/hawaiian drinks? You know, the tiki bar drinks.
My favorite is mai tai, but still looking for a good classic recipe. There are lots of conflicting recipes.

[George Chong]

This is very similar to the recipe I would make. Gina's Mai Tai Recipe : Patrick and Gina Neely : Recipes : Food Network I like to mix everything together but the Meyer's dark rum. I like to add it to the top for color.

[ML North]

I don't know that I would classify it as tropical (I guess it technically could be), but a scratch-made margarita is always a killer drink. It has got to be made with gold tequila and served in a tumbler, though.

Pineapple and vodka can do the trick, too.

[matzoman]

I am going with the "Blue Hawaii". Best had on the island of Oahu at sunset, but and old school tiki bar in the Chicago burbs on a gray winter day will still get you happy!

[GsisRockks]

Pina Coladas with pineapple, rum, and coconut juice reminds me of a tropical tiki bar drink.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by ML North

I don't know that I would classify it as tropical (I guess it technically could be), but a scratch-made margarita is always a killer drink.

Well ... parts of Mexico are in the tropics!

[gardener34]

Thanks all.

[Natural510]

Well, you can't get any more classic than the original mai tai, created by Trader Vic's in Oakland:
The Real Trader Vics Mai Tai Recipe

[gardener34]

Thanks, nothing would be better than the original... I have tried the mix, pretty good. I am looking for a decent mai tai recipe, but I came across some crazy Tiki blogs and forums with lots of tiki cocktail recipes. I will have to be trying some of these. I remember back in the day my parents would go to places like this: (Trader Vics) and my mom would bring home the paper umbrellas for us.

The AtomicGrog.com Blog | Events, Music, Art, Cocktails, Culture
Tiki Drinks and Food -- Tiki Central

I am a big rum fan, looks like I will have to be stocking up!

[OpenD]

Another classic Trader Vic's style is the Zombie:

1/2 oz 151 proof rum

1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice
1/2 oz apricot brandy
1 tsp sugar
2 oz light rum
1 oz dark rum
1 oz lime juice

Combine all but the 151 rum and shake, pour in a tall glass. Float the 151 rum on top. Garnish with pineapple spear, or fruit spear and sprig of mint and a cherry.