Guests at Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii can sip and savor authentic cocktail recipes inspired by Island lore. Starwood’s bartender specialists and mixologists draw from local culture and fresh Island ingredients to infuse timeless elements and refreshing twists on old favorites, in an authentic, artisanal manner.
Available now is a collection of 11 signature cocktail recipes from Starwood’s 11 hotels and resorts in Hawaii, plus a 12th bonus recipe. Suitable for at-home entertaining, each of the “Can’t-Miss Cocktails” is accompanied by a brief story explaining the drink’s origins and island-inspired ingredients. “Cocktail Culture, Can’t-Miss Cocktails from Starwood Hotels & Resorts” is available for download at starwoodhotelshawaii.com/cocktail-culture.
It is the ultimate “cocktail crawl,” as this special selection presents ways to experience the rich flavors of world-famous Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, coconut, mango, passion fruit and more, all grown in Hawaii’s lava-rich soil, artfully prepared and packed with flavor and culinary history. The unique creations showcase local libations such as Ocean Vodka, handcrafted in Hawaii and the only vodka in the world distilled from organic sugar cane and blended with deep ocean mineral water, as well as Okolehao Liqueur, made from Hawaii’s legendary ti root moonshine.
The featured “Can’t-Miss Cocktails” are:
The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa’s Maui Mist, which features colorful layers of tropical fruit juices, Malibu Rum and Midori Liqueur that resemble the rainbows that hover above the West Maui mountains.
The Sailor Jerry Volcano at The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas, which packs a flavorful punch and takes its inspiration from two periods in Hawaii’s history – the World War II era and the Islands’ whaling days.
The Nutty Hawaiian at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, a decadent, liquid dessert cocktail and the perfect way to finish off a delicious meal. The mixture of Macadamia Nut Liqueur, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream, coconut syrup and Hershey’s liquid chocolate is a delicious way to celebrate Maui’s agricultural bounty.
The Royal Mai Tai, the signature cocktail at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, which holds a prominent role in the Mai Tai’s history. In 1953, the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” became the first place in Hawaii to serve the Mai Tai, following the drink’s creation in 1944 by “Trader Vic” Bergeron.
The Splash Coco-Mac Coffee at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, which was inspired by stories of Princess Victoria Kaiulani and how she loved to invite family, friends and dignitaries to Ainahau, her summer retreat where the hotel now stands. This frothy delicious ice cream drink is evocative of the Victorian era and combines the tastes of Kona coffee, macadamia nuts and coconut. It’s now served poolside for all to enjoy.
The Sheraton Waikiki’s Tiki Torch, inspired by torches used to light the way under starry skies, is a refreshing, fiery blend of fresh Hawaiian ingredients and sophisticated spirits from RumFire Waikiki, which boasts over 100 rums, the largest selection in Hawaii.
The Lilikoi & Coconut Mojito at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, a refreshing blend of exotic flavors featuring locally owned Kai Coconut Pandan Vodka, hydrating coconut water, fresh mint and a touch of lilikoi (passion fruit).
The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s Aloha Mary, inspired by the unforgettable 1958 epic, South Pacific, which was filmed on the island of Kauai. The Aloha Mary combines ingredients sourced around the Pacific Rim, such as Siracha, wasabi, Ocean Vodka and smoked guava wood sea salt. This bold cocktail pays tribute to the classic Bloody Mary, which was invented in the Kong Cole Bar at the St. Regis landmark hotel in New York and is today the signature cocktail of the St. Regis brand.
The Nanea-Tini at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, which captures the bounty of Kauai’s North Shore in a single glass, with its sweet dash of agave nectar, pineapple, lime and Kai Coconut Sochu.
The RumFire Colada at the Sheraton Kauai Resort, which draws on Kauai’s rich legacy of sugar cane plantations with two types of rum, blended with pineapple, coconut and citrus flavors.
The Kona Manhattan, which brings a new level of sophistication to the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. This fresh island-style twist on a cocktail classic combines the traditional Manhattan with local libations such as Mama’s Kona Coffee Espresso and Guava-Grape dessert wine from Volcano Winery.