A Luau Party is a summertime classic; so why not plan one? Throw up some tiki torches, and festive decorations, along with some luau party supplies, and you have a great party in the works! Hand out some leis and other luau accessories to your guests when they arrive, and get ready for fun!
A way to ensure a successful party is to have great refreshments. At a luau, when the weather is hot, cool and icy drinks will be total crowd-pleasers. Here are two easy and delicious cocktails that will fit in with your tropical paradise theme, and can be made ahead of time, so that you can focus on having fun at your party! Now I have included one “spiked” recipe, and one kid-friendly one. Both of these recipes can be made for the other crowd, by eliminating or adding alcohol. Just make sure you label any punch that has alcohol in it, so that people that serve themselves will know what they are getting into. Safety First! (Fruity and delicious cocktails can sneak up on party goers pretty quickly, if they are not careful!)
This cocktail was first seen in Bon Appetit magazine, and was inspired after a cocktail served at the famous Lahaina Luau, straight from the Hawaiian Islands! There are a couple of variations, but we think this one is particularly delicious, and will add some truly tropical flair to your luau party!
Honey Girl Cocktail
Ingredients
2/3 cup guava juice
2/3 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup frozen sliced strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed in blender
Directions
Chill the juice varieties and the vodka before making. Combine all ingredients in a glass punchbowl, over ice if desired. Garnish with lemon slices, or fresh strawberry halves (either in the punchbowl, or in each glass, depending on how you’re serving it).
Another equally delicious, and easy recipe is for this luau punch recipe. When you make this at your next luau, or backyard barbecue, grownups and kids alike will love it! Remember, this recipe requires a little bit of advance planning to really shine. It is best when served at a “slushy” consistency, and for that, you need to freeze it overnight. Now it’s not the end of the world, if you don’t; you can always mix it, and then pour it over ice in your punch bowl, so don’t panic if you forget to freeze it the day before, amidst your party preparations! But if you can manage it, it will be even more fantastic, when served partially frozen!
Family-Friendly Luau Punch
Ingredients
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 liters lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
Directions:
1. In an empty gallon milk jug or pitcher, pour pineapple juice and orange juice concentrate. Shake to mix and pour in the lemon-lime soda. You may need to let the fizz settle and then return to pouring. This will fill up the gallon. Freeze overnight.
2. Let the punch start to thaw 2 hours before serving. Serve slushy.
3. Pour into a punchbowl, or glass pitcher, and garnish with fresh tropical fruit slices, e.g. mango, oranges, lemons, limes if you like!
What are your favorite summertime drink recipes? Do you like good old-fashioned lemonade, or something a little more exotic like roasted brown rice iced tea (no seriously, that’s a real thing. It’s delicious!) Have we left your favorite tropical drink recipe out?
