We’re huge fans of tropical drinks here at New Deal, so much so that we had to make another installment of our tropical cocktail recipe roundup. Vibrant fruits paired with an endless assortment of spices create delicious and energetic cocktails that are simultaneously juicy, tart, refreshing, and strong. These transportive beverages are a great escape when it’s chilly outside, and they’re also wonderful for beating the heat when the temperatures rise. We’ve included some classics, should-be classics, and several tropical options for those who prefer vodka, gin, or whiskey to rum.
Let’s start with some classics. When was the last time you had a Blue Hawaii? Created at a Honolulu hotel in 1957, this refreshing, vibrantly colored cocktail stands the test of time. It features pineapple juice, New Deal Vodka, Distiller’s Cut Rum, and gets its color from the orange-flavored blue curaçao.
But don’t confuse it with the creamy, similarly named Blue Hawaiian. This delightful cocktail calls for cream of coconut, and luckily, we carry a fabulous coconut syrup from the popular Liquid Alchemist line of syrups in the Bottle Shop. Typically, coconut mixes are either super oily or super artificial, but this one is creamy (without being heavy), delicious, and bright.
It's the secret ingredient to the best dang Piña Colada you’ve probably ever had. Our muddled Piña Colada is quick, tasty, and full of nothing but the good stuff. It’s perfect for a summer sunset.
However, if you’re a fan of turning up the heat, you might want to try our Hot Monkey Piña Colada for a spicy, icy treat. The combo of creamy coconut, sweet pineapple and smoky Southwestern chile peppers is *chef's kiss*!
And if you’re not against the blender route, we’d suggest a Scorpion. Created by the one and only Trader Vic, this slushy mix of Rum, Brandy, citrus, and almond-based orgeat is a retooled recipe from his 1972 cocktail book.
This next one isn't a classic, but it certainly should be. Tropical drinks are known for pairing vibrant fruit juices with baking spices, and Tan Lines is a great example. It’s a wonderfully fresh, frothy combination of rum, pear brandy, pineapple, and cinnamon, perfect for kicking back and relaxing.
For another great flavor combo, you must try our Imaginary Vacation—the aromatic Bartlett pear eau de vie and muddled mango pair flawlessly with grated cinnamon. And while you have the Pear Brandy out, you might want to consider stirring up a Pineapple Express.
This tropical Old Fashioned is handy on gloomy or chilly days when you want to channel the island breeze. The pear and pineapple bring sunshine, while the Old Tom Gin adds toasty barrel notes.
How do you feel about passion fruit? We think it’s a fabulous cocktail ingredient and love it with vodka in Cross the Bridge. This drink is tart, bright, and super refreshing. Wondering where the heck you’ll find passionfruit in the PNW? We used Pitaya Foods' frozen passion fruit cubes, available at Sheridan or Whole Foods.
You might also like Talk About the Passion, which includes just three ingredients—Daddy’s Passion Fruit Vanilla Syrup, fresh lemon juice, and our crisp, clean Portland 90 Vodka.
And if the vanilla-passion fruit combo sounds tasty (trust us, it is), you should shake up a tall, fizzy Siren’s Song with a Cascara Liqueur float.
Speaking of tall and fizzy, have you tried a Suffering Bastard? Adapted from Martin Cate’s Smuggler’s Cove recipe, this gin, brandy, and ginger beer drink has origins dating back to a 1942 Cairo hotel. But maybe you’d prefer a bubbly rum drink brimming with pineapple, cinnamon, and vanilla flavors?
If so, the Pineapple Princess is for you! You might be happy to know that it’s super easy to make— it’s built in the glass, meaning no shaking required. Garnish with an aromatic cinnamon stick or a colorful cocktail umbrella, and put on the namesake tune while you sip your way to a tropical paradise.
Perhaps you were hoping for a tropical whiskey cocktail? You’re in luck— we’ve included two! The Cinny Sour features our Distiller’s Reserve Rye, fresh-squeezed grapefruit, and Daddy’s fabulous Cinnamon Demerara Syrup.
Or, maybe you’d rather try the Rye-Kiki? This combination of earthy rye whiskey, almond-based orgeat syrup, pineapple juice, and Peychaud’s Bitters will whisk-ey you away to where the palm trees sway.
Any gin fans out there? You may be pleased to know that there are several tropical options available for you as well. The Saturn is probably the most popular gin-based tiki drink—you should try this Pineapple Saturn, made with our Portland Dry Gin 33 and Tropical Pineapple Syrup. It is truly delicious. And while gin might not be the only spirit in the Fog Cutter, this classic combines several flavors for one fabulous result. Plus, it’s a great excuse to break out your tiki mug collection.
But what about our New Deal Gin No. 1, you ask? We think it’s perfect in the Slabtown Sling, our Pacific Northwest take on another popular gin-based tiki drink. And Suddenly Summer, also made with Gin No. 1, says it all with its big mango flavor. It’s like sipping sunshine from a glass!
Whether you’re chasing the sun or just need a little mental vacation, these tropical cocktails made with New Deal spirits are here to whisk you away—no passport required. From spicy riffs on tiki classics to juicy, fruit-forward favorites, there’s a tropical tipple for every kind of drinker in this roundup. Ready to shake one up? Swing by the New Deal Bottle Shop to stock your home bar with our craft spirits, syrups, and mixers, or place a Local Pickup order online, and we’ll have your island essentials ready to go.