Oddball & Tropical

Explore this collection of Tiki (and Tiki-ish) cocktails calling for unusual bases and ingredients.

Most bartenders are familiar with the classic tropical and Tiki cocktails, from straightforward crowd-pleasers like the Daiquiri to 9-ingredient Night Enders with flaming cinnamon…these are something different!

Read on to check out tropical drinks with unexpected spirit bases like Mezcal and Gin, plus ingredients like Passion Fruit Sorbet.

Lana Kane
Let’s see….Orgeat, Falernum, Allspice Dram, and two types of citrus? Sounds Tiki.
Wait, a Wild Turkey Bourbon base? Shake it up and watch your questions disappear.

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Tropical Itch
This eye-catching sun ray of a drink layers mango and cinnamon atop an unexpected Gin base.

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Golden Girl
Espolon’s Jalisco roots intertwine with Vanilla and Passion Fruit for this dazzling cocktail.

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Wild Jungle
Earthy Montelebos Mezcal shines in this flight of fancy. Jungle Bird fans, take notice!

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Cucumber Margarita
Sure the Margarita isn’t exactly a Tiki drink, but the addition of a full ounce of Cucumber juice makes this decidedly waterfront sipping.

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APL (Averna Pineapple Lime)
This delightful and complex Amaro recipe takes inspiration from another 3-ingredient, acronym sipper: the POG.

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Miami Vice
OK, we know this one’s been a fav for decades, but it made the list for two reasons:
1) It’s a weird drink! Freezing and layering a strawbery Daq on top of a Piña Colada is the kind of stroke of genius that usually arrives during late night bodega runs.
2) The popularity uptick has resulted in modern tweaking (clarified Vices, anyone?). Consider this a sign to try your own spin.