Tiki cocktails no longer conjure an image of sugary drinks served in tacky mugs. City bars have given the tropical sip a hip makeover
House of Eden, Asado
"Tiki cocktails not only add an exotic and vibrant element to the cocktail menu, the nature of the drink also makes it absolutely perfect for our tropical weather," says Trimaan Chandock, Executive Director of Balu Industries, which owns Asado. This Bandra cocktail bar serves its tiki drinks in innovative, customised glassware. From drinks brought to you in ceramic hats, cacti and even treasure chests, your tiki-drinking experience here is bound to be fun.
At Manorama Chambers, near Gaiety Galaxy Junction, SV Road, Bandra (W).
Call 30151882
Cost Rs 345 onwards
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Exotica, The Daily Bar & Kitchen
The ment at thisâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Bandra favourite feat-ures five tiki cocktails. "I was looking for cocktails that were big back in the '40s, and I realised we had to have a menu with tiki drinks," says Rohit Hegde, Head Bartender at The Daily Bar & Kitchen. You could opt for a Mai Tai, which combines white rum, dark rum, orgeat, pineapple and orange juices. This version is different from the original, which was created by Trader Vic to showcase a 17-year-old rum. If you're feeling adventurous, try the Exotica, made with white rum, Malibu, strawberry, banana, pineapple juice and…yoghurt!
At Ground floor, behind Shoppers Stop, Linking Road, Bandra (W).
Call 30150828
Cost Rs 425
Pirate, Myx
"Tiki drinks were once huge, and, like a lot of other things, they're now making a comeback. People aren't actively talking about it, but Polynesian-style drinks are certainly showing up on cocktail menus," says Vikrant Nair, Bartender, Myx. The comeback, he says, might have something to do with the fact that people are moving away from straight drinks. And tiki cocktails, being a blend of tropical fruits and flavoured syrups, are instant hits. "A modern tiki drink uses as many natural ingredients as possible," Nair adds. The Juhu restaurant offers five specially crafted tiki drinks, but can also make classic ones on request. Pick the Pirate, a blend of vodka, apple, cinnamon, hazelnut and cranberry juice, or the Typhoon, which brings together Malibu Grenadine, white rum, orange and tonic water.
At Ground Floor, Navratan Apartment,
AB Nair Road, near Juhu Post Office, Juhu.
Call 33126019
Cost Rs 375
Polynesian Pearl Diver, Bastian
The newest entrant on this list, Bastian has an impressive list of 13 tiki-inspired creations on its menu. The cocktails have been designed keeping with the restaurant's seafood theme, says bar manager Ashitosh Narayanan. "Tiki bars have a more fun vibe, and the drinks use fresh ingredients. Even the syrups we use are made in-house," he adds. As expected, the drinks come in interesting glassware, and the bar manager is happy to let you pick your own tiki mug, in which he will serve you a surprise drink. If you'd rather skip the surprise, pick from the menu. The Polynesian Pearl Diver (you might remember it from Django Unchained) blends rum, lime, fresh orange juice, honey butter, vanilla syrup and bitters.
At B/1, New Kamal Building, opposite National College, Linking Road, Bandra (W).
Call 30151063
Cost Rs 350 onwards
Captain Sparrow, AnnCensored
This Lower Parel eatery is a great place to head to for a post-work drink. Try the summery I Like To Move It (gold, white and dark rums, pineapple juice, orange juice and coconut cream) or the Captain Sparrow (vodka, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut cream, gingerbread syrup). AnnCensored has four other tiki cocktails on its menu — Shipping to Barbados, Pirates Look at 40, Rise of the Missionaries, and Black Beard.
At Trade World, C Wing, Kamala Mills, Tulsi Pipe Road, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel.
Call 7827348765
Cosat Rs 395 onwards
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