The Hai Karate is a rum based cocktail loaded with lots of refreshing citrus. You’re going to love it!
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I am fascinated by America’s fascination with the tiki culture in the 1950’s and 60’s. One of the things I acquired from my grandmother was several boxes of her barware. It was loaded with all sorts of tiki items! These mugs were from The Mainlander in St. Louis, Missouri. It was difficult to find out information about The Mainlander, but apparently it was Tiki club in Clayton Missouri during the late 1960’s. The green tiki stir sticks though they aren’t marked, probably came from Trader Vic’s.
According to Wikipedia, the Tiki culture was introduced to the United States in the 1930’s with the opening of Don the Beachcomber, a Polynesian-themed restaurant in Hollywood, CA. A few years after that, Victor Bergeron opened up Trader Vic’s in Oakland and then the restaurants spread worldwide.
It was after World War II though that the obsession with all things tiki really took over. Servicemen came home with stories of the South Pacific. This, coupled with the musical South Pacific and Hawaii becoming a state in 1959 all fueled the Tiki fire!
With the warm weather we’ve been having, I was in the mood for a little Tiki inspiration myself. While a Mai Tai is always appreciated, I looked to venture out a little more. Doing a little web searching, led me to The Hai Karate at Serious Eats. Featuring rum, lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, maple syrup and Angostura Bitters – I was assured a citrusy refreshing cocktail. I had all of these things available, so I was good to go. Did I tell you my freezing tip for cocktails? I buy big bottles of pineapple juice and freeze it in plastic baggies filled with one cup. I freeze them flat so they store easily in my freezer and whenever a recipe calls for some pineapple juice, I am all set! This drink was wonderfully refreshing, nice and citrusy!
The Hai Karate |Tipsy Tuesday
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rum
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce fresh orange juice
- 1 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and stir to incorporate the maple syrup. Fill with ice and shake for 10 seconds and pour, unstrained into your favorite Tiki mug. Add more ice if you need to. Garnish with a lime wedge, orange slice and a cherry.
If you’d like to create your own Hai Karate, here are a few things you might like (affiliate links): South Pacific
Sounds great! I’m a big fan of all things Tiki. This made me think of my dad – he didn’t drink, but he did have a bottle of Hai Karate cologne when I was growing up. Will be trying this one!
Me too!
So I grew up in upper middle class America during that time. My Dad traded his Old Spice in for Hai Karate aftershave… and I can remember many tiki parties out by our pool. I am definitely going to make this drink! Maybe I’ll even throw a tiki party.
We really need to live closer!
Loved seeing all your Grandma’s barware! And learning some history. And this great refreshing recipe!!! Thanks Pam.
You’re welcome!
OK, number one….look at you dropping some knowledge!! I love it! I had no idea there was a big tiki movement. Number two…what a great tip for pineapple juice!! Not only is it always there but frozen to keep your drinks cool!! And number three…..yum yum in my tum tum! This sounds phenomenal!!
I knew you’d appreciate the pineapple tip!
These Hai Karates look citrusy and refreshing. That’s my kind of cocktail. Yum.
It’s really yummy!
I love tiki drinks and can’t wait to try this one. I have cool glasses and everything!
Take some photos!
These drinks look amazing. Wish I has some right now! Thanks for hosting and letting me know about Tipsy Tuesday! 🙂
Thanks for joining in!
My mother-in-law had these same glasses. I wish I would have kept them when I had the chance! I wonder if she ever went to the bar in Clayton. The drink looks delicious!
Oh, it’s too bad you don’t still have them!
I’m obsessed with all things Tiki right now. Love this cocktail!
Me too!
Sounds like a great refreshing drink for upcoming summer parties. Thanks for linking up at #HomeMattersParty
Is it terrible that it’s not even 8 a.m and these sound fantastic?! I’m loving those tiki glasses too!
Love this! Love these glasses as well!!
OMG! Your grandma’s tiki collection is awesome! I just grinned the whole time I read this post. Great easy recipe too — maybe harder to find the cool tiki stuff but a girl can dream! Cheers!
Uhhh YUM! I love tiki. I can imagine how fun it must’ve been back then when it was a really big thing. These cups are so cool. I’m definitely going to have to try this drink tonight. I need a mini at home vacation!
An OH MY moment for sure. I’m from a suburb of St. Louis and I remember my parents going to The Mainlander and always bringing home artifacts we got such a kick out of! I’m working on a Pina Colada myself that’s a step above the rest but in the meantime this drink would really quench my thirst; sounds terrific.