Hibiscus Passion Tiki Punch Recipe: Tiki Times and Tropical Vibes

Tiki culture is much more than fun theme bars, tropical decorations, and fruity cocktails. Here at Honolulu Coffee, we continue to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Hawai‘i and the South Pacific. This Tiki Punch recipe aims to share in the aloha created through this heritage. 

MORE ABOUT TIKI

Let’s take a journey back to Polynesian mythology, where tiki symbolized the first human being on Earth. In ancient Hawaiian culture, there was a symbiotic relationship between the gods, the ‘aina (the land), and the kanaka (the people). If the people took care of the land to satisfy the gods, in return, the gods will provide for the people, through the land. In order to communicate with these gods, the alii nui (chiefs that were descended from the gods) used tiki to speak to — and provide offerings for — these gods.

The primary Hawaiian gods represented through tiki are as follows:

Ku - the god of war
Lono - the god of agriculture and peace time
Kane - the god of creation, sunlight, forests, and fresh water
Kanaloa - the god of the sea realm

THE ICONIC HARRY YEE

Photo courtesy of Honolulu Star Advertiser

In the 1930s, Hollywood movies and literature about the South Pacific further fueled the fascination with Polynesian culture. Tiki-themed restaurants, bars, and motels popped up across the country, and people even decorated their homes with tiki masks, bamboo, and other Polynesian-inspired decor.

Harry Yee, an American bartender from Honolulu, Hawaii, was known for spreading tiki culture with his classic Hawaii-themed drinks—creating a sense of locale to the tourist customers visiting the island and across the United States. Some of the popular drinks Yee has introduced include the Blue Hawaii, Banana Daiquiri, and Tapa Punch.

In honor of Harry Yee and his 30+ years of experience as head bartender at the iconic Hawaiian Village Hotel (now known as the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort), we wanted to bring you back to the tiki-times.

Below, you can check out our twist on the classic Tiki Punch made with Firepot’s Hibiscus Elixir Tea (if you're local you can also buy this in our cafes) and Ko Hana Rum.

We hope it’ll take you to a place where you can sit back, relax, and get your dose of vitamin sea. Bon voyage!

Hibiscus Passion Tiki Punch Recipe

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Category

Cocktail

Servings

1

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

2 minutes

This is our twist on the classic Tiki Punch. We use a botanical blend with hibiscus flowers and a local rum to create a unique tropical twist. 

Author:

Honolulu Coffee

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Passion Orange Guava juice

• 0.5 oz. Firepot Hibiscus Elixir

• 0.5 oz. Hibiscus honey syrup (1:1 parts of hot hibiscus tea and honey)

• 2 oz. Ko Hana Rum

• Crushed Ice to taste

• Optional: Tiki Mug and Parasail

Directions

1. To make the botanical blend: Steep 2.5 teaspoons (6g) of Hibiscus Elixir in 1 cup (8oz) of boiling water for 5 minutes and strain.

2. Mix all ingredients, top it off with crushed ice, and serve in your favorite tiki mug!

Recipe Note

Firepot Nomadic Teas
Throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico, hibiscus flowers are more than just an iconic figure in the art of the region—they also make a rejuvenating elixir that restores the body and soul. Firepot Nomadic Tea’s Agua de Flor organic blend includes: hibiscus, rosehips, ginger, licorice root, lemongrass, dried apple, elderberries, orange peel and citrus essential oils. 

To read more about the great work our friends are doing at Firepot Nomadic Teas, click HERE.

Kō Hana Distillers
It all starts with “Kō”, the Hawaiian word for sugar cane. This distillery takes pride in their farm-to-bottle practice—whilst being the ONLY distillery that sources with 100% Hawaii-grown sugarcane. These Kō plants were the progenitors of the remaining heirloom varieties of native Hawaiian sugarcane in existence today. Kō was used in daily living such as medicinal purposes and religious ceremonies. In each bottle of Kō Hana rum, their sincerest hope is to honor and celebrate the Kō they have the privilege to plant, grow, and process. 

To read more Kō Hana Distillers, click HERE.