🎉 Introduction
Ready to shake things up with a drink that’s as stunning as it is delicious? Meet the Royal Hawaiian Cocktail — a vibrant, tropical, tiki-inspired sipper that combines the botanical beauty of indigo gin with sweet pineapple juice, zesty lemon, and the lush almond flavor of orgeat syrup.
Originally developed in the 1920s at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, this cocktail is timelessly elegant, unexpectedly smooth, and visually dazzling — especially when made with Empress 1908 gin, which gives it a mesmerizing purple hue that shifts with citrus.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a backyard luau, or just craving an exotic escape in a glass, this cocktail is your ticket to paradise in a coupe.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Bar strainer
- Coupe or martini glass
- Knife and cutting board (for pineapple slice)
- Ice
- Optional: small plate for rimming with sugar or salt
🍹 Tiki cocktails are all about flair and flavor — make sure your glassware brings the vibe!
🛒 Ingredients
🍍 For One Royal Hawaiian Cocktail
- 1 ½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin (or your favorite botanical gin)
- 2 ½ oz pineapple juice (fresh or cold-pressed for best flavor)
- ½ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ oz orgeat syrup (almond-based syrup, a tiki classic)
- 1 pineapple slice, for garnish
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prepare Your Glassware
- Chill your coupe or martini glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water while you mix.
Step 2: Shake the Cocktail
- Fill your shaker halfway with ice.
- Add:
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 2 ½ oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz orgeat syrup
- Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the shaker is ice-cold.
Step 3: Strain & Serve
- Discard ice from the glass if chilling.
- Strain the shaken cocktail into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple slice on the rim or a wedge floating on top.
🌈 Watch the color shift from deep indigo to blush as the citrus hits the gin — it’s cocktail magic.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Yield: 1 cocktail
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Mix Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: ~7 minutes
Great as a pre-dinner aperitif, signature party drink, or dreamy afternoon sipper.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Short-Term Storage
- You can pre-mix the pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orgeat up to 1 day ahead.
- Store in the refrigerator and shake with ice and gin right before serving.
Batch It!
- Multiply all ingredients by the number of servings.
- Mix and chill in a pitcher.
- Shake individual servings with ice when ready to serve.
⚠️ Never store a pre-mixed drink with ice — it’ll dilute and dull the flavor.
🥄 Variations
- 💐 Lavender Twist – Add 2 drops of lavender bitters for floral flair.
- 🌿 Herbal Option – Use basil or mint leaves in the shaker for a fresh herbal note.
- 🍓 Berry Royal – Muddle raspberries before shaking for a fruity, sweet variation.
- 🥥 Tropical Creamy – Add 1 tbsp coconut milk or cream for a tiki-style dessert drink.
- 🍾 Sparkling Royal – Top with prosecco for a bubbly brunch cocktail.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What is orgeat syrup?
Orgeat is a sweet almond syrup with a hint of orange blossom or rose water, essential in tiki drinks.
2. Can I use another gin instead of Empress 1908?
Yes! Any quality botanical gin will work — but Empress gives that dramatic color shift.
3. Can I substitute lemon juice with lime juice?
Absolutely. Lime adds a sharper edge that pairs well with tropical flavors.
4. Is this drink sweet or tart?
It strikes a perfect balance — the pineapple and orgeat bring sweetness, while the lemon keeps it crisp.
5. What food pairs well with the Royal Hawaiian?
It’s perfect with grilled shrimp, poke bowls, teriyaki chicken, or spicy pineapple salsa.
6. Is this considered a strong cocktail?
It’s moderate — the gin is the only alcohol, and the juices balance it nicely.
7. Can I make it non-alcoholic?
Yes! Substitute gin with tonic water or botanical zero-proof spirits.
8. How do I make it creamier?
Add a splash of coconut milk or a shake of egg white for foam and texture.
9. What glass should I use?
Traditionally served in a coupe or martini glass, but it’s also lovely in tiki mugs or rocks glasses.
10. Can I batch this cocktail for a crowd?
Absolutely. Mix everything except the gin ahead, then shake per serving or mix chilled for punch bowls.
🏁 Conclusion
The Royal Hawaiian Cocktail is a tropical escape in every sip — blending exotic ingredients, colorful presentation, and citrusy refreshment. It’s elegant enough for cocktail parties, playful enough for backyard barbecues, and refreshing enough to be your go-to warm-weather drink.
With its bright pineapple flavor, silky almond undertones, and smooth botanical finish, this is a must-try drink for every cocktail enthusiast or curious sipper.
Royal Hawaiian Cocktail – A Must-Try Tiki-Inspired Drink with Gin, Orgeat & Pineapple
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Chill your coupe or martini glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water while you mix.
- Fill your shaker halfway with ice.
- Add:
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 2 ½ oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz orgeat syrup
- Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the shaker is ice-cold.
- Discard ice from the glass if chilling.
- Strain the shaken cocktail into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple slice on the rim or a wedge floating on top.
Notes
You can pre-mix the pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orgeat up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and shake with ice and gin right before serving. Batch It!
Multiply all ingredients by the number of servings. Mix and chill in a pitcher. Shake individual servings with ice when ready to serve. ⚠️ Never store a pre-mixed drink with ice — it’ll dilute and dull the flavor. 🥄 Variations 💐 Lavender Twist – Add 2 drops of lavender bitters for floral flair. 🌿 Herbal Option – Use basil or mint leaves in the shaker for a fresh herbal note. 🍓 Berry Royal – Muddle raspberries before shaking for a fruity, sweet variation. 🥥 Tropical Creamy – Add 1 tbsp coconut milk or cream for a tiki-style dessert drink. 🍾 Sparkling Royal – Top with prosecco for a bubbly brunch cocktail. ❓ 10 FAQs 1. What is orgeat syrup?
Orgeat is a sweet almond syrup with a hint of orange blossom or rose water, essential in tiki drinks. 2. Can I use another gin instead of Empress 1908?
Yes! Any quality botanical gin will work — but Empress gives that dramatic color shift. 3. Can I substitute lemon juice with lime juice?
Absolutely. Lime adds a sharper edge that pairs well with tropical flavors. 4. Is this drink sweet or tart?
It strikes a perfect balance — the pineapple and orgeat bring sweetness, while the lemon keeps it crisp. 5. What food pairs well with the Royal Hawaiian?
It’s perfect with grilled shrimp, poke bowls, teriyaki chicken, or spicy pineapple salsa. 6. Is this considered a strong cocktail?
It’s moderate — the gin is the only alcohol, and the juices balance it nicely. 7. Can I make it non-alcoholic?
Yes! Substitute gin with tonic water or botanical zero-proof spirits. 8. How do I make it creamier?
Add a splash of coconut milk or a shake of egg white for foam and texture. 9. What glass should I use?
Traditionally served in a coupe or martini glass, but it’s also lovely in tiki mugs or rocks glasses. 10. Can I batch this cocktail for a crowd?
Absolutely. Mix everything except the gin ahead, then shake per serving or mix chilled for punch bowls. 🏁 Conclusion The Royal Hawaiian Cocktail is a tropical escape in every sip — blending exotic ingredients, colorful presentation, and citrusy refreshment. It’s elegant enough for cocktail parties, playful enough for backyard barbecues, and refreshing enough to be your go-to warm-weather drink. With its bright pineapple flavor, silky almond undertones, and smooth botanical finish, this is a must-try drink for every cocktail enthusiast or curious sipper.
