Iconic Beach Cocktails and Where to Get the Original

Learn more about your favorite pool drinks and where they were born.

By: Nick Britsky

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Photo By: EuniceEunny

Blue Hawaiian

The Blue Hawaiian was invented by Harry Yee, who was the head bartender of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, in the 1950s. The drink is still served there today and Harry, 96, still walks around Honolulu. The drink was inspired by the beautiful color of the Pacific Ocean.

Hurricane

A drink that is ubiquitous to the streets of New Orleans is the Hurricane. This passion fruit and rum concoction was first made at Pat O'Brien's. Just like when this bar was a speakeasy in the 1940s, you can order a Hurricane and take it to go.

Mai Tai

The godfather of all tiki drinks is the Mai Tai. Named after the Tahitian word for good, this cocktail was invented by Victor J. Bergeron of Trader Vic's fame in 1944. Victor's family is still at the helm of the brand and now Trader Vic's has locations worldwide where you can order the drink.

Pina Colada

The Pina Colada takes rum, coconut milk and pineapple juice then blends it with ice to make the beverage created in 1978. Ramon Portas Mingot claims to be the creator of this drink and you can still find it served today at the spot he worked, the Barrachina Restaurant, in the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico.

Painkiller

One of the few major trademarked drinks of the cocktail world is the Painkiller. Created in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar, the drink is still on the menu and features Pusser's Rum, which owns the trademark.

Jungle Bird

The Jungle Bird bucks the trend of many tiki drinks by adding a bitter component, Campari. It was created in the 1970s at the Kuala Lampur Hilton and you can still order it at their Chambers Bar.

Rum Runner

A cocktail made out of necessity, Tiki John of the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar, had an excess of rum to move. He created the Rum Runner in the 1950s and you can still order this drink at the newly remodeled bar today.

Navy Grog

Grog refered to a variety of drinks in the 1700s. Many bartenders have made variations over the years and Latitude 29 has a great one. Rumor has it, this cocktail was one of Frank Sinatra's favorites.

Singapore Sling

This drink dates back to the early 1900s and was created by Ngiam Tong Boon of the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Still served today, this drink features gin and a signature red color from the addition of cherry liqueur and grenadine.

Rum Swizzle

Heralded as Bermuda's National Drink, the Rum Swizzle has claims in many bars, such as the Saint Kitts Shipwreck bar. What makes the drink official is the swizzling by a real swizzle stick from the actual Swizzle Stick Tree (Quararibea turbinata).

Zombie

The Zombie is my personal favorite beach drink and is from the mind of Donn Beach who founded Don the Beachcomber restaurant. This drink has a list of ingredients but, like most tiki cocktails, features rum. While first mixed in the 1930s, you can find them served at Don the Beachcomber any day of the week.

Royal Navy Fog Cutter

Created by Tony Ramos of Don the Beachcomber tiki bar, this cocktail contains both rum and gin for a potent combo. This one goes back to the height of tiki in the 1950s and could be seen at many bars. Don't be fooled, Tony did not invent the Ramo's Gin Fizz as that drink goes back to the 1800s.

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Iconic Beach Cocktails and Where to Get the Original

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Blue Hawaiian

Hurricane

Mai Tai

Pina Colada

Painkiller

Jungle Bird

Rum Runner

Navy Grog

Singapore Sling

Rum Swizzle

Zombie

Royal Navy Fog Cutter

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