Cutwater Spirits is one of my favorite distillers and Bali Hai is one of my absolute favorite brunch spots in San Diego ... plus they make the most wickedly awesome Mai Tai this side of Hawaii. The folks at Cutwater Spirits came out of Ballas Point Brewing and are one of the most exciting success stories in San Diego for not only innovation with creating excellent beer and then spirits but also truly understanding marketing and hospitality. Here are some of their Tiki Drink Recipes featuring Bali Hai Rum!
In fact, their new line of Bali Hai rums isn't just one type, but they are all inspirited by Bali Hai Restaurant in the distillery’s native San Diego (Est. 1953).
Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum: The Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum is distilled from pure cane sugar and combined with pineapple and coconut flavors to create the perfect tropical spirit. 40% ABV.
Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Dark: Cutwater Spirits combined their barrel-aged rum, aged four years, along with their white rum to bring out the buttery rich flavors of caramel, toffee, and vanilla in this Tiki spirit. 40% ABV.
Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Monkey: Cutwater Spirits combined their rum with cream, natural banana, cold brew coffee, and cocoa nib flavors for a decadent Tiki spirit that will put you in vacation mode. 18.5% ABV.
Cutwater Bali Hai Day of the Dead Spirit (SEASONAL): Distilled in celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, Cutwater Spirits combined all-natural pure cane sugar with calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) from Guadalajara and added fresh cinnamon, allspice, along with piloncillo post-distillation. The result, a light golden spirit with warm spice — honoring our loved ones. 35% ABV.
Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Holiday Spirit (SEASONAL): It begins with Cutwater’s exceptionally smooth Bali Hai Rum with subtle flavors of pineapple and coconut, which is combined with cream, cinnamon, and a hint of holiday spirit. The result is reminiscent of eggnog, but with a Cutwater tropical twist — just pour, add ice, and enjoy. 20% ABV.
Cutwater Tiki Rum Mai Tai: Cutwater Barrel Aged Rum, Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum, pineapple, coconut, and citrus combine to balance this bright cocktail with an aged depth.
The Bali Hai
2oz Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum
3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1/2oz Ginger Syrup
2oz Fresh Orange Juice
Angostura Bitters
Method:
- Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
- Strain over ice in a tall glass, then garnish with a lime wheel
- Add a straw and finish with 6 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Piña Colada
1.5oz Cutwater White Rum
1oz float Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum
1.5oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
1.5oz Coconut Syrup
.5oz Fresh Lime Juice
Method:
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Add all ingredients except Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum to a cocktail shaker.
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Add crushed ice and give the tin a quick shake then pour into a rocks glass.
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Add more crushed ice and float Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum.
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Garnish with 3 pineapple fronds and a flower.
Tiki Dark Mai Tai
1.5oz Cutwater White Rum
.75oz Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum
1oz float Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum
1oz fresh lime juice
.5oz orgeat almond syrup
.5oz orange liqueur
Method:
- Add all ingredients except Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum to a cocktail shaker with a little crushed ice.
- Give the tin a quick shake, dump into a Mai Tai glass, and top with more crushed ice.
- Float 1oz Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum on top.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and an orange slice.
Bali Hai Daiquiri
2oz Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum
1oz fresh lime juice
.75oz simple syrup
Method:
- Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake and strain into an up glass or on the rocks.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Dark N' Stormy
2oz Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum
.5oz fresh lime juice
Cutwater ginger beer
Method: Add rum and lime juice to tall glass with ice. Top with ginger beer, garnish with a lime wheel.
Light After Dark
2oz Bali Hai Tiki Dark Rum
1oz lime juice
.75oz orange juice
.75oz pineapple juice
.5oz vanilla syrup
Method:
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake until cold and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Barrel of Monkeys
1oz Bali Hai Tiki Monkey
1oz Cutwater Barrel Aged Rum
.75oz vanilla syrup
Method:
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker
- Add ice, shake until cold, and strain over fresh ice
- Garnish with a luxardo cherry and grated nutmeg
Monkey Wrench
3oz Bali Hai Tiki Monkey
1oz Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum
1 banana
Chocolate syrup
Method:
- Blend all ingredients together with ice
- Drizzle chocolate syrup on the side of the glass, and pour
- Garnish with shaved chocolate
Tiki Split
1.5oz Bali Hai Tiki Monkey
.75z Cutwater Barrel Aged Rum
.5oz strawberry syrup
.5oz vanilla syrup
Method:
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker
- Add ice, shake until cold and strain over fresh ice
- Garnish with shaved chocolate and a strawberry
Tiki Rafiki
1oz Bali Hai Tiki Monkey
1.5oz Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum
.75oz coconut syrup
Method:
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until cold.
- Strain over fresh ice, garnish with pineapple leaves.
Monkey Business
1oz Bali Hai Tiki Monkey
1oz Cutwater Vodka
1.5oz coffee (or cold brew)
.5oz cinnamon syrup
Method:
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into chocolate and coffee rimmed cocktail glass.
