Polynesian Sour

Though there's no traditional spirit from Hawaii or the Polynesian islands, La Grande Passion is probably the the closest a liqueur has come to being Hawaiian. It is, however, French and it is also out of production. I made my own version with armagnac and passion fruit. Now we have the most tropical of Sours ready for consumption on Waikiki Beach or just in your own backyard (or mine.) 

There's a lot going on here: sour lemon and orange juice backed by passionfruit's acidic bitterness, and soft, round armagnac and sweet sugar cane from rum. I'm using the Vitae Platinum rum again with it's light flavor and smooth body. Altogether, you get the impression of something very familiar--because it is just a sweet Sour--and something wholly exotic you've never experienced before.

• 1 1/2 oz. light rum (Vitae Platinum used)
• 1/2 oz. La Grande Passion (homemade recipe used)
• 1 oz. orange juice
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• 1/2 tsp. sugar syrup (or rock candy syrup made thicker with a rich sugar)
• pineapple slice

Combine all ingredients except pineapple slice in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Sour glass and garnish with the pineapple slice. 

Polynesian Cocktail

The Polynesian Cocktail is really an attempt at making a cocktail taste tropical with traditional bar ingredients. There are no native Polynesian spirits, so vodka is an acceptable base. The flavor comes from cherry brandy, which would be very rich if it wasn't for the citrus juices.

In the photo I'm paying homage to Duke Kahanamoku, the famous Hawaiian surfer, with this necklace of shells and coaster. These ideas are loosely connected to the theme of Polynesia. 

• 2 oz. vodka (Divine Clarity used)
• 1 oz. cherry brandy (Heering used)
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• lime wedge 
• sugar

Rim a cocktail glass with sugar. Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime wedge.

Polynesian Sweet and Sour (Non-Alcoholic)

Not a bad tropical mocktail with plenty of tangy flavors. You'll feel like you got the Polynesian Sour, the light rum drink from which this virgin version originates. It is definitely sweet, though. Orange juice and guava nectar are all the sugar that this mocktail needs to balance the lemon juice.

• 2 oz. guava nectar
• 2 oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. orange juice

 Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.