Paradise, Hawaiian Style

In Jeff “Beachbum” Berry’s Tiki tome Sippin’ Safari, the author makes this astute observation: “The worse things get historically, the better things get for Tiki.” I wholeheartedly agree, which is perhaps why I’m planning to attend my first Tiki conference in a few weeks, the Arizona Tiki Oasis. Democracy may be crumbling, the Constitution may have been lit on fire (along with my 401K), but for four days, I get to escape into a mid-century modern hotel with a rum cocktail and a caftan.  The best Tiki bars offer an immersive experience, as do the films I plan on featuring this month. First up: Paradise, Hawaiian Style (Disc/Download).

While not quite as memorable as Blue Hawaii, Elvis’s third cinematic trip to the islands offers a fun, picture-postcard version of Hawaii. Playing a Lothario helicopter pilot, he shuttles businessmen and tourists from island to island along with his buddy and sometimes the buddy’s precocious child (played by the sassy, charming Donna Butterworth). Instead of a girl in every port, Elvis has a girl behind the front desk of every hotel. Eagle-eyed viewers may recognize the now defunct Coco Palms resort from Blue Hawaii featured once again, but there are also some great shots of the bygone Hanalei Plantation resort and its mountain funicular. Imagine, taking a ride straight into the bar! There’s not much happening here in terms of plot, but that’s okay. Sometimes, I just want to see cute 1960s bikinis and pretty scenery. Watching Elvis try to land a helicopter full of dogs is an added bonus.

I tried Sippin’ Safari’s recipe for the Hanalei Plantation’s House Mix, for which you’ll need the following:

4 oz Pineapple Juice

4 oz Guava Nectar

4 oz Orange Juice

4 oz Orgeat

1 oz Simple Syrup

1 oz Passion Fruit Juice

12 oz Lemon Juice

This makes a quart, which I’ve bottled for future cocktails. But while watching Paradise, Hawaiian Style, I recommend drinking this Bali Hai cocktail.

Bali Hai

1 oz White Puerto Rican Rum

2 oz Hanalei House Mix

2 oz Champagne

Combine rum and Hanalei House Mix in a shaker filled 2/3 with ice. Shake to chill, then pour entire contents into a glass. Top with champagne and garnish with a pineapple chunk and flower*.

*I use these washable faux orchids that are so pretty and fun!

Also a great cocktail to enjoy if you’re watching South Pacific, this drink will transport you to Kauai and give new meaning to the movie’s best line: “Are you out of your pineapple pickin’ mind?!” Frankly, you’d have to be to not enjoy Tiki culture. It’s storytelling in cocktail form, and even when the plot is thin, the vibes are everything. Cheers!