Give It Mahalo You Got

Give It Mahalo You Got leans into bright citrus, warm spice, and ripe fruit, balanced by a thoughtful mix of rums and bitters. It’s complex without being fussy, with enough depth to keep each sip interesting and enough brightness to make it feel easy and fun.

Created by Jes Gutierrez Switaj as part of The Sauceress’ 2020 12 Days of Tiki series, this cocktail is built for warm nights, good playlists, and drinks that don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s bold, well balanced, and unapologetically tropical in the best way.

The Secret to a More Balanced Tiki Cocktail

What makes this tiki cocktail work is balance instead of excess. Bright citrus keeps the drink lively, while a layered rum base adds warmth and structure without weighing it down.

Banana liqueur and allspice bring depth and richness, but in measured doses that keep the drink from drifting into sweetness. The flavors stay distinct and intentional, each one doing its job without competing for attention.

The bitters are what pull everything together. They add spice and backbone, keeping the fruit in check and giving the cocktail its shape. The result is a tropical drink that feels composed and thoughtful, perfect for ringing in the New Year or bringing a little island energy home without overdoing it.

Give It Mahalo You Got

📸: Jes Gutierrez-Switaj
This recipe makes one serving.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Havana Club Especial
• .5 oz Cacao Rum
• .5 oz Blood Orange Aperitivo (@matchbookdistilling)
• .25 oz Black Ginger Rum (@spytailrum)
• .25 oz Banana Liqueur (@giffardusa)
• .25 oz Luxardo Amaretto
• .25 oz Creme de Mure
• .25 oz Allspice Dram
• 5 oz Vanilla Liqueur
• Bar Spoon El Guapo® Ginger Syrup
• 3 oz Homemade Juice Blend (she used pineapple, guava, pomegranate & blood orange)
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• 6 dashes El Guapo® Polynesian Kiss Bitters
• 6 dashes El Guapo® Fuego Bitters
• 6 dashes El Guapo® Holiday Pie Bitters
• Key Limes, Pineapple Fronds, Dehydrated Blood Orange Wheels, Star Fruit & Edible Flowers, to garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Fill the glasses: Fill two glasses with nugget ice.
2. Build the drink: In a cocktail shaker, add ice and pour in all ingredients except the bitters.
3. Shake: Shake vigorously until the shaker is very cold and the drink is well chilled.
4. Strain: Strain half of the mixture into each prepared glass.
5. Add bitters: Top each drink with half of each bitters.
6. Garnish and serve: Garnish like your life depends on it and serve immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What does Give It Mahalo You Got taste like?
It’s bright, tropical, and layered. You’ll get citrus up front, ripe fruit through the middle, and warm spice on the finish from the bitters and allspice notes.

Is this cocktail very sweet?
No. While there’s plenty of fruit character, the balance of citrus, rum, and bitters keeps it from leaning cloying. It’s structured and refreshing, not sugary.

Can I substitute the rums?
Yes. This recipe works best with a blend of light and aged rum, but you can adjust based on what you have. Aim for balance rather than intensity from any single bottle.

Can I batch this cocktail for a group?
Yes. Multiply the ingredients as needed and mix everything except the bitters ahead of time. Add ice, strain, and finish with bitters just before serving.

Do the bitters really matter here?
Absolutely. The bitters add depth and spice that tie the fruit and rum together. Skipping them will flatten the drink.

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