The Royal Hawaiian cocktail combines purple gin with pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orgeat syrup for a stunning drink! Garnish it with a fresh pineapple wedge and leaves, and you have an easy crowd-pleasing cocktail. In fact, this tasty tropical drink is one that you'll love serving for any occasion!
Royal Hawaiian Gin Cocktail
Pineapple, orgeat syrup, and gin you ask? Yes, please! They combine wonderfully in this tasty gin cocktail (plus it looks amazing)!!
Whether you're looking for a new summer cocktail to enjoy, or need a bit of tropical inspiration to beat the winter blues, this is just the perfect drink to serve! This is the Empress 1908 Gin version, however, you can use any dry gin you like.
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🌎 Origin
Originally called the "Princess Kaiulani", the drink was first developed in the late 1920s at the famed Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach Hawaii. It wasn't until the 1950s that the hotel made the drink its namesake and started calling it a Royal Hawaiian.
🍹 Ingredients
- Ice - Ice for the shaker and the glass.
- Gin - 1 ½ ounces of gin (Empress 1908 Gin will give the appearance you see, or you can use dry gin).
- Pineapple Juice - 1 ounce of unsweetened pineapple juice.
- Lemon Juice - ½ ounce of lemon juice.
- Orgeat Syrup - ½ ounce of orgeat syrup.
- Pineapple Slice or Wedge (optional) - For garnish.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🍸 Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- In the cocktail shaker add the pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orgeat syrup.
- Close the lid and shake for about 30 seconds.
- Open and strain into a tall collins glass that's filled with ice.
- Slowly pour the gin on the top (this way the alcohol will float).
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge, serve, and enjoy.
I like adding a couple of the pineapple leaves from the crown before serving, just because they look fabulous!
🥂 Cocktail Tips & Variations
- If possible, I recommend using fresh pineapple and lemon juice for the best flavor.
- If you are not a fan of gin, you can achieve a similar-looking cocktail with blue curacao, though your drink won't be as strong.
- Crushed ice can be used in place of ice cubes and will make it easier to layer the drink. However, keep in mind that crushed ice will melt and water down your drink faster than ice cubes.
🍲 Foods To Serve With
For pairing this tropical gin cocktail with just the right appetizers, try some of these ideas!
- Coconut Shrimp
- Wontons
- Steak Rolls
- Teriyaki Noodles
- Pineapple Banana Bread
- Pineapple Strawberry Lemonade Bars
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
❓ Recipe FAQs
Orgeat syrup is a liquid sweetener that is used for drinks. It is made with almonds, sugar, and rose water or orange blossom water which gives it a lovely floral taste.
If you can't find orgeat syrup or don't want to make a trip to the store, try swapping it for Amaretto! The sweet and nutty flavor makes it an excellent substitution. Just keep in mind it has alcohol in it, so your drink will be a little stronger. For the closest flavor to orgeat syrup, try using 2 parts amaretto and 1 part rose water or orange blossom water.
Sure you can. 1908 Empress gin is what gives this drink its stunning lavender color, but using clear gin is still delicious. Your cocktail will be missing some of the floral notes that are in Empress gin, but the orgeat syrup and pineapple juice will still give your drink plenty of flavor.
😋 More Tasty Cocktails
- Old Fashioned Cocktail - Bourbon, bitters, and simple syrup are all you need for this classic cocktail recipe.
- Blue Lagoon Cocktail - This brightly colored vodka cocktail tastes like spiked lemonade!
- Dark n Stormy Cocktail - This flavorful cocktail is made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum and tastes similar to a Moscow mule!
- Witch's Brew Cocktail - A vibrant green cocktail that is perfect for Halloween celebrations!
- Bahama Mama - Transport yourself to the beach with this tropical rum cocktail!
- Irish Coffee - A warm Irish coffee made with Irish whiskey is as delicious in the morning as it is at night!
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📖 Recipe Card
Royal Hawaiian Cocktail
Ingredients
- ice
- 1 oz pineapple juice (unsweetened)
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz orgeat syrup
- 1 ½ oz gin (Empress 1908 Gin)
- pineapple slice (optional garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker add the pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orgeat syrup.
- Close lid and shake for about 30 seconds.
- Open and strain into a tall collins glass that's filled with ice.
- Slowly pour the gin on the top (this way the alcohol will float).
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge, serve, and enjoy.
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