These Are The Best Tiki Cocktails of NYC 2025

Hannah M Mizrahi
Oct 2
3 min read

Get swept away with the Best Tiki Cocktails of NYC — crowned at NY Cocktail Expo Sunday, August 17th, 2025, by legendary industry panel icons & cocktail enthusiasts.

Cellar 335: Best Tiki Cocktail 2025

The 2025 NY Cocktail Expo set the stage for a landmark Tiki Throwdown, judged by an esteemed panel of industry icons. Shaking things up with Bull in China Bar Tools, the cocktails on display were more than drinks — they were feats of artistry, daring imagination, and impeccable craftsmanship. Each winner pushes the boundaries of tiki, redefining what tropical elegance can be and ushering in a new era of elevated tiki cocktails!

"Ghost of Christmas Past" - Cellar 335

Probitas Rum

1st Place - Best Tiki Cocktail of the Year 2025

"Summer has been so hot this year and tiki is all about escapism. This drink is inspired by the idea of escaping the summer heat. What is better than escaping summer heat than Christmas? We created this cocktail imagining what we think Santa would drink if he were sitting on the beach. It’s a holiday play on the classic Zombie cocktail."

Probitas Rum, Cinnamon Syrup, Lemon Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Juice,

John D Taylor Velvet Falernum, Barspoon Fernet Branca, Angostura, Absinthe.

Add All Ingredients Into Shaker And A Few Pieces Of Pebble Ice. Whip Until Mixed And Ice Is Melted. Dump Into Christmas Mug, Top With Pebble Ice. Garnish With Mint, Orchid, Lit Cinnamon Stick And Powdered Sugar "Snow."

Peter Arnone, COO & Partner

"Let's Tonka 'Bout It"- Do Not Disturb

El Mayor Tequila

2nd Place - Best Tiki Cocktail of The Year 2025

"The inspiration behind my cocktail 'Let’s Tonka ‘Bout It' comes from both my Filipino heritage and upbringing in Queens, NY. Growing up in Queens meant being surrounded by incredible cultural diversity, but at home, Filipino flavors and traditions were at the center of everything. This drink is a bridge between those two worlds; honoring the flavors I grew up with in my household while also reflecting my personal flair and approach to mixology. In Filipino culture, food and drink are about gathering, celebration, and hospitality. It’s about family. I leaned into ingredients such as calamansi and soursop, while pairing them with Mexican ingredients such as sotol and tequila to create an award winning tiki cocktail. This cocktail represents the pride of being Filipino, resilience of immigrant communities in Queens, and the way tradition + innovation can coexist in a glass."

El Mayor Blanco, Sotol, Soursop, Tonka Bean, Calamansi, Orgeat, Fee Foam, Tonka Bean + Dragonfruit Dust. Shake & Strain into Tiki Mug, Garnish with Dragonfruit Powder And Grated Tonka Bean.

Yvan Dalen, Bar Manager

"Meccha Coleda" - Yawning Cobra

Tanduay Rum

3rd Place Best Tiki Cocktail of the Year 2025

People's Choice Best Tiki Cocktail Of The Year 2025

"The Piña Colada is one of the most iconic cocktails in the Tiki world. In our version, we infuse it with a hint of matcha to give it a refined Japanese twist, and elevate the profile further with the subtle spice and depth of our house-made Shichimi chai tea syrup. The result is a cocktail that’s tropical at heart, but layered with unexpected flavors that surprise and delight."

Tanduay Gold Asian Rum, Tanduay Boracay Coconut Rum, Pineapple & Lime Juice, Housemade Shichimi Spice Chai Tea Syrup, Orgeat, Heavy Cream, Matcha Powder. Shake And Serve With Ice. At The Event We Use Coconut Shell Shaped Chinese Glassware To Match The Coconut Flavor".