These Are The Best Tiki Cocktails of NYC 2026

Oct 9

3 min read

Discover the Best Tiki Cocktails of NYC 2026, where tropical flavors, bold mixology, & creative cocktail craftsmanship take center stage at NY Cocktail Expo.

Jade & Clover 2nd Place Best Tiki Cocktail 2026

The 2026 NY Cocktail Expo brought tropical creativity to the forefront with its signature Tiki Throwdown, judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts. In partnership with Bull in China Bar Tools, the competition showcased inventive flavor combinations, striking presentations, & exceptional mixology. From bold tropical twists to elevated Tiki classics, this year’s contenders demonstrated the artistry and innovation shaping NYC’s vibrant cocktail scene.

"SLINGIN' RHYTHM" - Tommy Tee

STARR Rum & Kota Pandan Liqueur

1st Place - Best Tiki Cocktail of the Year 2026

"Thailand’s iconic mango sticky rice & the classic Singapore Sling, "Slingin’ Rhythm" reimagined through the spirit of Tiki. It unfolds as a voyage beginning in the Caribbean—the spiritual home of rum—sailing through the imaginative world of Tiki before arriving in Thailand. There, the journey uncovers a delicious hidden treasure: mango, sticky rice, & fragrant pandan. This discovery brings the rum-driven tradition of Tiki together with the distinctive flavors & ingredients of Thailand, bringing together pandan–toasted rice-infused rum, aged rum, ripe mango, rice drink, bright lime, cherry, warm herbal notes, & creamy coconut foam. The name “Slingin’ Rhythm” connects the heritage of the Singapore Sling with the rhythm, movement, and celebratory energy of Thai culture. Familiar yet new, it is a cocktail with a classic soul & a Thai tropical heart."

Pandan–Toasted Rice-Infused STARR Rum, STARR Rum 7 Years Aged , Kota Pandan Liqueur, Mango Purée, Woongjin Achim Haetsal Morning Rice Drink, Fresh Lime Juice, Cherry Heering, Bénédictine , Angostura Aromatic Bitters, House Thai Coconut Milk, Espuma.

Add all ingredients except espuma to a shaker with ice & shake until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a tall Zombie-style Tiki glass filled with crushed ice. Top with the House Thai Coconut Milk Espuma. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes, roasted mung beans, nutmeg, one drop of Angostura Aromatic Bitters, dried mango, small pandan-leaf triangles, small Caribbean pirate-themed figurine, & a straw.

Tommy Tee The Bartender

Can Be Found Slingin' Cocktails at THEP Thai Restaurant

"Sesame Sunset"- Jade & Clover

Verde Mezcal Amarás

2nd Place - Best Tiki Cocktail of The Year 2026

"Sesame Sunset was inspired by Taiwanese pineapple cake, but with a completely different direction. Instead of using pineapple as the main fruit element, salted plum was used, while black sesame orgeat became the interpretation of the rich filling inside the pastry. It definitely strays from the original dessert, but the idea was never to recreate pineapple cake literally — it was about translating the way its components work together into a cocktail. The concept actually came from an unrelated conversation about umeboshi, which sparked curiosity leading down a rabbit hole of different types of plums. Grapefruit needed to be part of the drink. Grapefruit & salt have always been such a natural pairing, so once salted plum came into the picture, it felt like a no-brainer. The grapefruit brings brightness & bitterness, while the salted plum adds salinity, fruit, & depth. The black sesame orgeat rounds everything out with a toasted, nutty richness, creating a tiki-style cocktail that hits sweet, salty, tart, bitter, & savory notes across the palate."

Salted Plum–Infused Mezcal Amarás, Black Sesame Orgeat, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Yuzu Juice, Pineapple Juice.

Shaken with ice until chilled & properly diluted, then strain over fresh ice in short rocks glass / double Old-Fashioned style glass. Garnish with pineapple leaf & dehydrated grapefruit half wheel dusted with salted plum powder.

Dan Vega, Bar Captain at Jade & Clover

"The Calavera of Doom" - Hunter & Thief

Casa Obsidiana

3rd Place Best Tiki Cocktail of the Year 2026

"Based on the classic Trader Vics' 1944 version of the Mai Tai; this version gets dressed up with the addition of floral elements, thoughtfully created tequila & homemade orgeat built from pepitas."

Casa Obsidiana Blanco Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Pumpkin Seed Orgeat, Jasmine Tea, Chambray Vermouth, 2:1 Simple Syrup, Vetiver, & Angostura Bitters.

Combine all into a shaker tin, add ice then shake for about 12 seconds. pour over rocks glass then add crushed ice, garnish with orange swath, mint bouquet, tattooed lime & nutmeg.