Sippin’ Santa’s Festive Tiki Drinks Will Put You in the Holiday Spirit

Tiki-aficionado Beachbum Berry’s pop-up bar at Prince Waikīkī is open daily to spread holiday cheer through New Year’s Eve.

December 10, 2021

Tracy Chan,

‘Tis the season for holiday-themed pop-up bars and this year, Prince Waikīkī has a present for us: Hawai‘i’s first iteration of Beachbum Berry’s Sippin’ Santa. Since 2015, the tiki-themed Christmas pop-up has been spreading waves of holiday cheer at bars across the country. From New York City to Honolulu, the potent cocktails and cute, quirky drinkware (some available for purchase) are hallmarks of the pop-up by New York-based Miracle Bar and they are proving to be an intoxicating combination.

Cocktails with clever names and stiff, festive spirits are the focus at the open-air patio bar located at the Ala Moana Boulevard entrance of Prince’s lobby. A good sweet and spicy choice to start with is the signature Sippin’ Santa ($20), with aged Demerara rum, amaro, lemon, orange and gingerbread mix in a jolly mug you can’t help but smile at.

Sippin Santa Kris Kringle Colada Credit Tracy Chan 5

Photo: Tracy Chan

The Kris Kringle Colada ($18), served in a ceramic coconut, is a creamy take on the classic piña colada, with allspice liqueur added for that extra holiday kick.

I was pleasantly surprised by the one cocktail on the menu served hot, the Yule Log Grog ($16). Although I was initially doubtful of a hot drink containing gin, falernum, cranberry syrup, ginger liqueur and lime, it reminded me of a hot toddy with lemonade, a strangely comforting sipper.

Photo: Tracy Chan

If you’re feeling brave, the nutty, festive Mistletoe-To-Toe ($40) with bourbon, walnut liqueur and maple syrup is intended to be shared by two or more people. It comes in an adorable drinkware bowl complete with a lounging Santa and reindeer.

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You can accompany your libations with grazing boards of cheese, crackers, charcuterie meats, fruit and nuts crafted by Yim Kwok and Jackie Park of Fig & Ginger Honolulu.

If your plan is to paint the town as red as your cheeks, the Prince is also an official trolley stop for the Holly Jolly Waikiki Trolley, a favorite Christmas pastime for kids of all ages that’s back this year. Park at the hotel, grab a drink or two and hop on the trolley to catch the Honolulu City Lights in downtown.

Sippin’ Santa is one of several holiday-themed bars to pop up this season. Michael Miller’s Christmas Bar in Ala Moana Center has moved to his Tiki’s Grill & Bar this year. A new pop-up dubbed Winter Wonderland by 17A Productions (Skull & Crown Trading Co. and Nightmare Halloween Bar) has taken over the former Tempura Ichidai space at Ala Moana Center and runs through New Year’s Eve. And Mistletoe Tavern is back, this time at Anna O’Brien’s in Mō‘ili‘ili.

This is your sign to dust off your Santa hat, dig out that atrocious sweater and get ready to imbibe some holiday spirits. Just remember: He sees you when you’re drinking, so do so responsibly!

Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. 100 Holomoana St., Waikīkī. Validated self and valet parking with purchase. princewaikiki.com, @sippinsantaprincewaikiki

Holly Jolly Waikiki Trolley

Round-trip rides pick up in front of Prince Waikīkī every Thursday through Monday through Dec. 25, 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person: fareharbor.com