This Suds for You
You had your UConn shirt on (congratulations by the way), studied the difference between a dunk and a lay up, and didn’t even complain when the loud guy in the Butler hat dribbled bleu cheese all over your saved-up-for-months Dolce & Gabbana chain-strap wallet.
You jumped through hoops to make sure you didn’t stick out at the bar when your guy and his friends got together for the Final Four basketball games. You were fan-tastic – until your drink arrived.
Apparently a lychee mojito with an extra mint sprig is a sports fan foul.
So how do you get into drink game without having to deal with that not-so-hoppy aftertaste? Tap into beer cocktails that keep those suds from being duds.
Beer-tinis
Kona Brewing Company, Hawaii Kai
Microbrews get a Sec in the City makeover at this Hawaii Kai and Big Island eatery. Four of the company’s ales and porters are mixed into tempting concoctions like the Blue Wave’s golden ale, stoli blueberry, blue curacao, midori and pineapple juice. Or there’s the decadent Porter Passion, featuring deep porter beer, frangelico, stoli vanil and godiva chocolate liquor. The first sip will fool you into thinking it’s a basic cocktail, but there is a subtle, but definite earthier finish to these martini-like mixtures.
The Kona Brewing Company is at 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy., 808.394.5662
Shoot the Root
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Ala Moana Center
Ryan’s Grill, Ward Centre
For a beer mix with a little more street cred try this easy-to-swallow recipe. It's not on the menu, but just takes a pint or mug of beer, (lagers seem to go down the most smoothly), with a shot of root beer schnaps you drop in for a sippable sweetened soda-flavored brew. It won’t totally banish the beer flavor, but any drink that comes with a shot automatically ups your cool factor.
Contact Bubba Gump at 808.949.4867, Ryan’s Grill was out of the schnapps recently, but usually has it in stock. Call 808.591.9132 to check.
Michelada
Mexico Restaurant, Kalihi
Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican Restaurant, Haleiwa
This isn’t something you’ll want to order your next night out. It’s usually a day after drink for hair of dog remedies. The Mexican restaurant staple is basically a beer bloody mary, mixing brew with tomato juice and spices for a perfect breakfast add on to your huevos rancheros. Recipes vary from the simple tomato juice, lime juice and beer in a salted rim glass, to the smokier mixes with the addition of shoyu and worcestershire sauce.
Mexico Restaurant is located at 1247 N. School St., 808.845.9059. Cholo’s is at 66-250 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, 808.637.3059
The Waikiki EDITION’s master mixologist, Christian Self, brewed up several special concoctions for Boon Rawd, the maker of Singha Beer that’s hosting an invite-only party at the hotel.
You can taste his beer cocktails tomorrow night, 4-9 p.m. at the EDITION’s Lobby Lounge, 1775 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu Magazine’s food critic John Heckathorne already tried a few, click here for his take.
