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Hibiscus Mai Tai with Thyme and Fresh Pineapple

A hibiscus mai tai cocktail made with fresh pineapple juice and infused with notes of thyme and sweetened with honey. A modern mai tai recipe and a twist on an old classic.
August 28, 2015
cocktails

Hibiscus Mai Tai Cocktail with Thyme + Fresh Pineapple Juice | A hibiscus mai tai cocktail made with fresh pineapple juice and infused with notes of thyme and sweetened with honey. A modern mai tai recipe and a twist on an old classic.
So this is a modern take on a classic tiki cocktail. Pumped up with fresh pineapple juice, your favorite rum, notes of thyme and lightly sweetened with honey and hibiscus tea. There are no gross, sugary liquors. Or syrups. Or artificial colors. Just clean, good old fashioned, real-food ingredients. And, booze. It would also be so good with this hibiscus syrup floated on top. 

I’m light on the words today. Because I want to get out there and enjoy the summer warmth. Ya feel me? If this is you too feel free to skip down to the bottom of this page for the hibiscus mai tai recipe. Or read on for a recap of last week’s Drink The Summer party.

#DrinkTheSummer was a total success! And Renee and I were incredibly honored to have so many wonderfully talented, friends and food bloggers come together, all in the name of love and late summer produce and high-vibe cocktails. The internet can be a lonely and isolating place sometimes. And as a food blogger you spend a lot {like a lot} of your time behind a screen – by yourself. So this was a really fun way for us to mix up the monotony and support one another. Thanks for hanging with us!

The detail and care that went into each person’s drink was incredible. To see the full list of the Drink The Summer 2015 attendees {there were 38 of us!} click HERE.

Below are a few of my personal faves…

Summer’s honeydew drink.

Shelly’s plum sparkler.

Kristan’s blackberry spritz.

Ashley’s rose slushie.

Emilie’s peach margarita.

Elizabeth’s bloody maria.

Jodi’s watermelon colada.

Brooke’s raspberry smash.

And, Kate’s elderflower sangria.

Oh, and!

Food52 thought the party was rad too! They rounded up their favorite eight HERE!

Hibiscus Mai Tai Cocktail with Thyme + Fresh Pineapple Juice | A hibiscus mai tai cocktail made with fresh pineapple juice and infused with notes of thyme and sweetened with honey. A modern mai tai recipe and a twist on an old classic.

Hibiscus Mai Tai Cocktail with Thyme + Fresh Pineapple Juice | A hibiscus mai tai cocktail made with fresh pineapple juice and infused with notes of thyme and sweetened with honey. A modern mai tai recipe and a twist on an old classic.

Print Pin

Hibiscus Mai Tai

This cocktail can easily be made into a mocktail by simply omitting the rum.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes
Servings 4 cocktails

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon loose hibiscus tea
  • 5 large thyme sprigs
  • 1/2 cup hot water 
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons honey {see notes}
  • 6 ounces rum {light dark or amber}
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice 
  • ice
  • cherries to garnish 

Instructions

  • Steep the hibiscus and thyme sprigs in the hot water for 5 minutes. Then discard the hibiscus and the thyme and cool to room temperature. Then add in the honey. Stir to dissolve and refrigerate until cooled completely or until you're ready to use. 
  • Combine the cooled hibiscus tea, rum and lemon juice in a shaker with some ice. Strain and distribute into four glasses with ice. Top each off with the pineapple juice and garnish with a sprig of thyme, pineapple wedge and cherry

Notes

If honey isn't your thing, you can use any sweetener you desire. Simple syrup, maple syrup, liquid stevia, etc. 

Comments | 15 comments

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Comments

  1. Sarah | Well and Full says

    August 28, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    This is such a beautiful cocktail! I love the ombre colors. And also that it’s all natural.

  2. Chaucee says

    August 28, 2015 at 9:26 AM

    This sounds amazing! Such an interesting blend of flavors. I love the way you think! Hope you are well.

  3. Kathryn says

    August 28, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    I’m already getting excited and brainstorming ideas for next year’s #drinkthesummer. You guys are amazing to organise such a brilliant and inspiring event and I loved reading all of the posts. Now I think I’m going to mix myself up one of those beauties and cheers to the weekend!

  4. Lily | Kale & Caramel says

    August 28, 2015 at 9:18 PM

    Let us please discuss the many ways in which I love this: 1) Hibiscus! Duh. 2) Pineapple: Oh song of home. 3) Thyme! Sweet baby yes. Gorgeous, Sherrie.

  5. Brooke @ Chocolate + Marrow says

    August 29, 2015 at 2:27 PM

    That is like my favorite photo of a pineapple ever! Your photography is always just so darn beautiful. Also, so many thanks to you and Renee for putting #drinkthesummer together. It was a total blast. I’ve got my green beans pickling in the fridge for your bloody mary, which I was going to make last weekend but then I “accidentally” ate all of my ripe heirlooms in a salad and didn’t have enough for drinks. But don’t you worry, a whole bunch just popped up this week and they are dedicated to Sherrie’s Bloodys!

  6. Dan Bukowski says

    August 30, 2015 at 4:48 PM

    That looks refreshing and delicious. Have to give this a try before summer ends!

  7. Amanda Paa says

    August 31, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    So many talented gals, so many delicious beverages! It’s hard to decide which one was my favorite, but that plum sparkler and your bloodys were filed into my “make soon” drawer. And how gorgeous is this mai tai? Cheers!

  8. Sherrie says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:01 PM

    Yes! I can’t wait for you to join with us next year! I’m sorry this year didn’t work out, and I have been thinking of you. xo

  9. Sherrie says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:02 PM

    HIBISCUS! HIBISCUS! HIBISCUS!

  10. Sherrie says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    You are the kindest. And the coolest.

  11. Sherrie says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:14 PM

    Cheers YOU! xx

  12. Tessa | Salted Plains says

    September 1, 2015 at 1:45 PM

    Loved checking out all these creative, beautiful drinks! Such a great idea. I made your bloody marys and they were so good, Sherrie. This mai tai is gorgeous – yay for hibiscus!

  13. aida mollenkamp says

    September 4, 2015 at 2:32 PM

    I adore hibiscus in cocktails and love me a good mai tai so this is so up my alley!

  14. Eden Passante says

    March 28, 2016 at 7:22 PM

    This sounds like the best mai tai ever! It’s one of my favorite cocktails so I definitely need to try this!!

  15. Terra says

    May 13, 2018 at 6:42 PM

    I just made these! They’re so delicious and refreshing! My guests loved it.

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