We’re giving this delicious achievement the royal treatment here at Boxes and Booze by toasting it with a cocktail named after a king. King Kamehameha, to be precise, the legendary ruler of Hawaii who first united the islands together over two hundred years ago. Admittedly, it’s unlikely that King Kamehameha imbibed anything even close to his namesake cocktail, which was created for the Lono tiki bar in Hollywood by beverage director Michael Lay. The drink is a rich and decadent mix of four different rums (not unusual for tiki drinks, but always impressive), lots of citrus, the lightly bitter Italian aperitivo Aperol, pineapple, and passion fruit. If that sounds amazing to you, you’re not wrong. It’s so deliciously rich and flavorful, sipping on one poolside could be considered dangerous.

King Kamehameha by Michael Lay

Michael Lay’s creations are worth seeking out if you are in California, since he has developed the bar programs at a number of successful restaurants and bars in Los Angeles. His Faith and Flower Clarified Milk Punch, which won Esquire’s “Cocktail of the Year” award in 2014, is one of the most complicated cocktails I’ve ever made, and well worth the effort. Getting back to the present offering, Lay had been binge streaming old episodes of “Magnum P.I.” when he came up with the name for the King Kamehameha cocktail. It's also the name of the club where the characters in the show hang out. Now you can stop wondering why this drink is paired with the Pi Box - I know that was bothering you. Cheers!

A tiki drink fit for a king

KING KAMEHAMEHA by Michael Lay

¾ oz dark overproof rum, preferably Plantation OFTD rum

¾ oz aged Puerto Rican rum, preferably Bacardi 8

¾ oz Jamaican rum mix, preferably a blend of Smith & Cross and Appleton 12 (or Denizen Merchant)

1 oz Aperol

1 oz fresh lime

1 oz fresh orange

2 oz fresh pineapple (or sub syrup)

¾ oz passion fruit syrup

¾ oz honey syrup

Shake all ingredients together with ice and strain into a favorite glass full of ice.

Fanciful fruit garnishes and tiny umbrellas required.

Shoes optional.

I'm pie eyed for this pair

For more about Michael Lay’s award winning Clarified Milk Punch:

Hoodwinked!