Best Of Cleveland: Polynesian Cocktails

If you plan on partying at the Tiki Underground, put aside what you know about beachside drinks — these Polynesian cocktails pack one hell of a punch. “A lot of people think Tiki cocktails have to be sweet,” says co-owner Sean Coffey. “The more traditional drinks were actually not very sweet. So when we craft them, we take that into consideration.” While the Hudson hideaway offers more than 30 cocktails to keep you afloat, its Jet Pilot ($9.50) may be a recipe for a crash landing. Made with three kinds of rum, its cognac-like base pairs with house-made falernum — a spiced syrup crafted from cloves, anise, almonds, lime and lemon peels, and lemongrass — a dash of bitters and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Topped with a blue plane-shaped ice cube and a half-dozen drops of Pernod, a licorice liqueur, this concoction carries a complex kick. “It’s one of the more daring recipes we have,” says Coffey. “It’s a group of flavors that kind of rush at you.” 5893 Akron Cleveland Road, Hudson, 234-380-5398, tikiunderground.com


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