Best Year

Name: Best Year
Ingredients: 1 oz Chakra Vodka Pineapple & Rosemary; .5 oz Old Harbor Adventure Series Gin; .5 oz Blue Curaçao; .5 oz Licor 43; 1 tbsp Sugar Mix; 2 oz Frozen Pineapple Chunks; .5 oz Pineapple Juice; 2 ml Lime Acid Adjuster; 5 drop(s) Saline Solution; .25 tsp Xanthan Gum

+ 6 Likes

By Andy Boimila

Submitted on: August 24, 2023

Refreshing

Seasonal

The Best Year cocktail was created in 1975 by Bobby Batugo and won him a national competition. Vodka doesn’t get a lot of love in tiki cocktails, or cocktails in general, so I wanted to see if I could create an improved version using some modern techniques.

Ingredients

1 oz
Chakra Vodka Pineapple & Rosemary

.5 oz
Old Harbor Adventure Series Gin

.5 oz
Blue Curaçao

.5 oz
Licor 43

1 tbsp
Sugar Mix

2 oz
Frozen Pineapple Chunks

.5 oz
Pineapple Juice

2 ml
Lime Acid Adjuster

5 drop(s)
Saline Solution

.25 tsp
Xanthan Gum

Instructions

Garnish

Mint Sprig

Build

Blend

Glass

Cocktail Coupe

Estimated strength

About 10% ABV (estimate)

By Andy Boimila

YouTube Creator

Home bartender and part time bartender at Wusong Road in Cambridge, MA. Specializing in mixing up classic and modern tiki drinks at home. On Instagram and TikTok @mixinguptiki On YouTube at Mixing Up Tiki...

Other Recipes by Andy Boimila

Derby Daiquiri

Kahiki Port Light

+ 23 More Recipes

Combine all ingredients, except the xanthan gum, into a blender and blend until the sugar has dissolved. Add the xanthan gum. Blend again. Add 170g of pebble ice. Blend one more time until smooth. Pour into a chilled 9oz goblet. Garnish with a mint sprig and cherry. Serve with a straw.

Editor's Note

A modern, technical take on the frozen tiki template. Xanthan gum and acid adjustment create a silky, balanced texture that elevates the vodka-based profile.