The Best Cook Islands Cocktails - Bar Guide

There's nothing quite like relaxing on holiday with a delicious cocktail, so we've rounded up some of our favourite cocktails across Rarotonga and Aitutaki for you to try.

On this list you won't find giant blue creamy Curacao Island cocktails (which absolutely have a time and a place). We've chosen slightly more refined cocktails to rival some of the best around the world.

Tamarind Restaurant & Ukulele Bar - Avarua

With a newly minted cocktail menu you're going to struggle to choose from bartender Jason's delectable creations. Obviously we're a little biased but our favourites that also feature locally made Tavake spirits are the:

🦋 Purotu Sour (a grid-worthy cocktail) - Tavake Blue Pea Flower Gin, Elderflower Liquer, Cucumber, Lime & Egg White.

🍸 Pornstar Tini - Vanilla infused Tavake Vodka with Passionfruit, Lime + Moet & Chandon. A nice touch that you pour in the Moet yourself.

🥭 and Mango Sour - Tavake Vodka, Mango, Lime, Egg White.

Finish off the night with a dessert cocktail:

🍏 Apple Crumble Tini - Apple Juice, Vanilla Vodka, Creme De Cacao, Cinnamon, Sugar, Cream

Mango Sour Cocktail

You can choose to dine in Tamarind restaurant which opens up on to a large lawn with views over the water, or opt for the more relaxed Ukulele Bar for drinks with the option to sit on the beach.

Nautilus Restaurant - Muri

On the southern side of Muri with beautiful lagoon views is Nautilus Restaurant with a coveted cocktail menu.

Sometimes you just can't beat a classic, especially an elevated and refreshing Gin & Tonic:

🦋 The Butterfly Effect - Tavake Blue Pea Flower Gin with a hint of orange citrus topped with tonic.

The colour starts matching the lagoon then transforms to an indigo hue.

Avatea Cafe & Pearl Bar - Aitutaki

Head over to Aitutaki and nestled away on the top of the island you'll find Avatea Cafe with its new Pearl Bar. Their cocktails are among the best anywhere in the Cooks.

We love their Espresso Martini and refreshing Miri Mojito made with lemon basil, mint, lemon, white rum and vanilla.

Espresso Martini

Vaka Bar at Tamanu Beach Resort - Aitutaki

Vaka Bar at Tamanu Beach Resort is right on the beach, perfect for cocktails while enjoying Aitutaki's famous sunsets. Superbly timed for happy hour 5-7pm.

• Maine Tea Tea is a refreshing drop locally crafted with Tavake Gin, lemon juice and triple Sec.

Maine Tea Tea cocktail

Vaka Beach Bar cocktail menu

That's a wrap for the cocktail guide. More bars to explore include...

Best Rarotonga Sunset Spots - Arorangi

• The Waterline Restaurant and Outrigger Beach Bar

Best Bars on the Beach & Water

• Barefoot Bar at Pacific Resort (Muri)

• Muri Beach Club (Muri)

• Charlie's (Takitumu)

• Trader Jacks (Avaura)

• Aitutaki Village Resort (Aitutaki)

• Resort Tava’e (Aitutaki)

Tavake Tasting Flights

• Mairie Nui Gardens (Takitumu) - you can taste the Tavake vodka, gin and goldem rum neat for $18. Or try as cocktails with vodka & soda, gin & tonic and golden rum & ginger beer for $36
  

Find our full list of Bars & Restaurants that serve Tavake Spirits here.

Kia manuia (cheers), enjoy the cocktails!