Drinks

Sky Juice

July 6, 2019 by Jennifer

I just got back from the Bahamas, a beautiful group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, where all one does is swim and lounge and swim… and lounge. It was wonderful. While I did plenty of swimming and snorkeling, I also did my share of drinking. I mean, there’s absolutely nothing better on a hot day than lounging by the pool with a cocktail in your hand.

There were plenty of drinks to imbibe in the Bahamas, from margaritas to piña coladas. But the most common choice seemed to be the Bahama Mama, a drink that’s full of rum and tropical juices. I would’ve loved to try one of the classic tiki cocktails, there was just one problem: I’m allergic to pineapple juice. Yes, it’s true and it’s unfortunately why I haven’t been able to make some of the more classic tiki drinks. It’s also why I was forced to find an alternative cocktail while lounging on those sandy, white beaches. Luckily, I found one. It’s called Sky Juice and it’s not your typical tiki drink.

Sky Juice and a Margarita by the pool in the Bahamas.

As I mentioned, most tiki cocktails are made with rum and tropical juices, and while Sky Juice is made with fresh coconut water, there isn’t one drop of rum in it. Instead, it’s made with gin. Now, I know that gin seems like an odd choice for a tiki drink, but believe it or not, it’s more common than you think. I’ve actually made quite a few from the Suffering Bastard to the Bird of Paradise. But this is the first time, I’ve enjoyed a tiki drink in the country where it was actually created.

The Origin Story

While I’m sure you can find Sky Juice at many a tiki bar all over the world today, it originated in the Bahamas at the beginning of the 20th century when rum flowed freely and coconuts could be found on every corner. While rum was the liquor of choice back then, it wasn’t cheap. Most poorer locals couldn’t afford it or the exotic mixers and sodas often used to make the more common tiki drinks. So, they turned to the cheaper gin and fresh coconuts hanging in the trees around them. The drink soon became a Bahamian bar staple thanks to the accessibility of its ingredients and its cool, refreshing taste. Today there isn’t a bar in the Bahamas that doesn’t have the drink listed near the top of their cocktail menu.

Back then gin was the cheaper option because there weren’t a lot of brands to choose from, and during the prohibition it could be made from almost anything. Bathtub gin, anyone? Today, thankfully there are a lot of gins to choose from, and having tasted my share, I’d recommend something a little more floral. Those herbal notes will only enhance the tropical flavors of this drink. While you could easily use Sipsmith or Citadel, I just discovered Flower City from the Honeoye Falls Distillery in Rochester, New York, and its flavor pairs perfectly with the coconut water and sweetened condensed milk. Honeoye Falls is known as the Flower City because of its rich history and abundance of botanicals. Botanicals that make up the flavors of this wonderful new gin.

The Name

Now that you know how and when the cocktail was created, there’s the interesting name. Most tiki drinks have names that catch your eye and illicit thoughts of topical isles and sandy white beaches. Sky Juice is no different. There are two theories as to how the name came to be. Some believe it’s because of the coconuts which grow high in the tall palm trees. So, you’re essentially drinking juice from the sky. Others believe it’s because of the color of the drink, which is a milky white thanks to the mixture of condensed milk and gin. When stirred together the color reminds of white puffy, clouds which can frequently be found off Bahama’s coast right before a thunder storm.

I don’t know which story is true, but either way, it’s a great name for a deliciously cool, creamy cocktail. A cocktail that’s the perfect tropical option when you’re not in the mood for rum or pineapple juice.