Lava Flow Drink

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

This Lava Flow destroys your thirst with a volcanic eruption of refreshing flavors!

A few years ago, I spent a week on the Coconut Coast of Kauaʻi, Hawaii. Since it was my first time visiting the islands, I had expected the place to be jam-packed with tourists. Happily, I was very wrong. No crowds anywhere from the time I got off the plane until I boarded my return flight to Los Angeles. My hotel was right on the beach, and every meal, snack, and drink was enjoyed only a few feet away from the lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean. It was heavenly. It was the Lava Lava Club.

The Lava Lava Club is a beachfront restaurant and bar that was just one of many amazing places that I visited, but it remained my favorite. Sizzling shrimp, breakfast Mai Tais… just writing about it makes me wish I was there right now.

One lazy afternoon, I was sitting beachside, looking at the club’s menu. Wanting something different from the constant flow of Mai Tais I had been imbibing all week, I came across a cocktail called the Lava Flow. Their menu stated theirs was served “on the rocks” and was “better” than the original (“trust us!”). So naturally, I ordered a “Lava Lava Flow” at the Lava Lava Club and had one of the best drinks on the island. I could taste the rums, both silver and coconut, the pineapple and strawberries were amazing and not too strong. Before I flew back home, I made sure I had one more as I watched the ocean wave me goodbye.

I found myself missing Hawaii, so I thought it’d be fun to learn how to make a Lava Flow. This time, giving the traditional version a go. Once I looked up how to make one, the Internet promptly told me that I should not drink lava, as that would be incredibly dangerous. After some more specific searching, I discovered a simple tropical cocktail that looks like a fruity cascade of delicious magma you can actually drink. Our recipe is down below, and it can’t be beat.

The Lava Flow sits somewhere between a Piña Colada and a Strawberry Daiquiri in terms of texture and flavors. It’s often been compared to a cocktail called the Miami Vice. Check it out, try one and see how these drinks stack up.

What are the best rums to use in a Lava Flow?

I’ve talked before in other articles about my love for using Bacardi Superior when mixing certain rum-based drinks, and the Lava Flow is no different. It’s a great, clean mixing rum, and also inexpensive. For the coconut rum, you can’t miss with that classic white bottle of Malibu that we all remember from college parties. This time, however, we’ll be carefully measuring out the Malibu for our beachside cocktail.

What type of glassware and garnish are used?

A big cocktail requires a big ride. One can always use a versatile and reliable highball glass, but with a drink like the Lava Flow, I like to have fun with it and go with a great big hurricane glass. Using one allows the colors to swirl around in a much more mesmerizing way.

Can you make a Lava Flow with actual lava?

I imagine you could, but getting the lava would be tricky, and your blender probably wouldn’t last too long.

Other tropical cocktails worth trying

If you enjoyed this thick, fruity, and tropical tipple, don’t stop there! We’ve got plenty of other colorful mixes to transport you to sandy shores. Just take a look at our selection below.

• Bermuda Rum Swizzle – Topped with a cocktail umbrella, this drink can’t fail to bring those vacation vibes.
• Frozen Mojito – Your favorite minty rum cocktail, but in slushie form.
• Piña Colada Smoothie – A creamier take on that famous Caribbean cocktail.
• Dirty Monkey – This mix of banana and coconut makes for the perfect poolside sipper.