Honolulu Hammer recipe
Vodka and amaretto with splashes of pineapple juice and grenadine, shaken and strained into a cocktail glass.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 4 ingredients
- Cocktail glass
What Ingredients do you need to make a Honolulu Hammer?
Vodka
We compared 12 different brands of Vodka and determined that Smirnoff was the overall best option. Given the current climate with Russia, that may seem like a questionable choice, but Smirnoff isn’t made in Russia, it’s made all over the world.
It actually has a history of Russian persecution and the creators were forced to flee Russia.
Amaretto
Amaretto (Italian for ‘a little bitter’) is a sweet Liqueur that originated in Saronno (a commune in Lombardy, Italy).
Depending on the brand, Amaretto can be made from a variety of ingredients including apricot kernels, peach stones, bitter almonds, or just regular almonds. The key is that all of these ingredients contain benzaldehyde which acts as the almond-like flavour of the liqueur.
Amaretto usually contains between 21 to 28 per cent alcohol by volume.
For Amaretto, we recommend:
Pineapple Juice
Pineapple Juice is a great mixer for cocktails because it’s tasty and packs a big punch in the flavour department.
In cocktails, Pineapple Juice is often used in more exotic, summer cocktails to help set those pool-side vibes.
And it works great!
For Pineapple Juice, we recommend:
Grenadine
Grenadine is a non-alcoholic bar syrup that’s traditionally used to give a cocktail a red or pink tint and is made from pomegranate.
Cocktails with Grenadine
What Equipment do you need to make a Honolulu Hammer?
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.
There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bond says “shaken, not stirred”. And that reason is: because it tastes better.
If you don’t already have a cocktail shaker set, you might want to check out our detailed cocktail shaker comparison.
But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:
Cocktail Glass
This cocktail recipe tastes great, but let’s make it look great too.
Having the right glass for the right cocktail always makes the experience more enjoyable in my experience.
And the right glass is a cocktail glass.
We recommend:
Hawthorne Strainer
If you (or perhaps the person you’re buying for) don’t have a Hawthorne strainer as part of a cocktail shaker set, it’s a great, and incredibly useful, addition to your cocktail toolbox.
The strainer is typically used to remove the ice (or any other unwanted solid ingredients) from your cocktail as it’s poured from the cocktail shaker into your glass.
For a Hawthorne Strainer, we recommend:
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Recipe card
Honolulu Hammer
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Cocktail glass
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add ice and the ingredients to your cocktail shaker.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a cocktail glass using a Hawthorne strainer.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of modern cocktails.
Honolulu Hammer FAQs
What Ingredients do you need to make a Honolulu Hammer?
To make a Honolulu Hammer, you need 90ml / 3oz vodka, 30ml / 1oz amaretto, a splash of pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine. There’s more about vodka, amaretto, pineapple juice and grenadine above.
What Equipment do you need to make a Honolulu Hammer?
You’ll need a cocktail shaker, a cocktail glass and a Hawthorne strainer.
What alcohol is in a Honolulu Hammer?
A Honolulu Hammer contains 90ml / 3oz vodka and 30ml / 1oz amaretto.
Is a Honolulu Hammer shaken or stirred?
A Honolulu Hammer is shaken. Shake it with ice in a cocktail shaker, then strain it into a cocktail glass.
Can I make a Honolulu Hammer without a cocktail shaker?
A cocktail shaker is best, but a clean jam jar with a tight lid works too. Add ice and the ingredients, screw the lid on and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, then strain it into your glass through a small sieve.
What glass is a Honolulu Hammer served in?
Serve a Honolulu Hammer in a cocktail glass.
