Hawaii recreated in San Jose at Hukilau

Drink of the Week

By: Julia Cooper

Posted: 11/2/06

The bite of winter's chill is just around the corner, but the Hukilau restaurant in San Jose's Japantown offers a warm escape from the cold days and nights ahead.

Hukilau, which also has branches in San Francisco and Palo Alto, specializes in tropical drinks and Hawaiian dishes, including Spam.

The inviting atmosphere of Hawaii is recreated in the cozy front room of Hukilau, where spice-red walls, lit candles and Tiki accouterments are included in the warm decor. Grab a seat at one of the tables or at the straw awning-covered bar to begin an exotic, island experience.

For a real dose of Hawaii, ask a member of the friendly wait staff for a Hawaiian Purple Hooter Martini, a specialty drink not listed on the regular menu.

The drink is presented in a clear martini glass with a swirled stem that complements the fun interior of the room. The glass is garnished with a fresh pineapple wedge, putting Hawaii's signature fruit in the spotlight.

Purple cocktails are certainly few and far between. Hukilau achieves the Hawaiian Purple Hooter Martini's royal color with a splash of cranberry juice, one of many fruit flavors blended into the drink.

Upon first sip, the drink's sweetness is vibrant, but not overwhelming. Hints of peach, coconut and pineapple flavors pop out from the overall taste.

The strong flavor of Hpnotiq blends nicely with the fruit flavors and reminds tasters that yes, this is an alcoholic beverage. A little bit of this drink goes a long way.

The Hawaiian Purple Hooter Martini sells for $7.50, a bargain considering the complexity of its ingredients.

Hukilau not only features half-price menu drinks on Thursdays after 5 p.m., but live Hawaiian music is also offered on Friday and Saturday nights in the restaurant's larger back room.

Hawaiian Purple Hooter Martini

1 ounce Hpnotiq

½ ounce peach schnapps

½ ounce Malibu coconut rum

½ ounce Blue Curacao

Splash of pineapple juice

Add cranberry juice until achieving purple color

* Recipe courtesy of Hukilau