The secret to Kauai’s new award-winning cocktail (so you can make it at home)

A bartender is sharing the secret that recently earned her the title Kauai’s Best Bartender.

Jennifer Bryant, who works at the Club at Kukuiula near Koloa, was toasted following the Nov. 18 final of a 12-week competition.

Beginning in mid-August, two contestants went head to head each week, crafting cocktails using locally made Koloa Rum and “mystery” ingredients that included various fruits, tea and even bacon.

Bryant won preliminary rounds for creating tasty and eye-catching drinks that used coconut, ginger and sea salt.

A panel of expert judges was joined by 250 guests in the Rumfire Poipu Beach restaurant at the Sheraton Kauai Resort to taste and vote for their favorites.

Bryant named her award-winning cocktail Malie. She won the $4,000 grand prize for her work.

In case you want to impress your friends with something different, here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

3/4 ounce Koloa Coconut Rum

1.5 ounces guava juice

Fever-Tree club soda

Kaffir lime leaf

Lemon peel

Twist the lemon peel inside the glass to release its oils. Add ice and then the rum and guava juice. Top with club soda. Bruise the kaffir lime leaf and add to the glass.

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