No Ka Oi Recipe

Prepare glass

If serving over crushed ice, fill a rocks glass or coupe with crushed ice and set aside. If serving up, chill the serving glass in the freezer for a few minutes.

Muddle basil

Place 8 fresh Thai basil leaves in the base of a cocktail shaker (or mixing tin). Add the fresh lime juice and gently muddle 6–8 times — just enough to bruise the leaves and release aromatic oils; avoid over-muddling to keep bitterness down.

Combine liquids

Add 2 oz Ocean Vodka, 1 oz lilikoi puree, 0.75 oz honey-lilikoi puree, and 0.25 oz simple syrup (if additional sweetness desired) into the shaker with the muddled basil and lime.

Add ice and shake

Add approximately 6 oz of ice to the shaker. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes cold and frosty. This chills and lightly dilutes the cocktail, integrating the honey-puree.

Double strain

Using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer, double-strain the cocktail into the prepared glass: over crushed ice if serving on the rocks, or straight into the chilled coupe/rocks glass if serving up. Double-straining removes basil fragments and pulp for a smooth texture.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with a fresh Thai basil sprig and a lime wheel or a small wedge of passion fruit on the rim. Lightly slap the basil sprig between your palms before garnishing to release its aroma. Serve immediately.