Magics Beach Grill And The Manifest Named Winners At Second Annual Hawaii’s Best Mocktail Competition

Magics Beach Grill and The Manifest were named the winners at the second annual Hawaii’s Best Mocktail competition held May 14 at the International Market Place in Waikiki.

DTRIC Insurance, Ltd. and the Hawaii Restaurant Association (HRA) partnered for the second year on this friendly competition between restaurants, bars and lounges, which aims to offer non-alcoholic cocktails for designated drivers and non-drinkers.

The “Pahoehoe Plunge” drink created by Magics Beach Grill mixologist Jasmine Wasan from Kailua-Kona was named the Judge’s Choice, selected by a panel of media personalities, social influencers, and industry professionals. Mixologist Gwen Whiting of The Manifest in Chinatown Honolulu won the People’s Choice award for her “Ginger & Rose Fizz” concoction.

“It was a fun night for everyone involved,” said Michele Saito, President and CEO of DTRIC Insurance. “The friendly competition brought awareness to the important role of designated drivers, who can still have fun with alcohol-free drinks that look and taste as fantastic as their cocktail counterparts.”

Alcohol is a major factor in traffic crashes. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there was an alcohol-impaired traffic fatality every 50 minutes in 2016. According to NHTSA, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2016 and alcohol-impaired crash fatalities accounted for 28 percent of all crash fatalities.

“We all have a responsibility to prevent drunk driving accidents and it’s encouraging that the restaurant and bar industry has embraced this unique campaign with such enthusiasm,” Saito added.

“Having alcohol should be a choice, not an expectation,” added Sheryl Matsuoka, Executive Director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association. “By offering mocktail options alongside classic cocktails, drinking and dining establishments are creating an inclusive atmosphere for all guests.”

The 2019 Hawaii’s Best Mocktails competition featured bartenders and mixologists from across the islands. Full recipes of all entries are available online at www.DTRIC.com/Mocktails.

This year’s participants included:

• 53 By the Sea – Yuzu Makin’ Me Blush
• Flour & Barley – Koolau Cooler
• Hula Grill Waikiki – Cucumber Passion Fruit Spritzer
• A.C. 24/7 – Island Poppin’ Lemonade
• Magic’s Beach Grill (Hawaii Island) – Pahoehoe Plunge
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawaii Island) – Orange Dream Booch
• SKY Waikiki – Hatton Heist
• Smith & Kings – So Ono Fizz
• The Manifest – Ginger & Rose Fizz
• The Mill House (Maui) – Feel Free to Tiki
• The Nook Neighborhood Bistro – The Renegade Old Fashioned
• Tiki’s Grill & Bar – Shi-so Spicy
• Vintage Vinegars – Spice Grilled Pineapple Vinegar Elixir
• ShoreFyre – Gardener’s Fizz

Mahalo to our other event sponsors and partners, including: Ohana Broadcast Company, FROLIC Hawaii, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Hawaii Volcanic Water.