11 Drinks in Fiji You HAVE to Try

1. Kava

A staple of the Fijian culture, kava is a drink made from ground-up yaqona (pronounced “yang-on-a”) root mixed with water. The result is an earthy-tasting drink that, once you have had a few too many, will leave you tingly and majorly relaxed. While a casual night around the tanoa (bowl used to make and serve kava) is a way of life in Fiji, drinking kava is also drunk as part of a welcoming ceremony for new guests entering a village. That’s why many resorts in Fiji will greet their guests with a kava ceremony and get you ingrained in the local culture. Learn more about where to experience kava drinking in our 10 Best Ways to Experience the Fijian Culture.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

2. Local Beer (Fiji Gold, Fiji Bitter and Vonu)

Yes, Fiji has its own locally brewed beers, including the Vonu range, Fiji Draught, Fiji Taki Beer, Mokusiga and more. The two major players that you’ll see in most supermarkets and resorts are Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter. Fiji Gold is a light golden lager that can be super refreshing in the hot Fiji sun. Fiji Bitter served in a stubbie bottle is a bit more grainy to please the more serious beer drinkers. Note that Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter are much cheaper than imported beers, giving you all the more reason to try!

© FijiPocketGuide.com

3. Coconut (Bu)

It’s the perfect Fiji picture opportunity: drinking out of a coconut! Fiji has its fair share of coconut palms, and almost every resort will have some swaying in the gentle breeze. Coconut is known locally as “bu” so ask for some bu at your resort bar and enjoy some of the freshest juice you’ll ever taste! You’ll find bu on some drinks menus in Fiji, but mostly you will see them for sale at roadside stalls, particularly on the way to Lautoka, as well as some of the 10 Best Markets in Fiji.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

4. Cocktails and Mocktails

Fiji produces some of the freshest and finest tropical fruit, so naturally, sipping on a fruit cocktail is a must! Bars all across Fiji have cocktails and mocktails on the menu, with a mix of classics as well as in-house creations. The cocktails are so good here that some vacationers literally just come to Fiji to drink them (just take a look around the pool to see if we are exaggerating). Check out The Ultimate Guide to the Fiji Nightlife + Happy Hour List for some of the islands’ best bars!

The Best Cocktails in Fiji

Some of Fiji’s most memorable and unique cocktails include the following:

1. Malamala Rosi – A cocktail served with a full bottle of Corona at the Malamala Beach Club (Mamanuca/Denarau).
2. Kavarita – A kava-infused tequila drink available at Cantina (Denarau)​.
3. Long Journey Cocktail – Available at Bonefish (Denarau), known for its combination of maple syrup and bitters​.
4. Shark Attack – A fun interactive cocktail where you make your own drink with shooters at Bonefish (Denarau)​.
5. Indigo Spice – A noteworthy cocktail served at Indigo (Denarau). It’s their signature drink made with spiced gin and has an aromatic essence, described as having the “aroma of India.”

With these vibrant and creative cocktails, you’re sure to find the perfect tropical refreshment to complement your Fijian paradise experience!

© FijiPocketGuide.com

5. Lemon Leaf and Lemongrass Tea

Immerse yourself in authentic Fijian flavours with two locally cherished teas. Lemon leaf tea, known as drau ni moli, offers a delightful fragrance and subtle citrus notes from lemon tree leaves. For a different twist, try lemongrass tea, called co boi in Fijian, made from aromatic lemongrass stalks. These refreshing brews are staples in Fijian villages and eco-resorts alike. We practically lived off lemongrass tea during our stay at the Matava Eco Adventure Resort (talk about a tropical detox!). Don’t miss the chance to sip on these soothing beverages and experience a taste of Fiji’s natural bounty.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

6. Fiji Rum

Fiji has a huge sugar cane industry, so you can imagine that the locals have experimented with making rum! As a result, there are some fine Fijian rums that you have to try. One that you’ll find almost everywhere is Bounty Rum and Ratu Rum, so give it a try in a cocktail or pick some bottles up at duty-free! You’ll find them at plenty of resort restaurant and bars across Fiji!

© FijiPocketGuide.com

7. Fiji Coffee

Yep, Fiji makes its own coffee too. Coffee bean plantations are nestled in the inland mountainous regions of Fiji, and the locally grown coffee has been roasted by several Fijian coffee roasters. Bula Coffee and Fiji Coffee are just a couple that you might see in cafes and for sale in souvenir shops. What’s more, Bula Coffee runs its own coffee plantation tours on the Coral Coast, while Bulaccino Cafe has its own farm tours in Nadi – find out more in the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in Fiji.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

8. Blue Turtle Gin

Calling all gin enthusiasts! You simply can’t leave Fiji without sampling the island’s very own Blue Turtle Gin. This local gem, produced by The Distillery Co., is not just any ordinary spirit – it’s the first and only craft gin made in the country. Blue Turtle Gin has been turning heads on the international stage, snagging a Gold Medal at the World Gin Awards and another at The American Distillers Institute Awards. What makes this gin truly special is its unique blend of local botanicals. Imagine sipping on a concoction infused with kava, ginger, golden lemon (or moli kula as the locals call it), and curry leaves.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

9. Tropical Fruit Smoothie

With an abundance of tropical fruit available on the islands all year round, Fiji is a place where tropical smoothies are done oh so well. Juices and smoothies are a staple on most cafe and restaurant drinks menus. Check out some of the fruit grown in Fiji in the 10 Exotic Fruits in Fiji You HAVE to Try!

© FijiPocketGuide.com

10. New Zealand and Australian Wine

Ok, so if you are from New Zealand or Australia, you’re probably not going to find this exceptional. For the rest of us, a trip to Fiji usually gives wine-lovers plenty of opportunities to try wines made just across the water. New Zealand and Australian wines are everywhere in Fiji and are definitely worth a try.

© NZPocketGuide.com

11. Fiji Water

As a major bottled water brand distributed around the world, chances are that you have already tried Fiji Water. But why not try Fiji Water when you are as close to the spring water source as you’re ever going to get?! Then again, it is bottled water, which is inherently terrible for the planet. As for drinking other water in Fiji, take a look at Can You Drink the Water in Fiji?

© FijiPocketGuide.com