As spring slides without hesitation into summer, we find ourselves outdoors all the more often and actively pursuing the fresh air and healthy hobbies that the islands so abundantly provide. In doing so, most of us work up quite an appetite as well as a thirst for a cold and refreshing beverage with substance. Luckily, with the turn of the season, the land gives back two-fold in the form of fresh island fruit. Mangos turn from green to red, apple banana is plentiful and lilikoi vines grow and blossom vigorously.

Sometimes it can be a challenge to consume the bounty of summer fruit and it takes a little creativity to incorporate it in enjoyable ways into our diet. The best way to utilize all that fruit that is ripening faster than you can pick it is to blend it into a tasty liquid refreshment. Whether you're thinking healthy post-workout replenishment or relaxing pau hana libation, fresh fruit is the key to extraordinary flavor.

Keep in mind that these recipes are broken down in terms of one drink per serving, so if you're mixing for two or more friends, double or triple your portions accordingly. And for those of you who might find yourself crafting these cocktails at the proverbial Happy Hour of the day, yes, the proper spirits can be added for further enjoyment.

With that being said, there are a few tools you will need to properly produce these fruit-forward elixirs: household blender, mixing tin (cocktail shaker), mixing glass (fits in tin), cutting board, large serrated knife, muddler, citrus squeezer and a cocktail strainer.

Banango Tango
Ingredients: ripe banana, mango, fresh passion fruit juice, strawberries or raspberries and cubed ice

½ ripe banana
½ cubed mango
2 ounces fresh passion fruit juice
1 ounce freshly pureed strawberries or raspberries
½ cup cubed ice

Method
In the blender combine the banana, mango and passion fruit juice with ice. Blend until a rich thickness is achieved. Pour pureed berries into the bottom of your favorite 14-ounce glass. Fill remainder of glass with blended mixture, garnish with an orchid and enjoy. For the pau hana version, add 1ounce spiced rum and 1ounce banana liquor to the blender mix.

Sky Rockets In Flight
Ingredients: fresh lime, orange, fresh passion fruit juice, cranberry juice, sparkling water and cubed ice

quartered lime
½ sliced orange
2 ounces fresh passion fruit juice
2 ounces fresh cranberry juice
2 ounces sparkling water (soda water)
1 cup cubed ice

Method
In a mixing tin, muddle three lime wedges with three orange slices until fruit is thoroughly pulverized. Pour both juices into tin and add ice. Cover tin with mixing glass and shake contents vigorously for ten seconds. Strain contents into your favorite ice filled 14-ounce glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a lime wedge and orange slice. For the pau hana version, add 1 ounces of mandarin flavored vodka

If you like these recipes and are thirsty for more, keep your eyes peeled for Jesse Greenleaf's and Amie Fujiwara's upcoming book from Watermark Publishing due out later this year. The book will be a comprehensive cocktail recipe collection featuring original drinks created in Hawai'i by many of Hawai'i's veteran bartenders, including the authors.