Tropical Cocktails

Folks who live closer to the equator know how to keep cool and cheerful: Mai Tais, daiquiris, and other tropical cocktails. . . .

* Xiomara: Xiomara Ardolina herself can be found at the bar of this Pasadena Nuevo Latino restaurant extracting fresh juice from sugar cane for a classic mojito made with white rum, lemon juice, cane juice and mint; also try the Mambi with rum, lime, pineapple and cane juices; or a wide variety of rum daiquiris and other luscious and unusual tropical cocktails. (Specialty drinks, $7.) Xiomara, 69 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, (626) 796-2520.

* Maui Beach Cafe: The decor is a Hawaiian cartoon, but the drink menu goes on forever: In addition to traditional Mai Tais (two to three kinds of rum with passion-pineapple-orange juices served over ice), there are New Wave Mai Tais (more exotic juices and rum served over ice); Mai Tai Tini (rum and liqueurs and juices served chilled and straight up in a martini glass); Tropical Mai Tais (rum, juices, fruit and/or sherbet, blended); plus another 10 tropical concoctions including Shark Repellent, Surfer on Acid, and the deadly Tsunami. (Specialty drinks, $5.50 to $13.95.) Maui Beach Cafe, 1019 Westwood Blvd., Westwood, (310) 209-0494.

* Limbo: Some of this Cal-Caribbean cafe’s Island Potions include Dark and Stormy, dark rum and ginger beer; Island Breeze, with rum, Midori, Triple Sec and Sweet and Sour; the blended Limbo Colada made with banana rum; and the three-rum Tropical Storm with pineapple and cranberry juices. (Specialty drinks, $6.50.) Limbo, 8338 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 866-8258.

* Dive!: If diving in a fake submarine doesn’t make you woozy enough, try the “Below See Level” blended drinks at this silly but kid-popular theme coffee shop: There’s the Ocean Motion margarita; Deep See Lemonade--the kid’s drink with vodka; the Tropical Torpedo, a fancy pin~a colada; Periscope Punch, a white rum punch; and a sampler of all four of these drinks called Around the World. Be sure to designate a navigator. (Specialty drinks, $5.95 to $9.95.) Dive!, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, (310) 788-DIVE.

* Monsoon Cafe: Another theme restaurant--this one with the post-Colonial tropical artwork, architecture and allure of Bali, Monsoon sells, among others, drinks called the Green Dragon (vodka, melon liqueur, pineapple); Tahitian Tea (rum, raspberry and melon liqueurs and juices); and the potent Asian Orange Blossom (vodka, gin, brandy, o.j. and grenadine). Order them by the drink--or the pitcher! (Specialty drinks, $6.50 to $7 each; $23 per pitcher.) Monsoon Cafe, 1212 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, (310) 576-9996.

* Typhoon: Eat Pan-Asian food, watch the planes leave and land, and drink tropical cocktails, which include the very popular Typhoon Punch (rum, Triple Sec, orange, guava and pineapple juices and grenadine); Mare’s Tail (bourbon, Southern Comfort, pineapple and lime juices); and St. Elmo’s Fire (white and Malibu rum, cranberry and guava juices and a Midori float). (Specialty drinks, $6.) Typhoon, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica, (310) 390-6565.

* Good Luck Bar: The specialty drink menu at the Los Feliz watering hole has charming descriptions: The Yee Mee Loo (Blue Drink) is “an old favorite brought back from the past. (Relaxing, but convincing.)” Enter the Dragon is “a venomous concoction that will leave you stinging. (Potent.)” The Hong Kong Bong is “a pleasant concoction of fruit juices with a Southern edge. (Fruity, but not for sissies.)” And so on. (Specialty drinks, $6.50; $10 for a Siamese Twin: Any drink served in a double glass.) Good Luck Bar, 1516 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 666-3524.

* Cha Cha Cha Encino: What is a Voodoo Moondance? White and dark rum, three juices, grenadine and a splash of 151 rum served over ice in a tall “La Femme” glass! And Lola’s Lambada? West Indies dark rum, orange, lemon and lime juices with passion fruit liqueur. Ocho Rios? Rum, tequila, gin, vodka, Grand Marnier, plus citrus juices, pineapple juice and a kiss of cranberry. Try these or 13 other tropical potations at the Valley Caribbean restaurant. (Specialty drinks, $3.50 to $6.) Cha Cha Cha Encino, 17499 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 789-3600.