Heritage4 min read
What Is POG? The 55-Year Story of Hawai‘i's Most Iconic Flavor
Three fruits, one island, and a flavor that never left the collective memory of Hawai‘i. This is where POG began — and where it's going.
— The Journal
Stories from
the islands.
The POG Journal is where we collect the story behind Hawai‘i's most iconic flavor and the spirits it inspired. POG — passion fruit, orange, and guava — was invented at Meadow Gold in 1971, and for more than fifty years it has been part of daily life on the islands: breakfast tables, plate lunches, beach coolers, birthday parties.
In 2026, POG Spirits — an independent spirits brand created in partnership with Meadow Gold — brings that same flavor into a bottle: POG Vodka, a 750 ml, 35% ABV vodka crafted with real passion fruit, orange, and guava; and POG Spiked Island Punch, a ready-to-drink can at 6% ABV with real fruit and organic ingredients. Everything you read here is a chapter of that launch — the flavor, the fruits, the recipes, and the moment.
Below you'll find the definitive answer to "what is POG?", full tasting notes for POG Vodka, three signature cocktails built to honor the original, a short guide to why passion fruit, orange, and guava work so well together, and a look at the wave of Hawaiian spirits shaping the shelf in 2026. Every article is written to be useful on its own — read one, share it, or use it to introduce someone new to POG. New pieces publish regularly: bartender features, retail spotlights, the science of aloha flavor, and the occasional postcard from the tasting room. Bookmark the page or subscribe via our RSS feed to follow along.
Written by the POG Spirits team · Hawai‘i · Updated 2026. 21+ only — please drink responsibly.
Heritage
Products3 min read
POG Vodka: Tasting Notes and How to Drink It
A bright, tropical-inspired vodka with a crisp, dry finish. Here's exactly what to expect — and the simplest ways to enjoy it.
Cocktails3 min read
3 POG Cocktails for a Hawaiian Sunset
Three easy serves that honor the original POG flavor — equally at home on a lānai or behind a hotel bar.
Flavor4 min read
Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava: Why the POG Flavor Works
Tart, sweet, and floral in perfect tension. Here's what each fruit brings — and why the trio became a Hawaiian institution.
Culture4 min read
The Rise of Hawaiian Spirits in 2026
Island terroir, real fruit, and cultural storytelling are reshaping the spirits shelf. A look at the movement — and the launch leading it.