What Is POG? The 55-Year Story of Hawai‘i's Most Iconic Flavor
POG stands for Passion fruit, Orange, and Guava. It is a tropical juice blend invented at Meadow Gold in Hawai‘i in 1971, and in 2026 it became a premium spirits brand — POG Spirits — created in partnership with Meadow Gold.
What POG stands for
POG is an acronym for the three fruits that define it: Passion fruit, Orange, and Guava. Together they create a bright, tropical flavor that is sweet, tart, and instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up in Hawai‘i.
Where POG came from
In 1971, a creamery worker at Meadow Gold — the Hawaiian beverage house founded in 1897 — blended passion fruit, orange, and guava into a single juice. It was an immediate hit. For over five decades, POG has been on breakfast tables, in school lunches, and at every beach cooler across the islands.
Why POG matters
Very few regional flavors achieve universal recognition. POG did. It is one of the rare food-and-beverage icons with genuine, multi-generational cultural weight in a specific place — Hawai‘i — while remaining beloved by visitors who discover it.
POG becomes a spirit
In 2026, POG Spirits launched as an independent spirits brand, created in partnership with Meadow Gold and inspired by that original 1971 flavor. The range: POG Vodka (750 ml, 35% ABV) and POG Spiked Island Punch, a ready-to-drink can (11.5 fl oz, 6% ABV). Both are crafted with real passion fruit, orange, and guava.
Common questions
Is POG only found in Hawai‘i?
POG originated in Hawai‘i in 1971 and remains most iconic there. POG Spirits launches in Hawai‘i in 2026 before expanding to the U.S. West Coast.
Does POG contain all three fruits?
Yes — authentic POG is made with real passion fruit, orange, and guava. POG Spirits products use real fruit.