Nothing sounds more relaxing than taking a week off to enjoy a luxurious tropical vacation filled with white sandy beaches, turquoise blue water, and fruity rum cocktails. Unfortunately, time and money don't always allow such luxuries. Enter tropical drinks and a backyard tiki bar.
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Bring the island paradise to your home by sipping on a tropical cocktail. Shaking up fancy drinks that you only order while relaxing on a beach will make you feel like you are on your own Caribbean vacation.
There's only one thing you need to keep in mind when mixing your drink: rum is the name of the game. The unofficial island liquor of choice, rum is what makes it truly taste tropical.
So bust out your tiki mugs, toothpick umbrellas, pineapple wedges to garnish, and shake up these 10 tropical drinks. While you're at it, throw on some island tunes and make your own backyard paradise.
What Are the Most Popular Tropical Drinks?
When you want the feeling of sand instead of snow underneath your feet, shake up one of these tropical drinks. Most of these inspired cocktails combine fruity liqueurs, such as blue curacao, or island-made liquor such as rum. Served as a frozen drink or on the rocks, these drinks are anything but boring. Can you imagine frowning with sipping on a Mai Tai? We don't think so!
1. Pineapple Margaritas
As if margaritas didn't already scream ocean paradise, add some pineapple and now you've got a summer drink.
Mixing the usual ingredients of tequila, lime, and triple sec, pour in pineapple juice and you have a refreshing Pineapple Margarita that puts a Hawaiian twist on this popular drink.
Get the recipe here from The Blond Cook.
2. Classic Piña Colada
How do you make this classic? Blend a frozen cocktail concoction of light rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice. Then top with a maraschino cherry and pineapple wedge for garnish.
Now sit back and relax poolside. Oh, and don't forget those cocktail umbrellas. That's what really makes it. Get the tropical drink recipe here from Cooking with Curls.
3. Strawberry Daiquiri
Want to feel like your hanging out at a tiki hut in the Caribbean? Then you need one of these Strawberry Daiquiris from Sugar & Soul Co.
Strawberry daiquiris are that one guilty pleasure you enjoy only in a tropical setting. So bring that setting to you by blending up some fresh strawberries, lemon and lime, club soda, and light rum.
4. Mai Tai
While the Mai Tai may have originated in Oakland, CA thanks to Trader Vic, it certainly tastes like a tiki cocktail that belongs in Hawaii. So send yourself to the Polynesian island with this boozy Mai Tai recipe from Little Bits Of.
Light rum, dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, some amaretto, and a splash of grenadine - along with a rum floater - makes the Mai Tai recipe of your dreams.
5. Tropical Sangria
Whether you are throwing a soiree or enjoying a quiet afternoon at home, this Tropical Sangria recipe from Recipes From a Pantry is a vacation in itself. Grab a pitcher and pour in the white wine, passionfruit juice, pineapple juice, dark rum, and all your favorite tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and kiwi. Pop it in the refrigerator for a few hours - if you can hold out - to let the flavors meld. Then turn on some island tunes and sip away to paradise.
6. Passionfruit Mojito
Putting a twist on the classic mojito, this Passionfruit Mojito recipe from A Cookie Named Desire is about to be your new summertime favorite. It has all the traditional ingredients like mint, rum, and lime with the added bonus of tropical passionfruit.
All that muddled into on glass and this is the refreshing summer cocktail you've been waiting for.
7. Pineapple Mango Rum Punch
Having a backyard get-together? Give everyone a taste of the island with this Pineapple Mango Rum Punch from Paper & Stitch recipe. Inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean, this recipe calls for three types of juice, coconut rum, grenadine, lime slices, and edible flowers for garnish. It's a guaranteed splash.
Take note when making the punch bowl for a party, sub in ounces for parts.
8. Bahama Mama
Now this one gets you into trouble. Four kinds of rum - light rum, dark rum, coconut rum, and 151 rum - a splash of grenadine along with pineapple and orange juice all poured into a shaker, then strained into your glass for a dangerously good cocktail recipe.
Get your Bahama Mama on here from Cooking With Curls.
9. Lava Flow
If you haven't caught on by now, rum is the tropical liquor of choice. And that's precisely what makes this Lava Flow recipe from The Chic Site worthy of the title tropical.
Using two kinds of rum - coconut and white rum - blend strawberries, pineapple, and coconut cream, and then garnish your glasses with a sweet chunk of pineapple. Lava Flow anyone?
10. Hawaiian Mimosa
If you're in need of a tropical drink recipe that requires minimal effort, then the Hawaiian Mimosa is for you. Containing only three ingredients - champagne, Maui coconut rum, and pineapple juice - you'll be sipping poolside in no time.
Tired of rum? Omit the rum and you still have a refreshing cocktail worthy of the Hawaiian name.
