We can’t always be on vacation but that doesn’t mean we can’t drink like we are!
Are you dreaming of sitting on the sands of a tropical beach with a cocktail in hand? Or perhaps you wish you were enjoying apres ski with something boozy and tasty. Vacation drinks are truly the best!
Whatever your vacation dreams may be, we have a cocktail for you! Destinations, resorts, and travelers from around the world have shared recipes for their favorite cocktails, and we can wait to sample them all!
Trekaroo tip: If you don’t have access to all the ingredients listed in a recipe, don’t be afraid to improvise!
40 Vacation Drinks You Can Make at Home
Rum Cocktails
1. Mai Tai from Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii
We start our cocktail journey with the first cocktail that comes to mind when I think of vacation, the Mai Tai. Many people associate the Mai Tai with a Hawaiian vacation, but Victor J. Bergeron claims to have invented it at his restaurant, Trader Vic’s, in Oakland, California back in 1944.
Our friends at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore have shared their recipe for the iconic Mai Tai. A sip of this will definitely transport you to someplace warm and sunny.
Ingredients
– Dash of Grand Marnier
– 1 1/4 shot Spiced Rum (recommendation: Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum)
– 1/4 cup Pineapple Juice
– 1/4 cup Orange Juice
– Dash of Lemon Lime
– Dash of Almond Syrup
– Float of Dark Rum (recommendation: Hana Bay Premium Dark Rum)
– Garnishes: Lime Slice, Cherry, and Pineapple Wedge
Instructions
1. Scoop some ice into your favorite glass.
2. Add the dash of Grand Marnier.
3. Pour in the spiced rum, pineapple juice and orange juice.
4. Dash in some lemon lime and almond syrup.
5. Stir it all up.
6. Add the rum floater.
7. Make it pretty with a lime slice, cherry, and a pineapple wedge.
Discover the Top 10 Things to do on a Hawaii Family Vacation.
2. Mai Tai Cider from Plunge Beach Resort in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida
1. Combine Bacardi Rum, maple syrup, orgeat syrup, lime juice, cranberries, ginger, and cinnamon sticks into a cocktail shaker filled with ice until chilled.
2. Strain into an old-fashioned glass.
3. Top with 151 Dark Rum floater and garnish with fresh apple and cranberry.
3. Piña Colada from Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Another one of the most classic vacation cocktails is the piña colada, which originated in Puerto Rico. It is hard sip on a drink made with coconut and pineapple and not get whisked away with visions of a tropical island. Caribe Hilton shares their classic recipe, which dates back to the 1950’s.
1. Mix rum, cream of coconut, heavy cream, and pineapple juice in a blender.
2. Add ice and mix for 15 seconds.
3. Serve in a 12 oz glass and garnish with fresh pineapple and a cherry.
Read this guide to Puerto Rico for first timers.
4. Key Lime Martini from Cheeca Lodge & Spa in the Florida Keys
Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a historic luxury resort in the Florida Keys, shares their creative twist on a classic martini. It celebrates the key lime pie and rum, two things synonymous with the Keys. So go ahead and drink your dessert while imagine yourself sitting under a palm tree in South Florida. You deserve it!
Ingredients
– 1.5 parts Parrot Bay Key Lime Rum
– .5 parts Licor 43
– Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
1. Blend all ingredients in a blender.
2. Rim a martini glass with crushed graham crackers.
3. Pour and enjoy!
When you are ready to plan your trip to the Florida Keys, check out our article on the Top 10 Things to do in the Florida Keys with Kids.
5. Descanso Destroyer from Desanso Beach Club on Catalina Island, California
A favorite local escape for us Southern California folks is Catalina Island. It sits just about an hour off the coast, but this laid-back island feels like it is a world away. The Descanso Beach Club is a popular spot in the charming town of Avalon to kick back with a drink in hand and feet in the sand. Here is one of their most popular drinks, the Descanso Destroyer.
Ingredients
– 1 oz Sailor Jerry Rum
– .25 oz Amaretto
– 1.5 oz Pineapple Juice
– 1.5 oz Orange Juice
– 0.25 oz Crème de Noyaux
– 0.5 oz 151 Rum
– Garnishes: Orange and Pineapple Wedge
Instructions
1. Mix the Sailor Jerry rum and amaretto.
2. Add the pineapple juice and orange juice.
3. Add the Crème de Noyaux and 151 Rum
4. Garnish with pineapple and orange.
Read our guide on exploring Catalina with Kids.
6. The Ancho Girl! from W Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona
I love a good spicy cocktail. Turn up the desert heat at home with this sweet+spicy cocktail from W Scottsdale. Ancho Reyes chile liqueur brings some spicy heat and the blueberry puree cools things down in this drink which celebrates Arizona’s Valley of the Sun.
Ingredients
– 1.5 oz Flor de Cana Anejo Oro Rum
– 1 tbsp Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
– 2 tbsp Blueberry Puree
– 1 Lime, Juiced
– Dash of Bitters
Instructions
1. Pour ingredients into a cocktail mixer filled with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a lowball glass over ice.
3. Pour in the spiced rum, pineapple juice and orange juice
Discover the Top 10 Things to do in Arizona with Kids as well as the best things to do in Scottsdale with kids.
7. Espanto Wave from Cayo Espanto in Belize
Dreaming of a Caribbean getaway? In Belize, Cayo Espanto is a barefoot luxe island resort with villas equipped with a personal butler, private dock area and customized meals set by the on-island world-renowned chef. Make yourself an Espanto Wave, close your eyes, and dream of warm waters and private butlers.
Ingredients
– 1 ounce of Captain Morgan Rum
– 0.5 ounce of Blue Curacao Liquor
– 0.3 ounce of Amaretto
– 0.5 ounce of Triple Sec
– 1 ounce of Pineapple Squash
– 1 ounce of Lime Juice
– 1 tablespoon of Sugar
– Ice Cubes
Instructions
1. Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and frozen..
2. Pour and enjoy!
8. The Bushwacker from The Sandshaker in Pensacola Beach, Florida
The Bushwacker and Pensacola are synonymous with one another. They even have a festival dedicated to the drink! Bar after bar in this beachside town has created its own version but it all started back in 1975 when the Sandshaker’s original owner, Linda Taylor, visited Sapphire Beach Village, St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
She tasted a drink they called “Bushwacker” and liked it so much she decided to make her own version for the restaurant. Here is the recipe for their version of vacation in a glass.
Ingredients
– 4oz. Cream of Coconut
– 2 oz. Kahlua’ Coffee Liqueur
– 1 oz. Bacardi Black Rum
– 1 oz. Creme De Cacao
– 4oz. Half-and-Half
– Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
1. Pour ingredients into a blender with two cups of ice and blend.
2. Pour into a glass.
3. Serve with chocolate syrup and a cherry.
Read about the Top 10 Things to do in Florida with Kids.
9. Blood Orange Mojito from Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island in South Carolina
South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island is known for its incredible beaches and world-class golf courses. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and their signature mojito is the perfect sip to transport you right to their sugary beaches.
Ingredients
– 1.25 oz Brugal Extra Dry Rum
– 5 Limes
– Handful of Mint Leaves
– Natalie’s Blood Orange Juice
– Sliced Ginger
– .5 oz Simple Syrup
Instructions
1. Muddle together sliced ginger, 4 limes, handful of mint leaves, .5 of simple syrup (correct as necessary) and 1 container of Natalie’s Blood Orange Juice.
2. In a glass with ice, pour 1.25 ounces of Brugal Extra Dry Rum and fill to the rim with the signature blood orange mix made in step 1.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge, 1 sugar cane stick, and 1 sprig of mint.
Here are 10 Fun Things to do in South Carolina with Kids.
10. Dark and Stormy from Bermuda
If you have been to Bermuda, you are likely quite familiar with their national drink, the Dark ‘n Stormy® . If you haven’t been, it is time to familiarize yourself with this quintessential Bermudan beverage. The drink is trademarked by Bermudian rum company Gosling’s Rum and they have been kind enough to share their recipe with us.
Ingredients
– 4-5 oz. Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer
– 1.5 oz. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
– Ice
– Lime for Garnish
Instructions
1. In a tall glass filled with ice, add the Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer.
2. Top with the Gosling’s Black Seal Rum.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Read our complete guide on things to do in Bermuda.
11. Rum Punch from Belize
From one national beverage to another, we celebrate rum cocktails in all their glory. This time, we daydream about snorkeling and sunbathing in Belize. The national drink of Belize is Rum Punch, and the Belize Tourism Board has been kind enough to share their version of this local favorite.
Ingredients
– 2 cups of White Rum
– 1 cup of Coconut Rum
– 2½ cups of Fresh Orange Juice and Pineapple Juice
– 1/2 cup of Fresh Lime Juice
– 3 tblsp Grenadine
Instructions
1. Simply stir all the ingredients together in a pitcher or punch bowl, and chill before serving.
2. Use short rocks glasses full of ice, and garnish with slices of orange and pineapple or cherries. This recipe yields 8-10 servings.
Tequila and Mezcal Cocktails
1. Carmesi Maya from Chablé Resort in Mérida, Mexico
When I think about cocktails in Mexico, I think tequila!
Chable Yucatan is a resort that was built on an old agave factory. It is home to the largest private tequila collection in the world. According to the resort, the Carmesi Maya cocktail has been inspired by the beautiful red color “carmesi” and the great citrus flavors of the Maya region.
Ingredients
– 2 oz Tequila Chable Cristalino (or Blanco Tequila)
– 1 oz Licor 43
– 1 oz Lime Juice
– 1 1/2 oz Orange Juice
– 1 oz Simple Syrup
– 1 oz Hibiscus Extract
– Tortilla Ashes (or Salt)
Instructions
1. Pour liquid ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice.
2. Shake for a few seconds and then pour it in an old fashioned glass.
3. Garnish with a ring of salt.
2. Blueberry Mezcalita from Grand Residences Riviera Cancun in Mexico
Mezcal is the national spirit of Mexico and like its cousin, tequila, it is made from agave. Tequila comes from a specific agave plant but mezcal can be created with any type of agave. So, in essence, tequila is a type of mezcal.
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun shares this refreshing and fruity cocktail that will transport you right to their beachfront pool.
Ingredients
– 2 Oz. Mezcal
– 2 Oz. Cranberry Juice
– 2 Oz. Sprite
– 1/4 cup of Blueberries
– 2 Slices of Lime
– 4 Mint Leaves
– Ice
– Garnishes: Sprig of Mint and Blackberry
Instructions
1. In a glass add the green lime, blueberries, and mint leaves.
2. With a pestle for cocktails, macerate until the juices are released and well mixed.
3. Add the ice cubes, the cranberry juice, the sprite, the mezcal, and mix.
4. Decorate with the blackberry and the sprint of mint.
3. Pineapple Mexican Mule from Mexico
– 1.5 oz. Quality Tequila
– Slice of Fresh Lime
– A Few, Fresh Pineapple Chunks
– 1 Bottle of Ginger Beer
– Cubed Ice
– Fresh Mint
1. Add a slice of lime and pineapple wedge to the bottom of a chilled copper mug or glass.
2. Use the back of a spoon to muddle the lime and pineapple.
3 Add your tequila and stir.
4. Add ice, cubed or crushed, 3/4 of the way full.
5. Pour in the ginger beer and garnish with a lime wheel, fresh mint, and pineapple slice.
4. Grapefruit Margarita from Montage Los Cabos in Mexico
If you have been lucky enough to stay at a Montage resort, you know that they are first class all the way. So it is no surprise that the Montage Los Cabos is sharing a first rate margarita recipe.
They are also sharing various other recipes through their #MontageAtHome series on Instagram. Thank you to our friends at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, which Montage is a member of, for pointing me in the direction of this tasty series.
– 2 oz. El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
– 2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
– 1 oz Cinammon Syrup
– Fresh or Dried Lime Slice and a Salt or Sugar Rim for Garnish
1. Combine all cocktail ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake vigorously until chilled and diluted.
3 Cut a lime wedge, moisten the rim of a medium glass, and then dip in salt or sugar for the rim.
4. Pour cocktail into glass and serve.
5. San Miguel Sunset from The Hotel Matilda in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz. Casa Dragones Tequila Joven
– 1 3/4 oz Roasted Beet Juice
– 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
– 1/2 oz. Agave Nectar
– 1 oz. Orange Liqueur
Instructions
1. Combine all cocktail ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake and strain into a glass.
3 Garnish with a cherry and citrus peel.
Vodka Cocktails
1. Fleurs & Fleurs from The London West Hollywood in Beverly Hills, California
If you have dreams of a sophisticated and trendy Hollywood getaway, this next drink comes from a hotel that boasts an atmosphere of British style melded with Southern California sensibility.
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills has put together a cocktail that celebrates the flavors of spring .
Ingredients
– 2 oz Kiwi Infused Ketel One Vodka
– ¾ oz Fresh Lemon
– ¾ oz Simple Syrup
– 1 oz fresh Strawberry Juice
– 2 Big Basil Leaves
– Strawberries, Orange Essence, and Edible Flowers for Garnish
Instructions
1. Add all ingredients into a shaker.
2. Add ice and shake.
3. Strain over ice into a highball glass and garnish.
2. Lavender Bliss Martini from Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel Valley, CA
Another taste of spring comes from Carmel Valley Ranch. Their signature Lavender Bliss martini is garnished with lavender sprigs from their lavender farm, but at home you can find a few sprigs in your (or a generous neighbor’s) yard.
This cocktail really does a great job of embodying the region. It is sophisticated, beautiful, and built around nature.
Ingredients
– 2 oz. Absolut Vodka
– ½ oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
– ½ oz. Lavender Simple Syrup
– Blueberries, Lime, and Lavender Sprigs for Garnish
Instructions
1. Add vodka, lime juice, and lavender simple syrup into a shaker.
2. Add ice and shake.
3. Strain over martini glass and garnish.
3. White Cosmo from Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida
Anyone who watched Sex in the City is familiar with the traditional pink cosmopolitan. Brazilian Court Hotel decided to mix things up a bit and created this white cosmopolitan using white cranberry juice topped with a beautiful orchid ice cube.
Even if you don’t have a spare orchid, you can still easily make this beverage at home. Don’t be afraid to swap out the orchid for a different edible, organic flower you might have in your garden.
Ingredients
– 2 oz Stolichnaya Vodka
– 1 oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
– ¾ oz White Cranberry Juice
– 1/2 oz Lime Juice
– 1 Orchid Ice Ball*
Instructions
1. In a shaker, combine liquid ingredients with ice.
2. Shake vigorously and strain into a carafe.
3. Place orchid ice ball in a martini glass and pour contents of carafe over ice ball.
*Orchid Ice Ball: Place 1 pesticide-free orchid in 2” diameter ice ball mold, fill with filtered water, and freeze.
4. Aruba Ariba from Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive in Aruba
Aruba is the sunniest island in all of the Southern Caribbean, so it is not surprise that this drink looks like a sunset in a glass. The mixologists at Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive share this recipe for the Aruba Ariba.
They normally use coecoei liquor, which is only found in Aruba and derived from the sap of local agave plants, but have adapted the recipe so you can make it at home.
Ingredients
– 1 oz. Orange Juice
– 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
– 1 oz. Vodka, such as Tito’s
– 1/2 oz. Light Rum
– 1/2 oz. Dark Rum
– 1/2 oz. Banana Liqueur
– Splash Grenadine
– Dark Grand Marnier
Instructions
1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Place all ingredients except grenadine and Grand Marnier into shaker and shake.
3. Pour cocktail into tall glass over ice.
4. Float grenadine and Grand Marnier on top.
5. Ranga’s Espresso Martini from Hotel Ranga in Iceland
Iceland has rapidly become one of the most popular destinations for families looking for adventure, immense beauty, and something different from a typical beach vacation.
Hotel Ranga in Iceland is sharing a cocktail which doubles as dessert. They suggest making your own syrup with dark chocolate and orange zest.
Ingredients
– 1 oz. Katla Vodka
– 1 oz. Orange/Chocolate Syrup
– 1 oz. Vodka, such as Tito’s
– 1 oz. Espresso
– Chocolate and Orange Zest for Garnish
Instructions
1. Add all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until frothy.
2. Fine-strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with chocolate and orange zest.
Gin Cocktails
1. The Famed Original Martini from the Knickerbocker in New York City
The most classic and sophisticated gin cocktail in the world originated in New York City way back in 1912. Rumor has it, the birthplace of the martini was at The Knickerbocker in Times Square.
Kick it old school with a recipe that has been tried and true for over 100 years.
Ingredients
– 2 oz Tanqueray 10 Gin
– 0.75 oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
– 0.5 oz Cocchi Torino Vermouth
– Dash of Orange Bitters
– Dash of Citrus Bitters
– Lemon Twist for Garnish
Instructions
1.Place all ingredients in martini glass and stir.
2. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Important: This martini is stirred and not shaken.
Here are 15 Fun Things to do in New York City with Teens.
2. Enchanted Forest from Wymara Resort & Villas in Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos is home to one of the most picture-perfect beaches on the planet, Grace Bay Beach. It is gorgeous and so is this next beverage, which comes from mixologist Paolo Pattitucci of Wymara Resort & Villas.
Ingredients
– 1 ½ oz Star of Bombay Gin
– 1 tsp Organic Raspberry Jam
– 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
– ¾ oz Ginger & Lemongrass Syrup
– 1 ¼ oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
– Fresh Raspberries for Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine all of the above ingredients on ice in a cocktail mixer.
2. Shake for a few seconds then double-strain in a martini coupe glass.
3. Garnish with fresh raspberries.
3. The North Shore Collins from Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in Florida
The North Shore Collins is the Vinoy’s twist on the Gin Rickey, a classic Prohibition cocktail is reminiscent of the resort’s history during the Roaring 20’s.
The resort’s cocktail nods to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s version of the drink, but adds a touch of simple syrup and rosemary to the mix.
Ingredients
– 1 oz. Old St. Pete Gin
– 0.75 oz. St. Germaine
– 0.5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
– 0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
– 1 Cucumber Slice
– 1 Rosemary Sprig
Instructions
1. Combine gin, St. Germaine, lime juice, simply syrup in a mixing tin. .
2. Add cucumber and rosemary and muddle.
3. Add ice and shake vigorously.
4. Strain over fresh ice in a tall glass.
5. Add lime twist and rosemary sprig as garnishes.
4. The Royal Treatment from White Mountain Hotel & Resort in North Conway, New Hampshire
This may be one of the prettiest drinks I have ever seen. There is just something so unusual and beautiful about a lavender beverage dotted with fresh fruit.
White Mountain Hotel in New Hampshire shares the recipe for the Royal Treatment, which we all definitely deserve right about now. The key to the color is the distinctive purple gin.
Ingredients
– 1 1/2 oz. Empress 1908 Gin
– 3 oz. White Cranberry Juice
– Dash of Sparkling Wine
– Kiwi, Berries, and Mint for Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine gin, white cranberry juice, and sparkling wine in iced glass and stir.
2. Garnish with kiwi, berries of your choice, and mint.
Here are our favorite things to do in New Hampshire.
5. Cucumber Cooler from Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California
Ingredients
– 1.5 oz. Nolet’s Gin
– 1 oz. Simple Syrup
– 0.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
– 5 Mint Leaves
– Muddled Cucumber
– Tonic
Instructions
1. Muddle mint and cucumber together.
2. Mix all ingredients in a shaker except tonic and shake for 20 seconds.
3. Pour over fresh ice and top up with tonic water.
4. Garnish with a long cucumber slice wrapped around inside of glass.
Whiskey and Bourbon Cocktails
1. River Trip Punch from Earth at Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, Maine
Who doesn’t love a great punch for sipping down by the river?
Can’t get to the river right now? Your backyard or your couch will do just fine. Earth at Hidden Pond, a “farm to fork” restaurant in Kennebunkport, Maine, shares their recipe for a punch that will take you back to the lazy days of summer.
Ingredients
– 4 oz of Langsford Road Bourbon Whiskey
– 1.5 oz of Black Tea
– 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
– 1 oz Pineapple Juice
– 1 oz Orange Curacao
– 4 oz. Soda Water
Instructions
1. Fill punch bowl half-way with ice.
2. Combine all ingredients except for the soda water and stir in bowl.
3. Once stirred top with soda water.
4. Garnish with pineapple, lemon & lime wheels, and/or seasonal edible flowers from the garden.
These are the absolute best things to do in Maine on your family vacation.
2. Honey Queen from the Westin Puntacana Resort & Club in the Dominican Republic
Combine a good whiskey cocktail with a Dominican Republic beach and you have paradise.
Can’t reach paradise today? Luckily, you can still drink like you are there. Westin Puntacana Resort & Club has shared their recipe for the Honey Queen, along with a video on how to make it.
Ingredients
– 2 Basil Leaves
– 1 oz of Puntacana Forest Honey (or your favorite substitute)
– 1.5 oz Jack Daniels
– 2 oz of Passionfruit Juice
– 1 oz of Lemon Juice
Instructions
1. Add all of the ingredients into a mixing glass.
2. Stir with a spoon to dissolve the honey.
3. Add ice and mix.
4. Strain then serve in a highball glass.
3. The Haymaker from The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana
If you haven’t had the pleasure of spending a week or two in Montana during the summer, make it a priority. Big Sky Country is laid back, slow-paced, and stunningly gorgeous.
A guest ranch vacation is unlike any other, and The Ranch at Rock Creek provides a 5-star experience with endless activities. They have shared their recipe for The Haymaker, a switchel.
This type of drink was common in colonial America, where it was used to quench hay harvesters’ thirst during the hot, long hours in the fields.
Ingredients
– 2 tblsp Apple Cider Vinegar
– 3 tblsp Ginger Syrup
– 1.5 oz Single Malt Whiskey (The Ranch at Rock Creek uses Glacier Distilling Wheatfish)
– 1.5 cups Water
– 1/2 Fresh Lemon, Juiced
Instructions
1. Add apple cider vinegar, ginger simple syrup, water, and fresh lemon into a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake well, strain into a Collins glass with ice.
3. Add whiskey, stir, and garnish with a lemon round.
Here are our picks for 10 great things to do in Montana with kids.
4. Peaches & Bourbon from Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina
Is there anything more southern than peaches and bourbon? This classic cocktail definitely transports me to a porch swing in South Carolina’s Low Country. Montage Palmetto Bluff shares their recipe for this traditional treat.
Ingredients
– 1.5 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
– 3 oz. Lemonade
– 3 oz. Peach Cider
– Garnish with Peach or Lemon Wedge
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients into a shaker and mix vigorously.
2. Pour ingredients into a Collins glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a slice of peach or lemon wedge.
5. Mint Julep from The Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky
We couldn’t possibly put together a vacation cocktail roundup without including a mint julep straight from Kentucky! This recipe comes from The Brown Hotel, a Louisville landmark since 1923.
This drink is synonymous with the Kentucky Derby so put on a flamboyant hat and sip on this, the symbol of southern elegance.
Ingredients
– Crushed Ice
– 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
– 2 oz Mint Simple Syrup * (recipe below)
– Splash Club Soda
– Fresh Mint Sprigs, for Garnish
Cocktail Instructions
1. Place crushed ice in a silver cup, preferably.
2.Pour in bourbon and mint simple syrup and stir.
3. Add club soda, if desired.
4. Garnish with fresh mint.
Mint Simple Syrup Instructions
1. Combine equal amounts of sugar and water and several sprigs of spearmint (tied in cheesecloth) in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar melts.
2. Cook it a few minutes to get a thicker syrup.
3. Remove from the heat, remove mint from the syrup once satisfied with the flavor.
Discover 10 great things to do on a Kentucky Family Vacation.
Wine and Champagne Cocktails
1. Rosé Mojito from Casa Sensei in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Have an unopened bottle of rosé? Well lucky for you, lead bartender Jessica Allen of Casa Sensei has a fruity take on the classic mojito that will put it to good use.
This drink only requires 5, easy-to-find ingredients, so you will be able to rosé all day in no time!
Ingredients
– 1/2 of a Lime
– 6-8 Fresh Mint Leaves
– 1/2 Cup Rosé
– 1/4 Cup Club Soda
– 1 Lime Wedge
Instructions
1.Cut 1/2 of the lime into wedges and muddle to release lime juice.
2. Add mint leaves and strawberries to lime juice and gently muddle.
3. Pour in the rose, add ice, and shake.
4.Strain the contents and pour into a glass.
5. Top off with soda water.
6. Use extra mint leaves for garnish.
2. The French 75 from Paris, France
Ahhh…. Paris. So sophisticated, beautiful, and romantic. Many of us dream of a Parisian escape, and wouldn’t a cocktail help us daydream just a little bit more?
Marissa Stevens from PinchandSwirl.com shares her recipe for The French 75. It was was first created at a bar in Paris in 1915 and was said to have the kick of a French 75mm field gun, hence the name.
Cocktail Ingredients
– 2 oz. Champagne
– 1 oz. Gin
– 1/2 oz. Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup
Cocktail Instructions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin and Meyer lemon simple syrup.
3. Shake well and strain into a Champagne glass.
4. Top with champagne.
5. Stir gently and serve.
Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup Ingredients
– Juice of 1 Meyer Lemon (about 3 tblsp)
– 2 tblsp Super Fine Sugar
Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup Instructions
1. In a small bowl, whisk Meyer lemon juice and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Makes enough for 4 cocktails.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Paris with kids.
3. Mango Sangria from Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands have long been a vacation paradise for those dreaming of azure waters and beautiful beaches. What goes better with azure waters and beautiful beaches than sangria?
Rosewood Little Dix Bay has shared their recipe for Mango Sangria, which sounds so refreshing and tropical that I can’t wait to be whisked away!
Ingredients
– 1 oz. Mango Puree
– 3/4 oz Gin
– 3/4 oz Grand Marnier
– 4 oz. White Wine
– Garnish with Mango and Dry Orange
Instructions
1.Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake gently.
3. Pour into glass and garnish.
4. Il Riccio Spritz from Capri Palace Jumeirah in Capri, Italy
– 1 oz. St. Germain
– 1/3 oz Blue Curacao
– 4 oz. Italian Prosecco
– 1 Splash of Soda Water
– Fresh Mint
1. Combine Curacao, St. Germain, and prosecco in an iced glass.
2. Gently stir and top with soda water.
3. Add minty for garnish and serve.
5. Lake Como Getaway from The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, California
Whether you are wishing for a Napa Wine Country getaway or a week on Lake Como in Italy, this next drink will help get you to your happy place.
This recipe is shared with us from Olive & Hay at The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley, but the cocktail is called the Lake Como Getaway because it uses the flavors of Italy to create a lemony, refreshing drink.
– 1.5 oz. Limoncello
– 2 oz. Prosecco
– 3 oz. Bitter Lemon Tonic Water
– Lemon Slices for Garnish.
1. Use all 3 ingredients to build over ice (only a few ice cubes).
2. Finish off by garnishing with two lemon slices.
But Wait- There’s More Cocktails!
1. Pisco Sour from Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel in Peru
Peru is my favorite country I have visited (so far!) and though my recent trip to this South American gem has been delayed, I can dig into my pisco stash at home and still enjoy the country’s national cocktail.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit Machu Picchu and the rest of Peru, put it near the top of your bucket list. It is a country filled with distinct culture, fabulous food, and incredible scenic beauty. Until then, use this recipe shared by Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, which sits at the foot of one of the world’s great wonders.
Ingredients
– 3 oz. Pisco
– 1 oz Lime Juice
– 1 oz Simple Syrup
– 1 Egg White
– Angostura Bitters
– 5-8 Ice Cubes
Instructions
1.Place all ingredients in a shaker and shake for 10 seconds.
2. Using a strainer, pour contents into a glass.
3. Add 2 drops Angostura Bitters on top of foam and serve.
2. Barraquito from Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife is an island in the Canary Islands known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beaches, and looming volcano, Mt. Teide. The island is owned by Spain, but located off the coast of West Africa.
Tenerife’s star drink is the barraquito. It is often enjoyed after a nice meal on the terrace of one of the island’s charming cafes.
Ingredients
– Milk
– Espresso
– Condensed Milk
– Ground Cinnamon
– Lemon Peel
– Licor 43
Instructions
1. In a small and short bube glass pour the condensed milk.
2. Then add Licor 43 “to give that cheerful touch”.
3. Above this, layer the espresso.
4. Finally a layer of milk and one of milk foam to achieve the five characteristic colors of the barraquito.
5. It is essential to finish the recipe with a small slice of lemon and a little cinnamon sprinkled on the foam.
Note: This cocktail can be made to taste. If you want it sweeter, add more condensed milk, if you want it stronger, add more liquor, etc. Pour each ingredients slowly and with the help of a spoon to avoid them mixing too much.
3. Caipirnha from Brazil
Bradley Williams from DreamBig, TravelFar shares the caipirinha, a cocktail that always makes him think of golden, sandy beaches in South America. Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil, and is made with Cachaca, a popular distilled alcohol.
Ingredients
– 1 Lime
– 1 tblsp. Golden Caster Sugar
– 1 3/4 oz. Cachaca
Instructions
1. Chop a lime into 4 pieces and place 3 of these into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add in 1 tablespoon of golden caster sugar and muddle together well.
3. Fill an old fashioned glass with crushed ice and then pour the ice into the cocktail shaker.
4. Add in the Cachaca.
5. Shake well for 15-20 seconds and then pour straight back into the glass (if necessary, top glass up with more crushed ice).
Bonus Tip 1: For an even better caipirinha, before muddling your limes go ahead and cut off the rind. It removes the slightly bitter taste that this sometimes causes and makes for an even sweeter and tastier cocktail!
Bonus Tip 2: Feel free to include other fruity ingredients to add new flair to your caipirinha. Strawberries and lime make for a popular choice.
4. Little Nell Hot Toddy from the Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado
Not all vacation dreams are based in hot and tropical places. Some of the best vacations are ski vacations in posh Rocky Mountain cities like Aspen, Colorado.
The Little Nell in Aspen is a 5-star hotel that serves up plenty of drinks to warm you up after a few hours on the slopes. Exclusive Resorts shares the recipe for The Little Nell Hot Toddy, perfect for daydreaming about the slopes.
Ingredients
– 2 oz Hennessey VSOP Cognac
– 3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
– 1/2 oz. Anise, Nutmeg, and Honey Simple Syrup
– Rishi’s Chamomile Medley Tea
– Nutmeg-dusted Lemon Wheel
Instructions
1. Build the cocktail in any insulated glassware, combining the cognac, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
2. Top with chamomile medley tea.
3. Garnish with a nutmeg-dusted lemon wheel.
- Disneyland Christmas 2024- Your Complete Guide - November 15, 2024
- Christmas Events in Los Angeles Metro for 2024 - November 12, 2024
- The Best Christmas Events in Orange County, CA for 2024 - November 8, 2024