Winter is here to stay for the next few months and we can’t help but think about sipping some tropical cocktails on the beach. Below we’ve highlighted 6 cocktails named after destinations; who knows, maybe it’ll help inspire your next vacation!
Blue Hawaii
Back In 1957 in Waikiki, legendary head bartender of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Harry Yee, invented the now popular Blue Hawaii Cocktail. Harry was approached by a sales representative of Dutch Distiller Bols who asked him if he could concoct a drink that would feature their blue Curacao liqueur, and thus, the Blue Hawaii was born!
As with many cocktails, there are a few variations when it comes to making a Blue Hawaii. In a nutshell, a Blue Hawaii is made up of rum, blue Curacao and pineapple juice. Some of the favorite tropical variances to this drink include using pineapple rum instead of regular white rum for an extra fruity taste or adding coconut cream to the mix for a taste similar to a Pina Colada (which is more commonly referred to as a Blue Hawaiian).
Why not enjoy a Blue Hawaii, served by your butler while lounging poolside in a luxury villa? Check out our Hawaii villas here
Manhattan
The history of the Manhattan cocktail is not very clear. Some say it was created some time in the 1880’s in New York City’s Manhattan Club, others say it was invented in the 1860’s at a bar on Broadway. The drink recipe has not changed very much in the last hundred years. It is composed of whiskey, vermouth, Angostura bitters, ice and a maraschino (or brandied) cherry. Earlier versions of the recipe (and still a few today) call for rye, which has a spicier and edgier profile and equal parts whiskey and vermouth, while today’s Manhattan are usually made with 2 parts whiskey to 1 part vermouth.
Enjoy sipping your Manhattan cocktail with a beautiful view of the city at one of our Manhattan luxury rentals!
Bahama Mama
This tropical classic is among some of the more preferred cocktails while on vacation. It’s unclear of the actual origins of this drink, however rumor has it that it was indirectly named after a 1930’s Caribbean dancer and performer, Dottie Lee Anderson, who also went by the stage name “Bahama Mama”. On the flip side, there is another theory that this drink gained popularity during the Prohibition when the Bahamas were used as a base for rum smuggling.
Bahama Mama’s original recipe is made with light rum, gold rum, creme of coconut, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, Kahlua, Malibu and Bacardi (woo that’s a lot!). Of course over the years bartenders and drink enthusiasts alike have modified the ingredients but the end result is usually a red/yellow swirl of tasty delight!
What could be better than enjoying a perfectly made Bahama Mama on a beach in the Bahamas?! Check out all our Bahamas villa rentals here.
Florida Tracksuit
When you hear the words ‘Florida Tracksuit’ naturally you don’t immediately think of a tasty cocktail. However, despite the visual you may get from the name, it’s actually quite fitting as the drink is made with mostly red bull, orange vodka and Sour Puss raspberry liqueur. Said to have been invented by a few bartenders in a bar located in Ontario, Canada, this drink will definitely make you ready to party the night away on the beach!
To add a fun twist to this cocktail drink it like a Jager Bomb by mixing the orange vodka and Sour Puss raspberry liqueur in a shot glass and dropping it into a glass filled with Red Bull!
Relish in the warm beachy weather with a ‘Florida Tracksuit’ in hand at one of our Florida villas.
Barbados Buck
‘Bucks’ are a drink category in itself that stretches far back into history. It’s the simple combination of a spirit, citrus and ginger beer (or alternatively, ginger ale). Seeing as the ingredients are minimal, they take very little effort to put together, making it a quick option for when you want a refreshing cocktail.
The Barbados Buck is a variation in this category which combines dark rum, white rum, lime juice and simple syrup that is mixed together and then poured over ginger beer on ice. It’s a pleasantly delicious and light beverage that is great to enjoy in tropical weather.
Beat the heat while laying poolside with this cocktail in hand at one of our Barbados villas!
Blue Curaçao
Did you know that Curacao liqueur is traditionally not blue and is actually flavored with oranges? Many years ago, the Spanish had control of the island of Curacao and they decided to grow the Valencia Orange to hopefully make some money through agriculture. This initiative sadly failed due to climate issues but at one point someone discovered that these orange peels can produce an extract which was then used in a liqueur; now known as Curacao.
The blue hue came to be around the turn of the 20th century when exciting blue colored drinks were all the rage around Europe. It is still unknown who exactly invented the blue version.
Okay, so Blue Curacao is technically a liqueur that is added to many fun island cocktails to achieve that vibrant blue hue such as The Blue Lagoon, Blue Margarita and even the Blue Hawaii which we mentioned above; however, you can most definitely enjoy it straight or on the rocks as it is a great option for an aperitif.
Imagine drinking Blue Curacao while on Curacao; now that’s island living! Check out all our villas on Curacao.
No Comments