These essential tropical drinks are deliciously fun! Choose from fruity tropical cocktails featuring pineapple, coconut, rum and more.
Looking for drinks with a tropical vibe? Here’s a full lexicon of classic tropical drinks that use fruity flavors to build deliciously beachy cocktails! There’s 1940’s and 50’s icons like the Pina Colada and Mai Tai, or try the Brazilian national drink sensation, the Caipirinha. There’s no strict definition of tropical cocktail, but these drinks often feature flavors like pineapple, orange, coconut, and passionfruit. The overwhelming majority are tropical rum drinks. Here are the heavy hitters that immediately bring a carefree beach vibe.
And now…the essential tropical drinks to try!
This tropical dink could not be easier to make or more stunning! Layer coconut rum, pineapple and cranberry juice and you’ve got a delicious fruity drink: sweet tart with a tropical finish! This one’s a spin on the classic Bay Breeze using coconut rum instead of vodka (also known as the Malibu Bay Breeze).
Ingredients: Coconut rum, pineapple juice, cranberry juice
Here’s a bright blue tropical drink that’s as beautiful as the ocean: the Blue Hawaii! This one is as classic 1950’s as it gets, from the crushed ice to the drink umbrella. Both vodka and rum feature in this sweet tart drink, along with a secret ingredient that brings in its ocean-tinted color.
Ingredients: White rum, vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup
The piña colada is one of the most popular tropical drinks there is! But did you know it’s a classic cocktail invented in the 1950’s? It’s gotten so popular that most restaurant and bar versions stray far from the essence of the real thing. Here’s how to make a piña colada…the real way! It’s so full of sophisticated, intriguing flavor that it will become your go-to. Or, try our Frozen Piña Colada.
Ingredients: White rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, ice, frozen pineapple, lime juice
Here’s a delicious tropical drink that's a spin on the classic: the Pineapple Mojito! The classic Mojito is one of our top greatest cocktails of all time: bubbly, minty, and artfully simple. Add tropical pineapple to the mix, and it’s a symphony of flavor! The sweet tart of the fruit balances the tangy lime and sweet cooling mint perfectly.
Also try: Coconut Mojito
Ingredients: Fresh mint, lime juice, simple syrup, white rum, soda water, pineapple juice
Here’s a drink that’s creamy, cool, refreshing and an absolute must for any margarita lover: the Coconut Margarita! This tropical spin is unlike any other margarita variation you’ve tried! Coconut pairs perfectly with the zing of lime and bite of tequila. The best part? The toasted coconut drink rim gives you a crunchy, tropical infusion to each sip.
Ingredients: tequila, Triple Sec or Cointreau, lime juice, cream of coconut
Here’s a tropical cocktail recipe that’s so pristine, it’s no wonder it’s got a long history. Try Rum Punch! The balance of the ingredients is ideal: instead of overly saccharine is perfectly sweet tart, fruity, and tropical. In fact, it’s so good you won’t be able to resist another sip.
Ingredients: White rum, dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine
Looking for a tropical drink full of irresistible frosty flavor? Try this Banana Daiquiri! This spin on the classic frozen daiquiri is one of our favorite frozen drinks for impressing guests because: it’s just that irresistible! It’s got a pure banana flavor complimented by the zingy lime, vanilla and oak notes of aged rum, and a hint of orange liqueur on the finish.
Ingredients: Bananas, aged rum, Cointreau or Triple Sec, lime juice, simple syrup, ice
So you love piña coladas? Then you absolutely must try a Painkiller! This 1970’s tropical drink is a spin on the classic piña colada, but even better. It stars aged rum, cream of coconut, and orange juice, which add intrigue and nuance to this sophisticated drink. Top it off with a little grated nutmeg, and wow! It’s fruity, tropical, and just darn tasty.
Ingredients: Aged rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, orange juice, grated nutmeg
Need a tropical drink that’s refreshing, frosty, and all about flavor? Try the Bahama Mama! It's all about carefree vibes, featuring not one but two types of rum with pineapple juice and lime. Drink it straight on the rocks, or our favorite way: blended into an icy slush. Our spin on it is perfectly balanced: not too sweet and silkily sippable.
Ingredients: Dark rum, coconut rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, ice
The Caipirinha (“Kai-pir-reen-yah”) is the national drink of Brazil, and it's just that good. There’s truly nothing like it! It’s made with cachaça, a liquor made of sugar cane, which tastes like a funky version of rum. Combine that with lime, sugar and lots of ice, and you’ve got one of the uniquely refreshing beverages on the planet.
Ingredients: Cachaça. sugar, Lime wedges
The Mai Tai is a classic cocktail from the 1940’s that’s been (cough) ruined by overly sweet bar versions of this drink. How to make a real Mai Tai? This tropical rum drink is breathtakingly complex, featuring two types of rum, orange liqueur, and fancy almond syrup. It’s just sweet enough, with nutty and vanilla notes against the sharp citrus.
Ingredients: Aged rum, Cointreau (or Grand Marnier), lime juice, orgeat syrup, dark rum
Here’s a brilliant tropical drink that’s visually stunning with a deliciously fruity flavor: the Malibu Sunset! This layered rum drink brings the party with coconut rum, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Add grenadine and it layers into the gradient of the colors of a sunset! This refreshing beachy drink is pure delight.
Ingredients: Coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine
Here's a fun and unique tropical drink: the Hypnotic Breeze! Hpnotiq is sky blue liqueur tastes of passionfruit and mango, so it’s ideal for mixing into a vaguely tropical cocktail. It’s ocean-hued, fruity, and refreshingly sweet tart, pairing this bright liqueur with tangy pineapple and lime.
Ingredients: Hpnotiq, white rum, simple syrup, lime juice, pineapple juice
Looking for a sunny spin on a tropical drink? Try the Mango Daiquiri! This spin on the classic daiquiri is frosty and refreshing, with an intoxicating sweet tart flavor. In fact, we took one sip and exclaimed in delight! It’s a bit like mango smoothie meets mango margarita, but the rum version.
Ingredients: Frozen mango, aged rum, Cointreau or Triple Sec, lime juice, ice
Last up in these essential tropical drinks: the Jungle Bird! Love fruity drinks but want something more complex? The Jungle Bird is one of the few rum cocktails to pair tropical flavors with an Italian bitter: Campari. You might know Campari from the Negroni: an ultra dry and bitter drink. But add it to a tropical drink and the effect is surprising: it perfectly balances the drink and gives the finish an intriguing complexity.
Ingredients: Dark rum, pineapple juice, Campari, lime juice, simple syrup
Types of rum for tropical cocktails
When it comes to tropical cocktails, the overwhelming majority are tropical rum drinks! When it comes to stocking this spirit, there are several different types of rum that all have different flavors. They might seem interchangeable, but they’re each unique! You’ll need 4 main types of rum for tropical drinks:
- White rum: The classic! White rum has a straightforward flavor rum with the signature fruity finish.
- Aged rum: Also known as golden rum or añejo rum. Aging gives it notes of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel.
- Dark rum: Also aged, it has a deep, caramel flavor and sometimes notes of cinnamon and spices (see Dark Rum Cocktails)
- Coconut rum: Malibu is the most common: a sweet coconut-flavored liqueur made with Caribbean rum.
Tropical Bay Breeze (& More!)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
This Tropical Bay Breeze recipe is a delicious tropical cocktail that pairs coconut rum, cranberry and pineapple. Layer together and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces 100% pineapple juice
- 1 ½ ounces coconut rum
- 2 ounces 100% unsweetened cranberry juice*
- 1 lime wedge or pineapple wedge
Instructions
- Add the pineapple juice and coconut rum to a glass and stir. Fill the glass with ice.
- In a shot glass or small pitcher, place the cranberry juice (make sure it is unsweetened; see notes!). Pour the cranberry juice right on top of the ice and it will settle on top.
- Garnish with a lime or pineapple wedge and serve.
Notes
*Look for 100% unsweetened cranberry juice: it has the best flavor. Sweetened cranberry juice (aka cranberry juice cocktail) has a different density, so it will not layer in the same way.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Tropical drinks
More cocktail recipes
There are so many cocktails to try outside of these beach drinks! Here are 300+ cocktail recipes for every occasion:
- Classics: Try Classic Cocktails or Great Cocktail Recipes.
- Easy: These Easy Mixed Drinks and Cheap Drinks have just 2 to 3 ingredients.
- Fancy: Opt for the best in Craft Cocktails.
- The Big 5: Try all our cocktails with Gin, Vodka, Whiskey, Tequila or Rum.
- Beachy Drinks: Try Top Beach Drinks to Try or 10 Must-Try Frozen Alcoholic Drinks.
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