You can feel the sun on your skin, the sand in your toes, and you can hear the ocean waves crashing in the near distance. You’re finally on vacation, and the only thing you need is a crisp, cool cocktail in your hand. Wondering what to order? We’ve got you.
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Here are 5 cocktails to order on your next resort vacay
Mimosa
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so let’s start with a mimosa. The recipe is simple; equal parts orange juice to equal parts sparkling wine. If you’re lucky, the resort will have fresh squeezed orange juice and some local fruit to garnish with. You can even spice up your order by asking your bartender to add cranberry juice or Cointreau to the mix.
Mai Tai
Don’t forget to try a Mai Tai, a sweet, fruity concoction available at almost any resort. There are many variations of the drink, but no matter what recipe your resort bartender is mixing up, it’s going to be delicious, and it’s going to pack a punch. Don’t be fooled by the sweet taste of pineapple and orange, this is one boozy cocktail, and it’s probably best reserved for a relaxing day in the shade.
Original Mai Tai spec:
- 1.5oz aged rum
- 0.5oz orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier)
- 0.75oz lime juice
- 1oz orgeat syrup
- 0.5oz dark rum (top with)
- Fun garnishes including mint, a cocktail cherry, pineapple, and lime
Mojito
Where there’s sun and sand, there’s always mojitos. While the exact origin of the mojito is disputed (some say it dates all the way back to 1586!), it’s a universally loved drink that offers refreshing flavours of muddled mint, lime, sugar, rum, and soda. A classic mojito is a personal favourite, but there will always be variations available. If your resort offers a passion fruit mojito or a blended mojito, order one, or maybe two for good measure.
Classic mojito spec:
- 8-10 mint leaves
- ½ a lime cut into wedges
- Sugar to taste
- 1.5oz rum
- Topped with soda
Caipirinha
Next up is the caipirinha, which is like the mojito in style, but quite different in taste. The main ingredient is cachaca, a fermented sugarcane liquor famously made in Brazil that offers flavours of spice and fruit. It might not be available everywhere, but if the bartender can make you one, you might just stumble upon a new favourite. If you order a caipirinha years later back home, the distinct taste will transport you right back to that resort.
Caipirinha spec:
- 1-2 quartered limes
- Sugar to taste
- 2oz cachaca
- Fresh lime juice
- Crushed ice
Pina Colada
Finally, there’s the pina colada. It’s a resort classic, and I recommend having at least one, especially if you are in a place where rum rules and where pineapple grows fresh. Isn’t there an old saying; if you go on a resort vacation and you don’t drink at least one pina colada, did you ever really go on vacation? Bonus points if it’s served inside a real coconut!
