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Our Favorite Caribbean Cocktails You Can Make At Home

Paul O'Meara

Winter is coming…and you know what that means. Starting your car - in your pajamas - 15 minutes before you have to leave. Wearing layers upon layers of clothes to stave off frostbite as you run your daily errands. Pit-stopping at your local Dunkin’ for your piping hot large hazelnut with skim milk and two Splenda. All in an effort to keep warm.

Don’t you wish it was still summer? Still time for your favorite frosty, fruity beach drink? You know, the one that comes with a fancy umbrella in it? The one that makes the sand in your toes whiter and the sunset more amazing? Well, you’re in luck! Here is a list of our favorite Caribbean Cocktails that you can make at home - all year round…cheers!

Planter's Punch - Jamaica

It's not just a drink, it's a way of life, says Rick's Cafe about their refreshing rum and fruit juice concoction. Depending on your latitude, this fruity concoction was either created by the wife of a Jamaican plantation owner - or at the Planter Hotel in St. Louis - and is known as Rum Punch at virtually any beach resort in the region. Regardless, it’s become one of the most served beverage throughout the Caribbean. Recipes vary widely, but they all contain rum (we love Jamaica-distilled Appleton), fruit juice and a sweetener…

Mix ingredients together and pour over ice. Add a splash of club soda and be transported (even in the dead of winter) to the land of jerk chicken and Bob Marley!

Painkiller - British Virgin Islands

A version of the classic Painkiller had its start at the six-seat Soggy Dollar Bar on a long stretch of white sand beach at White Bay on the island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. There’s no dock, so the usual way in is to swim. Of course, your dollars get wet, hence the name “Soggy Dollar Bar”! The Painkiller has become the official drink of the BVI’s over the years - and is as much loved for its fruity taste as it is for the views where it is enjoyed!

  • 2 oz. of Pusser’s Rum

  • 4 oz. pineapple juice

  • 1 oz. cream of coconut

  • 1 oz. orange juice

  • Grated fresh nutmeg

Add liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into a big glass or goblet filled with ice. Grate fresh nutmeg on top - and post a picture to Instagram to make all of your friends jealous!

Rum Punch - Turks & Caicos

An absolute must at one of the top-rated beach bars in the world - Da Conch Shack! Situated directly on the #1 beach in the world according to TripAdvisor, this must-visit spot not only has outstanding snacks and main courses, but also features its own rum bar. Belly up…

  • ½ oz. lime juice

  • 4 oz. orange juice

  • 4 oz. pineapple juice

  • 1 ½ oz. dark rum

  • 1 ½ oz. light rum

  • A little grenadine for color

Mix ingredients together, pour over ice and sprinkle with nutmeg and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Make sure to say hi to our friends, Bartender extraodinaire John Wayne (yes, really!) and and General Manager Karel Rodney when you visit!

Chi Chi - Aruba

Called a "cousin to the Pina Colada", this creamy coconut drink is a favorite of patrons at the MooMba Beach Bar next to the Marriott on Palm Beach in Aruba. Free amazing sunset is included…

  • 1 cup crushed ice

  • 2 oz. vodka

  • 4 oz. pineapple juice

  • 1 oz. cream of coconut

Mix well, then garnish with pineapple and cherry.

BBC (BANANA BAILEY'S COLADA) - ST. MAARTEN

Made with Bailey's, Banana Liqueur and Pina Colada mix, this drink is a favorite of bar goers at the Sunset Beach Bar on St. Martin. If you’ve heard of the Sunset before, it’s because it sits just feet from the airport, offering THISCLOSE views of arriving jumbo jets!

  • ½ banana

  • 1 ½ oz. banana liqueur

  • 1 ½ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream

  • 1 ½ oz. coconut cream

  • 1 ½ cups crushed ice

Mix ingredients together, and then add ice and blend.

Nipper Juice - Bahamas

This tantalizing mix of rum, pineapple, orange, and cranberry juice is enough to make us book a ticket to Great Guana Cay, Bahamas and pay a visit to Nippers. This lively beachfront spot has two pools and a tiki bar that screams - “I’ll have another”. The bartenders will tell you it’s hard to stop after just one - and they’re right.

  • 2 oz. rum

  • 2 oz. pineapple juice

  • 2 oz. orange juice

  • 1 oz. cranberry juice

  • Splash of Nassau Royal liquor

Add all ingredients and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry or three.

Karel's Special - Bonaire

The next time you visit Bonaire, be sure to stop in at Karel’s Beach Bar. Its tagline, “Where the magic happens,” can be attributed to two things: its prime oceanfront location and Karel’s Special, its namesake drink recipe. Made with coconut rum and cream of coconut, this is THE rum cocktail for all you coconut lovers out there.

  • 2 oz. Malibu Rum

  • 1 oz. coconut cream

  • 1 oz. pineapple juice

  • Splash of vodka

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake well & strain into a glass.

Why stay shackled to your hot coffee this winter? In a flash, you can create a tropical cocktail from the above list - and drift away to thoughts of your next Caribbean vacation! When you’re ready to plan that warm-warm weather getaway, get in touch with our team of experts at Susan Peavey Travel!