Summer, especially the beautiful month of August, is the perfect time to indulge in a drink. Even if you don't enjoy alcohol there are many refreshing, tropical options out there that will help you beat the heat. The following cocktails (and mocktails!) are perfect for sipping on the beach, or as an accompaniment while you dine al fresco.
Tortuga Rum Punch
Cayman's signature cocktail!
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Tortuga Gold Rum
4 oz. Tortuga Caribbean Rum Punch Mix
Fresh lime juice
Angostura Bitters
Directions
Combine the rum and rum punch mix with a splash of fresh lime juice and a dash of Angostura Bitters over cracked ice. Shake and pour into a glass. Makes one serving.
Pineapple-Mint Mojito
A traditional cocktail with a tropical twist.
Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh mint leaves (packed)
1.5 cups fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2” pieces
4 limes, cut into 8 wedges
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (packed)
2 cups rum
1.5 cups fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2” pieces
Club soda
Directions
Boil sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add 1 cup fresh mint leaves. Allow to cool.
Puree 1.5 cups pineapple in blender until smooth. Strain cooled mint syrup into blended pineapple and combine. Cover and chill.
To assemble cocktail, muddle 2 pieces of pineapple, 1 tablespoon mint leaves and 3 lime wedges in cocktail shaker. Add 2 ounces of rum and 2 ounces of pineapple-mint syrup. Fill with ice and shake for 30 seconds.
Pour into highball glass, top with club soda and garnish with a lime wedge. Repeat for each cocktail. Makes 8 servings.
The Cayman Sunset
The perfect drink for watching the sun go down...
Ingredients
1.5 oz. dark rum
1 oz. amaretto
2 oz. orange juice
2 oz. pineapple juice
2 oz. banana liqueur
Grenadine
Directions
Combine dark rum, amaretto, orange juice, pineapple juice and banana liqueur in a mixing glass with ice.
Shake and pour into a tall glass with ice. Add a splash of grenadine. Makes one serving.
Virgin Mojito
A basic, non-alcoholic take on the classic recipe.
Ingredients
1 cup lime juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups fresh mint leaves (chopped)
2 cups softened lime sherbet
1 cup fresh lime juice
8 cups club soda
Limes, cut into wedges
3 cups water
Directions
Boil sugar and 2 cups water together in a saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add mint leaves. Allow to cool.
Strain cooled mint syrup into glass. Combine lime sherbet, 1 cup water and lime juice in pitcher and add syrup.
Add club soda and stir. Serve in a glass over ice, garnished with a lime wedge. Makes 14
servings.
Virgin Painkiller
A painkiller that leaves you clear-headed!
Ingredients
8 oz. pineapple juice
2 oz. orange juice
2 oz. cream of coconut
Fresh grated nutmeg
Directions
Combine pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut in a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir.
Pour into a cocktail glass filled with ice and garnish with grated nutmeg. Makes 2 servings.
What's your number one cocktail to enjoy in the Cayman Islands? We'd love to hear your tried-and-true favourites and original recipes! Contact us on Twitter or Facebook.
Recipe Sources: Tortuga Rum Cakes, Epicurious, Rum Shop Ryan, All Recipes, Food.com
