5 Refreshing Calypso Cocktails

Click the image to get the recipe

It’s Independence Weekend in America! We know you’ve already got the jerk chicken wings and barbecued baby back ribs covered. Now let’s make sure your package of cute little cocktail umbrellas from last year doesn’t go to waste.

In this week’s summer recipe countdown, we’re bringing on the ice cold and refreshing tropical libations. Keep fresh fruit on hand for garnish as well. If the kids get jealous, please rinse out the shaker before making the alcohol-less versions for them. And please make sure yourself and your friends drink responsibly.

Back to business – quench your thirst this summer with one of these delicious Calypso cocktails!

1. Chef Irie’s Special Cucumber Lemonade

This combination of cool cucumber juice with vodka, fresh mint leaves and simple sweetness could creep up on you. It’s only as strong as you make it, but it’s definitely an interesting island twist for your summer afternoon soiree. Get the Cucumber Lemonade recipe.

2. Margarita

The Margarita is a Mexican tequila based cocktail traditionally served with the appropriate lime and salt embellishments in a glass shaped like an inverted sombrero. Mexico is sometimes but not always considered a part of the Caribbean, because it is actually a part of the mainland and not an island. But we don’t care about the geographical connotations. Just bring on the tequila!

Click the Margarita image to get the recipe

3. Bahama Mama

This fruity, exotic blend is considered one of the best tropical cocktails and brings together rum, coffee and coconut liqueurs and pineapple juice. Although its origins are unknown, today it is one of the most well known and widely consumed drinks in the Bahamas. Best served over ice.

Click the Bahama Mama image to get the recipe

4. Piña Colada

The Piña Colada is the national drink of Puerto Rico. It even has its own National Piña Colada Day, which is celebrated each year on July 10th. This creamy, coconutty, sweet cocktail tastes awesome served either frozen or on ice with a maraschino cherry on top.

Click the Pina Colada image to get the recipe

5. Cuba Libre

A strong rum based cocktail credited to Havana, Cuba with a name that literally translates to “Free Cuba”. In most other countries, the drink is commonly referred to as a Rum and Coke. A Cuba Libre cocktail is usually served in a highball glass filled with ice and garnished with a lime wedge.

Click the Cuba Libre image to get the recipe

 Be sure to take photos of your own tropical libation creations and share them on our facebook page, pinterest or instagram using the hashtag #tastetheislands so we can share them with our community!