Getaway in a Glass: Caribbean Cocktails
There are a few key ingredients in a Caribbean vacation, no matter which beach you’re parked on - sun, sand, seawater, and something to sip. Similarly, there are a few flavors that make something immediately identifiable as being from the Islands - a little bit of rum, a splash of pineapple, maybe a grate of nutmeg or a dash of coconut cream (and don’t forget the garnishes!) Whether your winter plans include jetting to a beach, or you just need a little island flavor in your holiday celebrations, we’ve lined up some Caribbean classics that offer a little getaway in a glass.
Turks and Caicos | Bambara Rum Punch
Beach bums beware: Turks and Caicos will ruin you for life. The island chain, a mere 20 miles southeast of the Bahamian archipelago, is known for its sugary sands and placid blue pools, which are best enjoyed with a side of conch...cracked, curried, or creole. Divided into Turks Islands (Grand Turk and Salt Cay) and Caicos Islands (South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Pine Cay, and Parrot Cay), Turks is a haven for snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, and sun-soaked beach experiences (like sipping a cocktail, perhaps!)
The Turks and Caicos Rum Punch reflects the vibrant spirit of the islands. Central to this drink is Bambarra Rum, named after a settlement established by survivors of the 1841 Trouvadore shipwreck. Introduced in 1996, Bambarra Rum is crafted from sugar cane molasses and aged in oak barrels, embodying the rich rum-making traditions of the Caribbean.
Make the cocktail:
1 oz Bambarra Coconut Rum
1 oz Bambarra Dark Rum
3 oz Orange Juice
3 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Grenadine
Float (add a layer on top) with Myers dark rum
Finish with a cherry or a pineapple garnish and enjoy.
Where to stay: COMO Parrot Cay
A private island resort with a health and wellness focus, the 75-room COMO Parrot Cay is one of the most luxurious resorts in Turks and Caicos. The sprawling 1,000-acre property is a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales, offering guests unrivaled privacy in a tranquil atmosphere. The standout feature is the COMO Shambhala spa, a world renowned wellness facility with a yoga pavilion, pilates studio, numerous treatment rooms, and an in-house Ayurvedic doctor. The holistic theme continues in restaurants, where chefs happily cater to individual dietary restrictions. Rooms have a simple Balinese style and high-end amenities, while the resort’s private villas have luxe features like outdoor showers and private pools.
The Bahamas | Goombay Smash
Scattered like a string of pearls, the 700 Bahamian islands, cays, and islets stretch from their most northerly point - less than an hour's flight from Miami - south, across 500 miles of the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. Also the landing point of Columbus' first expedition to the Americas, the region's beautiful beaches range from uninhabited to bustling, but are consistently enviable for their sunny skies and pristine waters. The capital of Nassau is located on the island of New Providence, and other notable islands include Eleuthera and Harbour Island.
Created by Miss Emily at Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar in Green Turtle Cay, the Goombay Smash has deep roots in Bahamian culture. Traditionally, the Goombay Smash combines rum with coconut-flavored ingredients such as coconut rum or coconut cream. Pineapple juice is a common addition, adding sweetness and a tropical fruit flavor, often complemented by a splash of citrus juice for balance. The cocktail's name, "Goombay," originates from the music and dance culture of the Bahamas, characterized by rhythmic drum beats and lively performances that embody the spirit of the islands.
Make the Cocktail:
1 ounce spiced rum
1 ounce coconut rum
1⁄4 ounce apricot brandy
2 ounces pineapple juice
2 ounces orange juice
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour into a highball glass and garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
Where To Stay: The Dunmore
On the pink sands of Harbour Island, The Dunmore captivates visitors with its unique history and whimsical Bahamian charm. Formerly the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s private Caribbean retreat, The Dunmore still maintains an air of exclusivity. Sixteen guest cottages line the palm-fringed property, where guests spend their days lounging by the pool and lunching at the buzzy on-site restaurant.
British Virgin Islands | The Painkiller
Composed of more than 60 islands, cloyingly named 'virgins' by Christopher Columbus (who called a particularly curvaceous island 'fat virgin' - or Virgin Gorda), this gorgeous archipelago does indeed evoke a sense of feminine beauty with its lush rainforests, white-sand beaches and bright turquoise waters. Some islands are uninhabited, while others have been declared national parks, yet the most popular among travelers are the four largest islands, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. But most are undeveloped, and all are a great destinations for snorkeling, diving, hiking and sailing.
Created in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke island, the Painkiller blends dark rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and orange juice. The cocktail's name reflects its reputed ability to “alleviate stress and induce relaxation” - a.k.a. give you a fun night, making it a favorite among tourists and locals alike in the BVIs. Over the years, the Painkiller has gained international fame, becoming a staple at beach bars and resorts throughout the Caribbean.
Make the Cocktail:
2 ounces Pusser’s rum
4 ounces pineapple juice
1 ounce orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 ounce cream of coconut
Garnish: nutmeg, freshly grated
Garnish: pineapple wedge
Add the rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut to a shaker with cubed ice and shake vigorously but briefly to combine. Strain into a hurricane glass or snifter over crushed ice. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a pineapple wedge and serve with a straw.
Where To Stay: Rosewood Little Dix Bay
Practically woven into the fabric of Virgin Gorda’s history, you cannot recount the story of the British Virgin Islands without including a chapter on Little Dix Bay. Founded by Laurance Rockefeller in 1964 with the intention of representing a new style of island lodging, the property was meant to blend with its surroundings, leaving the island’s wild beauty as the focal point. A pioneer of barefoot luxury, Little Dix quickly earned a reputation for sublime luxury and unmatched Caribbean hospitality – its hilltop cottages and undisturbed crescent beach attracting repeat visitors year after year. Acquired by Rosewood in 1993, the hotel was set to undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation following its golden anniversary – the efforts of which were destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Today, the long-awaited reemergence of Little Dix Bay has finally come to fruition – Rosewood’s Sense of Place mantra gracing the property with the best of the BVIs. Sip Pusser’s Navy Rum at the bar, eat Anegada lobsters straight from the boat, and as you lounge in a hammock swinging beneath a Tamarind tree, remember that life doesn’t get much better than this.
Riviera Maya | The Margarita
Spanning 80 miles, from the bustling southern tip of Cancun to the bohemian enclave of Tulum, the Riviera Maya is one of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations. A straight-shot highway splits Caribbean shores from mangroves, where the region’s mystical cenotes hide an underwater world steeped in Mayan lore. Big box hotels and pristine golf courses are sequestered in luxury resort complexes, boutique properties give way to sugar white sand, and Mayan ruins appear as though constructed for the very purpose of tourism, overlooking the lapping waves of the Caribbean Sea.
The Margarita, synonymous with coastal bliss and endless summers, traces its origins to 1930s Mexico. Legend has it that it was first mixed in Tijuana for a showgirl who preferred tequila but needed something smoother than a straight shot. Over time, the Margarita evolved into a beloved classic, blending tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur with a salted rim, and its popularity soared, becoming a symbol of leisure and tropical escapes, perfectly embodying the Riviera Maya's vibrant spirit and coastal allure.
Make the Cocktail:
2 ounces tequila
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
3/4 ounce agave nectar or 1/2 ounce simple syrup
3/4 ounce cold water
1 lime, sliced crosswise into wheels
Kosher salt
Before filling the glass with ice, moisten the rim with lime juice and dip it in a dish of kosher salt.
Shake 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, 3/4 ounce agave nectar, and 3/4 ounce cold water vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice, and strain into a chilled rocks glass or coupe filled with ice. Garnish with the wheel of lime.
Where To Stay: Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya
An hour south of Cancun, but worlds away from the party scene, Maroma offers a slice of tranquility. Whitewashed, palapa-topped casitas dot the beachfront property, which was originally built as a private home by famed Mexican architect Jose Luis Moreno in 1980. It reopened in 2023 following a two-year renovation, and no detail has been overlooked. Intimate, artistic, and sophisticated, it’s now one of the chicest stays in the Yucatan.
Barbados | Bajan Rum Punch
Barbados radiates old-world charm, with its pastel colonial architecture and a vibrant cultural history. Spanish navigators took possession of the island in the late 15th century, and it later became a British colony; today, it boasts more high-end properties per square mile than any other Caribbean destination, and offers opportunities to explore lush botanical gardens, historic plantations, and a wildlife-rich interior. With 11 parishes—only two without the stunning coastline—Barbados offers a unique mix of lively energy and laid-back relaxation, so you can enjoy this tropical paradise at your own perfect pace.
The Bajan Rum Punch follows a simple formula of "one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, and four of weak." The result is a balanced and flavorful punch that showcases the island’s high-quality rum, typically enjoyed with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. Originating centuries ago, its precise beginnings are shrouded in the mists of time, but the concoction reflects the island's sugarcane heritage, where rum production flourished from the colonial era. The recipe varies, yet its essence remains a quintessential taste of Barbados, celebrated at social gatherings, beach bars, and festivals.
Make the Cocktail:
1/2 ounce lime juice, fresh squeezed is best
1 ounce simple syrup
1 1/2 ounces dark caribbean rum
2 ounces water or 2 ounces passion fruit juice
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 pinch grated nutmeg (freshly grated is best)
2 -3 ice cubes
Place ice cubes in tall glass. Add lime juice and sugar syrup and stir. Add rum and water (or passionfruit juice), and stir. Add bitters and nutmeg on top, and serve immediately.
Where To Stay: Cobblers Cove
An enchanting piece of England in sparkling, sun-bathed Barbados, Cobblers Cove is a tropical juxtaposition not to be missed. Full English breakfasts and crustless cucumber sandwiches sidle up to seafood and traditional island beverages like they were made for each other. Delicate pink and pale green hues pair with artwork depicting the local wildlife, while a cool and crisp colonial feel permeates the colors and textures. The 1940s mansion has all its original charms, including high ceilings, bay windows, and shutters.