Who said you had to go anywhere for a good time? Grab a blender and make your parents’ basement a top spring break destination with these 25 tropical drinks.
1. Tequila Sunrise
Take your tequila beyond lime and salt. Pretend you’re in Cancun; take away the gasoline taste with some orange juice and fresh fruit flavors.
Get the recipe here.
2. Mai Tai
You finally have a use for that plastic tiki cup and mini umbrella. Hit up the liquor cabinet for rum and triple sec to mix into a combination of cranberry, pineapple and orange juices and enjoy the Polynesian delight.
Get the recipe here.
3. Bahama Mama
This ain’t nothing like your mama… well, probably not. Juice blended with rum and coconut flavored liqueur will leave you feeling like you’re on a cruise ship—especially if you have more than one.
Get the recipe here.
4. Mojito
Lime, mint, rum, why not? Throw them in cocktail shaker with some lemon-lime soda and sugar and you’ll be ready to rock.
Get the recipe here.
5. Red Sangria
The biggest divide among winos: red versus white. Red lovers, skip the traditional longer preparation and mix your favorite classic in a few seconds by throwing together some cheap wine and orange soda. Get classy and throw in some fresh fruit.
Get the recipe here.
6. White Sangria
Members of the other camp can also avoid getting tied up in the preparation. A little Sauvignon Blanc, club soda, sugar, limes, raspberries and kiwi will make a great drink for any night…or afternoon.
Get the recipe here.
7. Red Stripe
When you’re tired of liquor and having to, you know, mix drinks, save the work and grab yourself the Jamaican pale lager. Fortunately, it’s now brewed in the US so you only have to hit up your local bottle shop for that island flavor.
8. Dirty Banana
Here’s a fun way to get your potassium. Blend together a banana, ice, rum, milk and sugar. It might have fruit, but it’s still probably not what the doctor ordered.
Get the recipe here.
9. Long Island Ice Tea
You might feel like your mom, but mother knows best. Anything that combines triple sec, vodka, rum, gin and tequila makes for an interesting evening. Just don’t forget to add the cola and sour mix or you won’t have a good time.
Get the recipe here.
10. Margarita
You can’t beat a classic. A little lime, salt, triple sec and tequila always spices up a night. Try it frozen or on the rocks.
Get the recipe here.
11. Strawberry Daiquiri
You’ve been sipping the virgin version since elementary school, now you can take it to the next level. Make your own with rum, strawberries, sugar and some lemon-lime flavor or skip the work and grab a pre-made mix at your grocery story. There’s nothing wrong with a shortcut.
Get the recipe here.
12. Mango Daiquiri
If you’re tired of strawberry, get more tropical with some mango flavor.
Get the recipe here.
13. Sex on the Beach
Since you’ll be missing the real thing (hey, a bro can dream), calm your sorrows with a mixture of melon liqueur, peach schnapps, vodka and fruit juices.
Get the recipe here.
14. Pineapple Upside-Down Cocktail
Love or hate the cake, the drink has definite possibilities. Mix that leftover cake vodka, pineapple juice and syrup and plop the obligatory cherry on top. It’s probably nothing like grandma’s dessert.
Get the recipe here.
15. Caribbean Rum Punch
Variations of the cocktail have been circulating the West Indies and getting sailors drunk for hundreds of years. Rum and lime, orange and pineapple juices will serve well enough. If you’re feeling ambitious, sprinkle with nutmeg and add a cherry and orange slice for a garnish.
Get the recipe here.
16. Mudslide
Coffee lovers, your time has come. Blend vodka, coffee liqueur and Irish cream liqueur and top it with a chocolate drizzle and whipped cream. Can you beat an alcoholic Frappuccino?
Get the recipe here.
17. Dark and Stormy
For a quick fix, squeeze a lime over a glass of ice and add rum and ginger beer. Not bad for three ingredients.
Get the recipe here.
18. Modelo
Don’t limit your imported beer to Jamaica. Your buddies will be drinking the pilsner-style lager in Mexico. If you think you won’t be able to find it, it’s the second-most imported beer in the US.
19. Planter’s Punch
Though it first appeared in the New York Times, the drink has become a must in tropical resorts. Mix dark rum and grenadine with your choice of island juices and club soda. Good luck picking between orange, pineapple and passion fruit.
Get the recipe here.
20. Hurricane
Avoid the beach and keep the storm to your glass. Mixing rum and amaretto with tropical flavors concocts a drink sure to break waves.
Get the recipe here.
21. Blue Hawaiian
Smurf it up with rum, vodka and Blue Curacao. The mixture with sweet and sour mix and pineapple juice is definitely worth a taste. Just remember to brush your teeth if you do decide to go somewhere. Blue teeth aren’t attractive in public.
Get the recipe here.
22. Piña Colada
“Do you like piña coladas?” It turns out that you don’t need a beach bar to live it up like Jimmy Buffet. Grab some rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice and blend yourself some deliciousness.
Get the recipe here.
23. Painkiller
Switch up your piña colada by skipping the blender and adding some orange juice and a sprinkle of nutmeg. I know it feels like you’re violating art, but sometimes change is good.
Get the recipe here.
24. Lava Flow
Skip the volcanoes and the sunburn. Keep your “magma” in your glass by pouring the classic piña colada on top of strawberry puree. You’ll avoid the burn, but might get just a little tipsy.
Get the recipe here.
25. Pineapple-Orange Mimosa
Be honest. If you try a portion of these drinks, the morning won’t be pretty. Sip away the misery with some juice…and a little bubbly.
Get the recipe here.
