Bahamian Cocktails: Your Guide to the Best Drinks in The Bahamas

 

There’s nothing quite like a cruise to The Bahamas. The excellent weather, friendly people and never-ending activities will make you want to stay there forever!

On top of that, there are lots of delicious drinks that are either native to The Bahamas, or have simply become popular options there over the years. We’ve collected seven of the best Bahamian cocktails for you to try once your cruise ship reaches Freeport, Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays, or Nassau!

Bahama Mama

The aptly named Bahama Mama is one of the most popular drinks in The Bahamas, and you can’t leave until you’ve had at least one. There’s just something about the flavor of this drink that just yells “Bahamas!”

Here’s how it’s usually made:

• 1/2 oz. 151-proof rum
• 1/2 oz. dark rum
• 1/2 oz. light rum
• 1/2 oz. coffee-flavored liqueur
• 1 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 3 oz. pineapple juice
• Pineapple wedge or orange slice
• Maraschino cherry

All the liquids are shaken together, then strained into a chilled glass filled with crushed ice. Your choice of fruits are then added as a garnish.

Sky Juice

This deceptively strong drink is another popular option in The Bahamas, and is an absolute must for gin lovers. Sky Juice is one of the sweeter cocktails, and can be made even sweeter depending on who is making it for you on your vacation.

Here’s how it’s usually made:

• 1/4 cup gin
• 1 ripe coconut
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• Optional 3/4 tablespoon sugar

Poke a hole in the coconut and drain the liquid into a mixing bowl. Add the gin, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. Stir until everything is dissolved.

Serve by putting the mixture back into the coconut. Add ice, or refrigerate for a couple of hours until it is cold.

The Painkiller

The Painkiller has become more common in recent years, and now there are thousands of people who travel to The Bahamas and drink this refreshing beverage, which is perfect after a long hot day in the Bahamian sun.

The Painkiller is usually made like this:

• 4 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 oz. coconut cream
• 1 oz. orange juice
• Anywhere from 2-4 oz. of rum
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

All ingredients except the nutmeg are shaken together, then poured into a tall glass filled with ice. The nutmeg can then be sprinkled on top for an extra flavor dynamic.

Mojito

Most people are familiar with mojitos, and with good reason. This rum-based cocktail is delicious, refreshing and just tastes better in the Bahamian sun! It could be the attention to detail that Bahamian bartenders give, or it could just be that this refreshing combination of ingredients is perfectly suited for a Bahamian vacation.

This is how most bartenders make the classic mojito:

• 1.5 oz. rum
• Club soda that almost fills the glass
• At least 10 to 15 mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup
• 1/2 of a fresh lime

The first step to making a mojito is to muddle the mint leaves and the lime together. Next, the simple syrup and ice are added. Finally, add the club soda and rum, and stir well. Finally, add a garnish of lime to the top of the glass.

Pineapple Upside-Down Martini

If you’re looking for a cocktail that doubles as dessert, the Pineapple Upside-Down Martini is a must-try. The sunset-colored beverage is a great way to wind down with a sweet-pineapple-and-vodka-based drink.

Here’s how it’s typically made:

• 1/3 cup vanilla flavored vodka
• 2/3 cup pineapple juice
• Dash of grenadine syrup
• 2 maraschino cherries
• 2 pineapple wedges

Pour the vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine into a shaker that’s been filled with ice. Shake then strain into two martini glasses (for yourself, or to share with a friend). Add a garnish of pineapple and a cherry on a skewer.

Frozen Rum Runner

The Bahamas are certainly beautiful, but they are also hot. Fortunately, the Frozen Rum Runner is here to cool you off. If you like frozen drinks, you’ll definitely like the rum-filled version.

Here’s how it’s usually made:

• 1 oz. gold rum
• 1/2 oz. 151-proof rum
• 1/4 oz. blackberry liqueur
• 1/4 oz. creme de banana liqueur
• 2 oz. orange juice
• 1/2 oz. grenadine
• 8 oz. crushed ice

Add the rum, liqueurs, orange juice, grenadine and crushed ice into a blender. Blend until it looks like a slushy, then pour into a glass. Add 151-proof rum on top if you’re feeling bold.

Yellow Bird

Yellow bird has been a Bahamian drink for decades, thanks to a history of being written about in poems and songs. The citrus-and-rum-based drink is different than the other drinks on this list, and some think it has a little more “zip.”

Here’s how it’s usually made in The Bahamas:

• 1 oz. light rum
• 1/4 oz. anise flavored liqueur
• 1/4 oz. creme de banana
• 2 oz. orange juice
• 1 oz. pineapple juice

Blend all the ingredients together and pour over lots of ice. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry to finish it off.

If you’re planning your next beach vacation, make sure you consider a cruise to The Bahamas — even if only for the delicious drinks!