Whether you’re lounging oceanside or simply craving a taste of vacation at home, a breezy drink can set the mood in an instant. The cocktails below lean on sunny fruit, crisp herbs, and easy-to-find spirits, so you can shake or blend them without hunting down obscure ingredients. Pick your favorite or work through the whole list to turn any afternoon into a laid-back beach party—no airfare required.
Contents
- 1. Piña Colada
- 2. Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
- 3. Mango Mojito
- 4. Blue Hawaiian
- 5. Coconut Rum Punch
- 6. Watermelon Margarita
- 7. Passionfruit Caipirinha
- 8. Bahama Mama
- 9. Pineapple Paloma
- 10. Mai Tai
- 11. Key Lime Pie Martini
- 12. Guava Gin Fizz
- 13. Sunset Rum Runner
- 14. Cucumber Mint Cooler
- 15. Hibiscus Rum Spritz
- 16. Lychee Lemonade
- 17. Coconut-Lime Spritz
- 18. Peach Malibu Splash
- 19. Spicy Pineapple Mezcalita
- 20. Dragon Fruit Mojito
- 21. Kiwi Colada
- 22. Banana Boat Rum Shake
- 23. Coral Reef Sangria
- 24. Tropical Aperol Spritz
- 25. Sea Breeze
- 26. Salty Dog with Grapefruit & Rosemary
- 27. Island Iced Tea
- 28. Coconut Water Cooler
- 29. Tamarind Rum Smash
- 30. Ginger Guava Mule
- 31. Starfruit Sparkler
- 32. Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise
- 33. Almond Joy Martini
- 34. Papaya Punch
- 35. Rum & Ting Shandy
- 36. Blueberry Basil Smash
- 37. Tequila Passion Cooler
- 38. Frozen Mojito Slush
1. Piña Colada
Equal parts white rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice create the quintessential tropical sipper. Blend with a scoop of ice until velvety, then pour into a tall glass for that iconic frothy crown. A pineapple wedge or paper umbrella completes the vacation-in-a-glass vibe.
2. Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Rum, lime juice, and simple syrup get a berry boost from ripe frozen strawberries. Blitz everything in a blender until slushy, adjusting sweetness to taste. The result is bright, tangy, and perfect for beating mid-summer heat.
3. Mango Mojito
Muddle mint and lime, then add white rum, mango purée, and a splash of club soda. The classic Cuban refresher takes on silky tropical notes from the fruit. Serve over crushed ice so flavors stay lively to the last sip.
4. Blue Hawaiian
White rum meets blue curaçao, coconut cream, and pineapple juice for a color that rivals lagoon waters. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass to keep the hue brilliant. It’s sweet but balanced, with coconut smoothing out the citrus-forward liqueur.
5. Coconut Rum Punch
Light and dark rums mingle with coconut water, orange juice, and a dash of grenadine. Stir everything in a pitcher and let it chill so the flavors marry. Ladle over ice for an easy crowd-pleaser that tastes like sunset in a glass.
6. Watermelon Margarita
Fresh watermelon purée replaces triple sec for a lighter, fruit-forward twist on the classic margarita. Combine with blanco tequila, lime juice, and a touch of agave syrup, then shake vigorously. A salted rim punctuates the drink’s sweet-tart balance.
7. Passionfruit Caipirinha
Cachaça, muddled limes, and raw sugar provide the Brazilian backbone, while fresh passionfruit adds tropical perfume. Stir well so the pulp threads through the ice. Each sip is sweet, sour, and delightfully fragrant.
8. Bahama Mama
This layered beauty blends dark rum, coconut rum, coffee liqueur, and pineapple and orange juices. A drizzle of grenadine sinks to the bottom for that sunset effect. Despite the complexity of flavors, it’s remarkably sippable and mellow.
9. Pineapple Paloma
Swap the traditional grapefruit soda with fresh grapefruit juice and pineapple juice, then top with club soda for sparkle. Reposado tequila lends gentle oak notes that complement the fruit. A salted rim makes each taste pop.
10. Mai Tai
Shake aged rum, curaçao, orgeat syrup, and fresh lime, then crown with a float of dark rum. The almond-rich orgeat ties everything together, giving the drink its signature depth. Serve over crushed ice so the aromas open up slowly.
11. Key Lime Pie Martini
Vanilla vodka, key lime juice, and coconut milk mimic the beloved dessert in liquid form. A graham-cracker rim adds crunch and authenticity. Shake until frothy, strain, and enjoy a slice of the Keys without turning on the oven.
12. Guava Gin Fizz
Blend gin, guava nectar, egg white (or aquafaba), lime, and simple syrup, then shake twice for a velvety head. Top with soda to lighten the texture. The floral guava plays beautifully with juniper-forward gins.
13. Sunset Rum Runner
Light and dark rums meet banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, and citrus juices for a fruity powerhouse. A dash of grenadine provides the sunset gradient. Serve over crushed ice so the layers slowly meld as you sip.
14. Cucumber Mint Cooler
Vodka, muddled cucumber, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime create spa-day freshness. Top with club soda or lemon-lime soda for gentle fizz. It’s crisp, hydrating, and low-key enough for all-day enjoyment.
15. Hibiscus Rum Spritz
Steep dried hibiscus in hot water for a tart crimson concentrate, then cool. Combine with white rum, a splash of sparkling wine, and simple syrup. The floral tang and bubbles make this a lively aperitif.
16. Lychee Lemonade
Vodka or light rum mixes with canned lychee syrup, fresh lemon juice, and cold water. Shake or stir, then strain over ice to catch stray fruit bits. The result is floral, lightly sweet, and endlessly refreshing.
17. Coconut-Lime Spritz
Combine coconut rum, fresh lime, and a dash of simple syrup, then top with prosecco. The carbonation lifts the creamy coconut so the drink stays light. It pairs as easily with brunch as with sunset snacks.
18. Peach Malibu Splash
Peach purée and coconut rum create a juicy, slightly creamy backbone. Add a squeeze of lemon and splash of club soda for brightness. It’s sweet but not cloying—ideal for stone-fruit season.
19. Spicy Pineapple Mezcalita
Smoky mezcal meets fresh pineapple juice, lime, and a touch of agave. A jalapeño slice shaken in delivers gentle heat, amplified by a chili-salt rim. The balance of smoke, sweet, and spice keeps you coming back.
20. Dragon Fruit Mojito
Pureed red dragon fruit adds electric color to the classic mint-rum-lime combo. Sparkling water lightens the texture without muting the hue. It’s as photogenic as it is refreshing.
21. Kiwi Colada
Blend fresh kiwi, white rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice for a tart twist on the piña colada. Tiny black seeds add playful texture. Serve icy cold to keep the flavors vivid and bright.
22. Banana Boat Rum Shake
Ripe bananas, dark rum, vanilla ice cream, and coconut milk whirl into a boozy milkshake. A pinch of grated nutmeg echoes classic tiki notes. It doubles as dessert and cocktail in one frosty package.
23. Coral Reef Sangria
Rosé wine, peach schnapps, and tropical juices form the base, while chunks of mango, orange, and strawberry infuse color and flavor. Chill for at least two hours so the fruit perfumes the wine. Pour over ice and garnish with extra berries for a party-ready punch.
24. Tropical Aperol Spritz
Swap traditional soda with pineapple juice, then combine Aperol and prosecco as usual. The bittersweet liqueur plays nicely with the mellow fruit. Light, effervescent, and tailor-made for beach brunch.
25. Sea Breeze
Vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice keep this classic crisp and slightly tart. Build directly over ice for zero fuss. A quick stir is all it needs before you dive in.
26. Salty Dog with Grapefruit & Rosemary
Gin or vodka joins fresh grapefruit juice for sharp citrus bite. A salted rim echoes ocean spray, while rosemary adds herbal depth. It’s simple yet surprisingly aromatic.
27. Island Iced Tea
This tiki riff on Long Island swaps cola for pineapple juice and passionfruit syrup, keeping the five-spirit backbone. Despite its potency, the juicy mixers mellow the booze. Sip slowly and maybe pace yourself with some snacks.
28. Coconut Water Cooler
White rum, coconut water, and a squeeze of lime yield a light, electrolyte-rich refresher. A dash of elderflower liqueur adds floral sweetness without heaviness. Perfect for hydrating while you imbibe.
29. Tamarind Rum Smash
Tangy tamarind concentrate, dark rum, fresh lime, and brown sugar create deep, sweet-sour complexity. Muddle mint for freshness, then pack with crushed ice. The flavor is exotic yet surprisingly sessionable.
30. Ginger Guava Mule
Vodka, guava nectar, and lime juice get kick from spicy ginger beer. Serve in a chilled copper mug to keep the fizz lively. The tropical fruit softens ginger’s heat for an easy-drinking highball.
31. Starfruit Sparkler
Muddle ripe starfruit with simple syrup, then strain into a flute and top with cava or prosecco. A dash of elderflower liqueur heightens the fruit’s subtle sweetness. Light bubbles let the unique flavor shine.
32. Blood Orange Tequila Sunrise
Use blood orange juice in place of standard OJ for deeper color and berry-like notes. Build tequila and juice over ice, then sink grenadine for the sunrise stripe. Stir gently just before drinking to blend flavors without losing the visual drama.
33. Almond Joy Martini
Coconut rum, chocolate liqueur, and amaretto mimic the famous candy bar. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass rimmed in toasted coconut. It’s indulgent yet balanced, with the almond note preventing overpowering sweetness.
34. Papaya Punch
Blend fresh papaya with white rum, orange juice, and a hint of lime, then dilute with chilled black tea for complexity. Serve from a large bowl so guests can ladle their own. The tea tones down sweetness while adding gentle tannin.
35. Rum & Ting Shandy
Combine Jamaican rum with Ting, the Caribbean grapefruit soda, then top with light lager. The beer softens the soda’s bite while the rum lends warmth. It’s low in alcohol and high in refreshment.
36. Blueberry Basil Smash
Muddle fresh blueberries and basil with lemon juice, then add gin and simple syrup. Shake and strain over pebble ice for maximum dilution and flavor. The herb and berry combo feels garden-fresh and beach-worthy at once.
37. Tequila Passion Cooler
Blanco tequila pairs with passionfruit juice, lime, and a splash of soda. A touch of honey rounds the tart fruit. The seeds add tropical texture that’s fun to scoop up at the end.
38. Frozen Mojito Slush
Freeze lime juice, simple syrup, and water into cubes, then blitz with rum and fresh mint for a granita-like treat. The icy texture keeps herbs bright and aromas vivid. It’s the ultimate heat-wave antidote and a fitting finale to any beach-themed menu.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.