Raise Your Glass to Caribbean Cocktails—And Your Next Vacation!

When it comes to tantalizing cocktails, the Caribbean is the ultimate destination to try them all. After soaking in the sights, sounds, and breathtaking beaches and waterfalls, you can take a piece of paradise home with some of the tastiest cocktail recipes around. Start with a simple Strawberry Daiquiri or a Rum Runner (recipes below) and let your creativity flow as you explore the rich flavors of the islands!

In this post, we’ve compiled must-try Caribbean cocktails and recipes so you can recreate the island vibes at home. Whether you're reminiscing about your getaway or planning your next adventure, these recipes bring a true taste of the Caribbean to your glass!

Picture: Poolside drinks and entertainment at Sandals Grenada in the Caribbean. All you need for your vacation is included!

The Irrisitable allure of Caribbean cocktails

There's just something about Caribbean cocktails that makes them stand out. Whether it's a creamy, refreshing Piña Colada or a bold, zesty Rum Punch, these drinks seem to taste better when paired with powdery white sands and swaying palm trees. Vibrant and full of flavor, the best island cocktails bring the Caribbean vibe to life with every sip!

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At all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean like Sandals Resorts, you can enjoy your go-to drinks or discover new favorites while soaking up the sun. Whether you prefer your cocktails virgin or with a bold kick, here are a few recipes we know you'll love!

Insider Tip: Craving some beach action? Here's the top Sandals Resorts with the best beaches—perfect for your next vacation!

Strawberry Daiquiri

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Looking for an amazing cocktail to try during vacation or one to make right at home? Look no further than a daiquiri, a Strawberry Daiquiri at that! This is a fun and even romantic cocktail that you can enjoy for any occasion. We’ve got some history on this cocktail below:

The history of the Strawberry Daiquiri

No doubt about it, the Strawberry Daiquiri is one of the most popular cocktails around. This mix has origins in Cuba. In fact, the cocktail is named after a beach, the Daiquiri Beach near Santiago de Cuba. The Strawberry Daiquiri is a twist on the classic daiquiri cocktail, and it was invented in the early 20th century. Fruity, sweet and delicious, this cocktail came to life not too long after the classic daiquiri started rocketing in popularity.

The Strawberry Daiquiri is usually made with white rum, lime juice, and sugar. We like to imagine that this cocktail came out of a bartender or establishment’s desire to add a little color to this already delectable cocktail. So, in came the strawberries. This became a key ingredient that not only enhanced the flavor, but uplifted the appearance of the cocktail with its vibrant pink hue.

Insider Tip: At Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean, your meals, drinks and anytime snacks are all included in the cost of your vacation. That means you can indulge in refreshing island cocktails whenever the mood strikes!

The go-to Strawberry Daiquiri recipe

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If it’s your first time making a Strawberry Daiquiri, we recommend that you start with the simple recipe below. It’ll soon become a classic in your circles:

Ingredients

• 4 strawberries (the fresher, the better)
• 2 tablespoons of white sugar
• 35ml of white rum
• 1 tablespoon of strawberry liqueur
• Squeeze of lime juice.

Method

Step 1: Add the strawberries, white sugar, white rum, strawberry liqueur and a squeeze of lime to a cocktail shaker. Use a rolling pin to mash the ingredients together until well combined.
Step 2: Put the lid on your cocktail shaker and give it a good shake.
Step 3: Prepare a martini glass and strain your strawberry goodness straight into it.
Step 4: Serve immediately and enjoy!

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri recipe

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Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris are hugely popular across the Caribbean. They’re so refreshing, and perfect when enjoyed in the sunshine. The frozen variation on this island-inspired cocktail has the same kick as the original, courtesy of a key ingredient: white rum.

The main ingredients remain the same, just ice is added. So, to try this one you’ll need light rum, fresh strawberries, the juice of one lime, frozen strawberries and sliced lime to serve.

Method

Step 1: Grab your blender and throw in one part fresh strawberries, one part frozen strawberries and two parts rum.
Step 2: Blend until the mixture reaches a slushy consistency.
Step 3: Have a taste and add lime until your daiquiri has a sharp kick that cuts through the sweetness of your strawberries.
Step 4: Serve in chilled martini glasses

A frozen variation of the Strawberry Daiquiri for Triple Sec fans

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There’s more than one way to make a Strawberry Daiquiri. If you’re a lover of Triple Sec, give this one a try. To make this variation on the classic frozen Strawberry Daiquiri recipe, you’ll need ice cubes, light rum, triple sec, fresh strawberries, lime juice, sugar and a wedge of lime to serve.

Method

Step 1: Add one part strawberries (make sure they’re really fresh), one part triple sec, two parts rum and ice to your blender.
Step 2: Blitz the mixture until it resembles a slushy cocktail.

Step 3: Try the strawberry daiquiri and add lime to taste.
Step 4: This is optional, but if you want to really impress your guests we recommend you roll the rim of your martini glasses in sugar, before straining in the mixture and serving.

The Perfect Piña Colada

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As with most things, if you’ve tried it and liked it before, it’s probably worth enjoying again—and the Piña Colada certainly falls into this category. There’s much to love about this cocktail and even more to discover about its history. For starters, the Piña Colada was first made in Puerto Rico. In 1978, the government of Puerto Rico made the Piña Colada the official national drink. As for who made it first, there's been quite some debate on this over the years! One thing's for sure, this cocktail has grown leaps and bounds in popularity over the years!

Insider Tip: You can enjoy your Piña Colada beachside at a chill all-inclusive resort, or you can make it yourself at home. If you decide to whip it up yourself, all you'll need is rum, coconut cream or coconut milk, and pineapple juice. This cocktail is usually blended with ice which results in a smooth and creamy texture.

How to Make a Great Piña Colada

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Ingredients

• 3 ounces (85g) coconut cream
• 6 ounces (170g) fresh pineapple juice
• 1 ½ ounces (43g) white rum
• Crushed ice
• Pineapple wedge and Maraschino cherry (to garnish)

Method

Step 1: Add the coconut cream, pineapple juice, rum and crushed ice to a blender. If you don’t have a blender you can use a cocktail shaker instead.
Step 2: Blend or shake well until the mixture is completely silky smooth.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into a chilled glass.
Step 4: Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry.

Rum Runner Cocktail

Picture: Poolside at the lively Sandals Grande St. Lucian Beach all-inclusive resort.

The Rum Runner cocktail is rumored to have been invented during the 1950s in Islamorada, Florida by a tiki bartender. In a rush to use up a stock of rum before more was shipped in, the bartender whipped up the Rum Runner, and it was an instant hit. Rum Runners are fairly easy to make, and they leave room for a little creativity. Below, we've included our favorite recipe for this island-inspired cocktail!

Not Your Average Rum Runner

This Rum Runner cocktail uses all of the classic ingredients for this cocktail, but rather than regular orange juice, blood oranges are used. With this swap, your Rum Runner will taste much richer while maintaining the classic, tropical flavors.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Light Rum
• 1/2 oz. Spiced Rum
• 1/2 oz. Crème de Blackberry
• 1/2 oz. Crème de Banana
• 3 oz. Blood Orange Juice
• 1/2 oz. Grenadine

Method

Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Combine the light and spiced rums, crème de blackberry, crème de banana, and blood orange juice, and shake together well.
Step 2: Fill a tall glass with ice, and strain and pour the cocktail into the glass.
Step 3: Top off the Rum Runner with a ½ oz. splash of grenadine. Garnish with cherries and orange slices before serving.

Let Cocktail Cravings Lead to the Islands!

Caribbean cocktails aren’t just drinks—they’re an invitation to experience the islands in every sip. From the bright flavors of fresh fruits to the rich, velvety smoothness of rum, each recipe brings you closer to the heart of the tropics. Whether you’re reminiscing about a past vacation or dreaming of your next, these cocktails are your ticket to paradise.

So, gather your ingredients, shake things up, and let the flavors of the Caribbean transport you. With each glass, you’ll feel the sunshine, hear the waves, and hopefully... you'll be one sip closer to your next vacation!

Insider Tip: If you head off on an all-inclusive vacation in the Caribbean, you can have access to up to 16 restaurants and multiple bars at select Sandals Resorts. At the beachside Sandals Royal Curaçao, unwind in a swim-up bar or simply enjoy the views from the double infinity pool!

Picture: No worries, just beachside bliss at the all-inclusive Sandals Royal Curaçao!