Nothing screams tropical drink more than rum. Even though I am not in the islands, I can make my outdoor deck feel like a Caribbean cruise after serving these mouthwatering medleys. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Coffee Colada
The coffee colada is a perfect dessert drink after a nice summer lunch or brunch. I have made these often but never had a name for this delicious concoction. I found that a classic colada is made up of rum, coconut milk and fruit juice. Then I found out a coffee bean is considered a fruit. “Viola!” Coffee Colada is it. Serves 2.
Ingredients
3 oz light rum
3 oz Cream of Coconut
6 oz Fresh Brewed Coffee
2 cups crushed ice
2 oz dark rum (for the floater)
Garnish
Whipped cream
Chocolate covered coffee beans
Straw
Preparation
1. Add all the ingredients except for dark rum in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour in an extra large wine glass or classic colada glass.
4. Add 1oz dark rum floater (optional)
5. Top with whipped cream and a few chocolate covered coffee beans
Ron Pom Punch
I tried this yummy blend on a snorkeling trip in Cozumel, Mexico. We were battling strong tides for about an hour on a reef that had been very damaged by a recent hurricane. After we boarded back on the boat, the crew had this huge cooler with a hand written sign that said “Ron Punch”. Rum is referred to as Ron in Mexico. After just one drink, we all wanted to get to know Ron better. I don’t know exactly what was in this but I have tried to recreate the drink using pomegranate. This would be a great drink for large parties. Just put it in a fountain and off you go. This particular recipe serves 2.
Ingredients
3 oz golden rum
½. Add all the ingredients to a blender and pulse enough to mix up the ice and chill the drink.
2. Pour into an extra large wine glass or classic colada glass.
3. Garnish with an orange slice.
The Stingray – A Special Blueberry Mohito
I call this one the stingray because it was inspired by a trip that I took to Grand Cayman. Right off the north shore is a sandbar called stingray city. Here you can swim, pet and feed these curious creatures. The blueberries represent the crystal blue water and I use a brand of rum native to Cayman called Tortuga Rum. I would have to say that Tortuga Rum is one of the best rums I have ever tasted. Serves 2.
Ingredients
4 oz Tortuga Gold Rum
16 fresh mint leaves
2 oz fresh lime juice
4 tsp sugar
2 oz blueberry juice
4 oz lemon lime soda
2 cups crushed ice
Garnish
Mint Leaves
Fresh Blueberries
Preparation
1. Muddle the mint and sugar in a shaker
2. Add rum, blueberry juice, lime and a cup of ice into shaker and shake
3. Pour over crushed ice in a martini glasses
4. Top with soda
5. Garnish with mint leaves and fresh blueberries
