12 Most-Popular Beach Cocktails

Escape to the tropics with these 12 Beach Cocktail Recipes, each one capturing the essence of sun, sand, and surf. From the sweet and tangy flavors of a classic Piña Colada to the refreshing zest of a Mojito, these drinks are crafted to transport you to a beachside paradise. Perfect for summer gatherings or simply dreaming of warmer days, these cocktails are your ticket to a tropical getaway in a glass.

Piña Colada

The Piña Colada is a classic beach cocktail. It’s sweet, fruity, and perfect for a sunny day by the ocean.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Rum
• 1 oz Coconut Cream
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1/4 oz Lime Juice (optional)
• Ice
• Pineapple wedge and/or cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine the rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and ice in a blender.
2. Blend until the mixture is thick and slushy.
3. Taste the blend and add lime juice if you prefer a bit of tanginess.
4. Pour the mixture into a large glass.
5. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and/or a cherry.
6. Serve with a paper umbrella and a straw.

Tips:

• You can make a non-alcoholic version by simply omitting the rum.
• For a creamier texture, use more coconut cream.
• For an added touch, chill the glass beforehand.
• If you can’t find coconut cream, a thick coconut milk can be an alternative.

Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is a quintessential beach cocktail. It’s a rum-based drink that’s fruity and tropical.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz dark rum
• 1 oz orange curaçao
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz orgeat syrup
• Lime wheel and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Measure the white rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup.
2. Add these to a shaker with crushed ice.
3. Shake lightly for about 3 seconds.
4. Pour the mixture into a double rocks glass.
5. Float the dark rum on top.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel and a mint sprig.

Enjoy the Mai Tai on the beach or at a tropical-themed party. This cocktail is known for its refreshing taste and beautiful presentation.

Margarita

A Margarita is a classic beach cocktail. It’s refreshing and tangy. You can enjoy it frozen or on the rocks, depending on your preference.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 oz Triple Sec or Cointreau
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Ice (as needed)
• Lime slices or wedges for garnish

Instructions:

Prepare the Glass:

• Rub a lime wedge around the rim.
• Dip it into salt to coat the rim.

Mix the Ingredients:

• Combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec in a shaker.
• Add ice to the shaker.
• Shake until the drink is well chilled.

Serve:

• Fill the prepared glass with ice.
• Strain the mixture into the glass.
• Garnish with a lime wedge.

A Margarita is perfect for a hot beach day. Simple and quick to make. Adjust the balance of lime and triple sec to your taste. Enjoy your Margarita with friends and make it a staple for your beach outings.

Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is a classic beach cocktail. It is known for its vibrant colors and refreshing taste.
Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila
• 4 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour tequila and orange juice into the glass.
3. Stir to mix.
4. Slowly pour grenadine down the side of the glass. Let it settle at the bottom for the sunrise effect. Do not stir after adding grenadine.

The signature look of the Tequila Sunrise comes from the grenadine. It creates a layered effect similar to a sunrise over the ocean. This cocktail became popular in the 1970s and remains a favorite for beachgoers.

Mojito

The Mojito is a classic beach cocktail. It’s refreshing and easy to make.
Ingredients

• 2 oz. white rum
• 1 oz. lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tsp. finely granulated sugar
• 5 mint leaves
• Club soda
• Ice
• Mint sprig and lime wheel (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Lightly muddle mint with sugar in a shaker.
2. Add lime juice, rum, and ice.
3. Shake briefly.
4. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel.

Alternative Method

• Add sugar and mint leaves to a highball glass.
• Muddle gently to dissolve the sugar.
• Squeeze juice from lime halves into the glass.
• Add rum and stir well.
• Fill the glass with ice.
• Top with club soda.

Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a classic beach cocktail perfect for sunny days. It’s refreshing and simple.
Classic Daiquiri Recipe
Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake for 20-30 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lime slice.

Frozen Daiquiri Recipe
Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 1 cup of ice
• Optional: 1 cup of frozen strawberries

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with fresh fruit.

Variations to Try
Explore other exciting variations such as:

• Allspice Daiquiri: Add a splash of allspice dram for a warm, spicy flavor.
• Campari Daiquiri: Add a dash of Campari for a bitter twist.

The Daiquiri is versatile and can be adapted to different tastes. Experiment with different ingredients and find your perfect mix.

Bahama Mama

The Bahama Mama is a tropical cocktail that whisks you away to sandy beaches. With its vibrant flavors, it’s a favorite for summer gatherings and beach parties.

To mix a Bahama Mama at home, you’ll need:

• 1 oz coconut rum
• 1 oz dark rum (overproof for more depth)
• 0.5 oz coffee liqueur
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz grenadine (optional for extra sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients:
   • In a shaker, add the coconut rum, dark rum, coffee liqueur, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.
   • If using grenadine, add it to the shaker as well.
2. Shake:
   • Fill the shaker with ice.
   • Shake until well-chilled.
3. Serve:
   • Strain the mixture into a Collins or hurricane glass filled with fresh ice.
   • Garnish with a skewered brandied cherry and a pineapple wedge.

For a frozen variation:

• Blend the ingredients with crushed ice until smooth and slushy.
• Pour the blend into a highball or hurricane glass.
• Garnish with pineapple or lime wedges.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon cocktail is a refreshing drink that invokes the feeling of a tranquil beach. This vibrant blue cocktail is perfect for a sunny day by the sea. You’ll need just a few ingredients and some simple steps to mix this delightful beverage.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz blue curaçao
• 4 oz lemonade
• Lemon wheel (for garnish)
• Maraschino cherry (for garnish)
• Ice (crushed is best)

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade.
3. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds, until chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a highball or hurricane glass filled with crushed ice.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry.

Now, enjoy your beautiful and refreshing Blue Lagoon cocktail.

Hurricane

The Hurricane is a classic beach cocktail originating from New Orleans. It’s known for its fruity flavors and vibrant color.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz light rum
• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 oz passion fruit juice or purée
• 1 oz orange juice
• ½ oz lime juice
• 1 tbsp simple syrup
• 1 tbsp grenadine
• Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the light rum, dark rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and grenadine.
3. Shake well until the shaker is frosty.
4. Strain the mixture into a hurricane glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Sex On The Beach

Sex On The Beach is a classic beach cocktail. It’s fruity and refreshing, perfect for warm days.
Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces vodka
• 1 ounce peach schnapps
• 2 ounces orange juice
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• Ice
• Orange slices and cherries for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a tall cocktail glass with ice.
2. Pour in the vodka and peach schnapps.
3. Add the orange juice and cranberry juice.
4. Stir well.
5. Garnish with orange slices and cherries.

Variations
You can make different versions of this drink:

• Frozen: Blend the ingredients with 1 cup of crushed ice.
• Coconut: Add coconut liqueur or coconut-flavored vodka.
• Melon: Use melon liqueur instead of peach schnapps.

Sea Breeze

The Sea Breeze is a classic beach cocktail that originated in the 1980s. It is known for its refreshing and light taste.

Prepare a Sea Breeze with these simple ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 4 ounces cranberry juice
• 1 ounce grapefruit juice

Follow these steps:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice.
3. Stir until the drink is mixed and cold.
4. Serve with a lime wedge for garnish.

You don’t need a cocktail shaker for this drink. Simply mix and enjoy.

To make a pitcher for a group, combine:

• 1 1/3 cups vodka
• 3 3/4 cups cranberry juice
• 1 1/4 cups grapefruit juice

Stir and adjust the taste if necessary. Add ice to the pitcher or serve over ice in glasses.

Planter’s Punch

Planter’s Punch is a refreshing Caribbean cocktail. It combines the bold flavors of rum with tropical juices and spices. Perfect for beach days, this drink offers a delightful blend of sweet and tart.
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces dark rum
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce grenadine
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Club soda (optional)
• Crushed ice

Instructions

1. Add the dark rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and grenadine to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with crushed ice.
4. Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters on top.
5. Optionally, top with a splash of club soda.

Garnish

• Mint sprig
• Cocktail cherry
• Orange slice

Feel free to customize your drink. You can substitute dark rum with light rum for a lighter taste. For extra tropical flavor, add pineapple or orange juice. Skip the bitters for a sweeter punch.

Enjoy your Planter’s Punch as you bask in the sun and listen to the waves.