28 Tropical Drinks That Beg for a Little Cocktail Umbrella

These tropical drinks are just the thing when you're craving sunshine and a warm breeze! Find island-inspired classics and discover new fruity favorites.

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Between the rum, fruit juices and paper umbrella topper, tropical drinks are a good time in a glass. They’re refreshing, sweet and deceptively strong, making tropical cocktails​ the perfect thing to sip on with your beach picnic spread or when you just want to feel like you’re at the beach.

This collection has all the classic fruity cocktails, from a pina colada and mai tai to a tequila sunrise and rum runner. There are frozen drinks that’ll help cool you down in the summer and flavored margaritas you can make all year long. In addition to tropical classic rum drinks​, you’ll also find tequila, vodka and gin cocktails with a fruity twist.

No matter which drinks you mix up, tropical beverages aren’t complete without colorful, easy cocktail garnishes! Skewer slices of fresh pineapple or orange with a few cherries, add a fresh herb sprig, rim the glass with sparkling sugar or salt and finish it off with a paper umbrella.

1/28

Pina Colada

1 Reviews
Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Easy Pina Colada Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: If you love pina coladas—and who doesn't?—enjoy this easy version of the famous tropical drink invented in Puerto Rico. It's a sweet and smooth combo of pineapple chunks, coconut cream, pineapple juice and, of course, rum. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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2/28

Rum Runner

Total Time:10 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Rum Runner Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: The rum runner is thought to have originated in Florida, using rum that was transported from the Bahamas during Prohibition. It was a great way for speakeasies to use up extra inventory before new liquor arrived. —Shawn Barto, Palmetto, Florida
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3/28

Mai Tai

Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Easy Mai Tai Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: The most classic of the tiki cocktails is the Mai Tai, made with both light and dark rums. Its sweet almond notes come from the Orgeat, a milky, mildly sweet syrup traditionally made from almonds and orange flower water. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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4/28

Caipirinha

Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Caipirinha Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: The essential ingredient in this Brazilian cocktail is Cachaca, a liquor made fresh sugarcane juice. Its distinctive herbal flavors pair perfectly with fresh lime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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5/28

Passion Fruit Margarita

Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Passion Fruit Margarita Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Get a punch of passion fruit flavors with this bright and refreshing margarita. It'll bring you right to the tropics with its combination of sweetness from passion fruit nectar, citrusy orange flavors from triple sec and zestiness from a squeeze of lime juice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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6/28

Sex on the Beach Recipe

1 Reviews
Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Sex on the Beach Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Sex on the Beach marries vodka with peach schnapps and vibrant fruit juices to create an easy-to-sip tropical drink with pure vacation vibes. Paper umbrella optional! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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7/28

Mojito

4 Reviews
Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Mojito Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Traditional mojitos are made with rum, which is both pleasant and mildly sweet. If you want a new spin on the classic mojito recipe, try using tequila for tart yet refreshing flavor. —Christine Rukavena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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8/28

Tequila Sunrise

1 Reviews
Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Tequila Sunrise Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: When you really want to relax and enjoy the evening try one of these mild orange-flavored Tequila Sunrises. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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9/28

Coconut Margarita

Total Time:10 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME
From the Recipe Creator: Take your cocktail to the tropics with this coconut margarita. It's very refreshing! —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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10/28

Dark ‘n Stormy

1 Reviews
Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Dark n' Stormy Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: The Dark n' Stormy is a spicy, refreshing drink with a long tradition among sailors in Bermuda. The cocktail's moody color is reminiscent of a storm cloud, the result of using dark rum...the most traditional being Gosling's black rum. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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11/28

Rum Punch

Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Sweet Rum Punch Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Similar to planter's punch, this sweet rum punch also includes orange juice. Add a cherry or pineapple garnish for a festive look. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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12/28

Banana Daiquiri

Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Banana Daiquiri Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: When life gives you ripe bananas, try this tiki treat at home! Pull out the blender and whirl together a glass of this slushy rum-lime-and-banana bliss. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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13/28

Singapore Sling

Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Singapore Sling Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Pretty in pink! The rosy-cheeked and world-famous Singapore Sling was first created in 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. This gin-based cocktail also includes pineapple and lime juices, curacao and Benedictine. Grenadine and cherry liqueur give it its signature hue. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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14/28

Planter’s Punch

1 Reviews
Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME
From the Recipe Creator: If you like your Planter's Punch on the sweet side, add a splash of simple syrup to the shaker. A dash or two of bitters is sometimes added to this classic tropical cocktail. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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15/28

Blue Margarita

Total Time:10 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Caribbean Blue Margarita Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: For a fun spin on a classic cocktail, substitute Blue Curacao for Triple Sec. The vibrant blue margarita will make you think you're on the shores of the Caribbean. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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16/28

Strawberry Daiquiri with Limeade

6 Reviews
Total Time:10 min
Servings:5
Test Kitchen Approved
Strawberry Daiquiri with Limeade Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: When I was in my early 20s, I went on a Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean. I fell for the frozen strawberry daiquiris on board, so I wanted to come up with my own version when I got home. I think this is pretty darned close! —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, WI
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17/28

Mango Margarita

Total Time:10 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Frozen Sriracha-Mango Margarita Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: The sweetness of the fruit helps offset the spiciness of the Sriracha, giving this mango margarita a unique and fun twist. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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18/28

Nutty Hawaiian

Total Time:5 min
Servings:2
Test Kitchen Approved
Nutty Hawaiian Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this tropical-tasting cocktail on a whim one day. Later, when my husband and I went to Key West, Florida, I asked a bartender to make it. He loved it so much that he asked if he could use it, and of course I said yes! —Tracy Davidheiser, Reading, PA
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19/28

Mango Bellini

Total Time:5 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Simple yet delicious, this mango Bellini is made with fresh mango puree and your favorite sparkling wine—I usually choose Prosecco for mine. You can easily turn it into a mocktail by using sparkling water in place of the champagne or Prosecco. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida
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20/28

Minty Pineapple Rum

Total Time:10 min
Servings:14
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: This delicious drink is a fabulous way to use fresh mint and celebrate summer. If the pineapple isn't overly ripe, add a bit more sugar. Save any leftover pineapple-mint syrup in an airtight glass container, or freeze the mixture in ice cube trays to use later. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
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21/28

Guava Margaritas

Contest Winner
Total Time:15 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
Guava Margaritas Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: While visiting family, I tasted a guava margarita and fell in love with the tropical flavors. I rushed home to create my own version! —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois
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22/28

Grilled Peach & Pineapple Sangria

2 Reviews
Contest Winner
Total Time:25 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Grill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
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23/28

Key Lime Mojito

1 Reviews
Total Time:25 min
Servings:1 cocktail
Test Kitchen Approved
Key Lime Pie Mojito Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: This cocktail tastes just like Key lime pie in a glass, thanks to Key lime juice, a little heavy whipping cream and a graham cracker crumb garnish. —Susan Bronson, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
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24/28

Passion Fruit Hurricanes

3 Reviews
Total Time:10 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
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25/28

Guava Coconut Rum Cocktail

Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: My beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York
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26/28

Blue Lagoon Margaritas

15 Reviews
Total Time:15 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
Blue Lagoon Margaritas Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: This is one super drink that'll have the neighbors asking, "What's that?" Show them and make an extra batch to share. —Willie DeWaard, Coralville, Iowa
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27/28

Peachy Keen Daiquiris

6 Reviews
Total Time:10 min
Servings:3
Test Kitchen Approved
Photo: Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: You won’t mind breaking out the blender for these frosty fruit drinks—they’re a breeze to whip up. If you don't have fresh, use frozen peaches. A dash of grenadine gives the golden daiquire a blush of red.—Joan Antonen, Arlington, South Dakota
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28/28

Pineapple Margarita

1 Reviews
Total Time:5 min
Servings:1
Test Kitchen Approved
Easy Pineapple Margarita Recipe photo by Taste of Home
From the Recipe Creator: Pineapple is the star of the show in this margarita. A sweet and tangy flavor profile comes from the pineapple and lime juice that then gets paired with the smoothness of amaretto and blanco tequila for this tropical cocktail. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Tropical Drinks FAQ

What are the most popular tropical drinks?

There are many well-known tropical drinks, but the most popular are classics like a mai tai, pina colada, mojito, rum runner and rum punch. A fruity, frozen daiquiri is also a top tropical cocktail choice, though a traditional shaken daiquiri is even simpler to make. If you want to break away from your usual, try more niche tropical drinks, such as a Painkiller, Zombie or Jungle Bird.

Are there tropical drinks that don’t use rum?

Plenty of tropical cocktails don’t use rum, instead using wine, tequila, gin or vodka. Some of my favorites are Sex on the Beach, which has vodka and peach schnapps, a gin-based Singapore Sling and tequila cocktails, including a tequila sunrise and blue margarita. Sangria uses wine or sparkling wine and is an easy batch cocktail, perfect for a crowd.

What tropical cocktails don’t use a lot of ingredients?

Simple tropical cocktails such as a caipirinha, mojito, Dark ‘n Stormy and mango Bellini have five ingredients or less, all of which you probably already have in your kitchen and bar cabinet. If you are low on ingredients for some of the flavored margaritas in this collection, a classic margarita only needs lime juice, tequila and triple sec (plus optional salt), but still tastes just as tropical.

Author
Caroline Stanko
As editor, Caroline researches, writes and edits all things food and beverage for Taste of Home. With nine years at TOH under her belt, Caroline has worked on the print, SIP and digital teams. When she’s not at her desk, you can probably find Caroline reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast.
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Caroline Stanko