The Best Drinks to Order on a Workacation
The Zombie
Despite its somewhat foreboding name, The Zombie is a sweet cocktail made of fruit juices, liqueurs and rums. Donn Beach, owner of tiki haven Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood, invented The Zombie (a.k.a. Skull-Punched) in late 1934. It was popularized a few years later at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. This one has an extremely high alcohol content, which may have contributed to its name.
Ingredients:
½ oz white rum
1 ½ oz gold rum
1 oz dark rum
1 tsp pineapple juice
½ oz 151-proof rum
1 oz lime juice
1 tsp superfine sugar
1 tsp papaya juice
Note: Sometimes one part apricot brandy is also added into the mix.
Directions: Stir all ingredients together except the 151-proof rum and pour into a 14-ounce glass three-fourths full of cracked ice. Float the 151-proof rum as a top by pouring it into a spoon and gently dipping it under the surface of the drink. Optional: Light it with a match and it will burn. Garnish with mint (can be dipped in lime juice, then superfine sugar, or plain) and/or the fruit of your choice.
Miami Vice
The Miami Vice, named after the TV series of the same name, is a sweet mixture of two other beloved tropical beverages: the daiquiri and the pina colada. Knock back a few of these and you may wake up to find yourself hot on the trail of a mystery — the mystery of who persuaded you to sing an hour of karaoke last night, that is.
Ingredients:
2 oz frozen daiquiri concentrate
2 oz frozen pina colada mix
2 oz rum
Directions: Blend the daiquiri mix with the rum. Pour this mixture into a glass and set aside. Blend the pina colada mix. Pour both blends together from opposite sides of the glass (one half will be red, the other white).
Pina Colada
Pina coladas are synonymous with paradise — so much so that Rupert Holmes was urged to sing an ode to them in his famous song, “Escape.” These bright, fruity drinks highlight two of the most popular tropical tastes: coconut and pineapple, to create a splendid taste worth singing about.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz light or gold rum
2 oz coconut milk
2 oz fresh pineapple juice
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake. Strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry and a pineapple wedge.
Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail suitable for any time of the year, but its refreshing taste and cool temperature make it ideal for summertime sipping.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz vodka
½ oz lime juice
½ cup ginger beer
1 lime wedge for garnish
Ice cubes
Directions: Pour vodka and lime juice into a copper mug. Add ice cubes and ginger beer. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Bahama Mama
The Bahama Mama is pretty as an island sunset and equally tasty. It’s a blend of fruit liqueurs and rum, ideal for sipping poolside on a hot day.
Ingredients:
½ oz rum
½ oz coconut-flavored rum
½ oz grenadine syrup
1 oz orange juice
1 oz pineapple juice
1 cup crushed ice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until the liquid is slushy in consistency.
Order these the next time you’re on vacation or mix one up at home and use your imagination to transport yourself to a personal paradise.
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