21 Tropical Cocktails That'll Make You Feel Like You're on Vacation

There may or may not be a Hawaiian luau in your near future. But a delightfully transporting pina colada? You can make that happen.

tropical-cocktails
Photo: Getty Images

Who says you have to be poolside in the Caribbean to drink a piña colada? A tropical trip might not fit in your budget right now, but fun, fruity cocktails are legal anywhere (well, as long as you're 21!). You don't have to get your next mojito, daiquiri, or other tropical drink at a swim-up bar. How about making one at home? Go ahead and break out the paper umbrellas and the fun fruit garnishes, and chill out with one of these fabulous tropical cocktails (and a couple of good tropical mocktails too, for good measure!).

01 of 21

Passionfruit Hurricane

hurricane-passion-fruit-cocktail
Courtesy of Bacardí

Rum and an array of tropical fruit juices combine for this passionfruit-infused take on the classic tropical cocktail. (Bonus: The hurricane is also a favorite drink in New Orleans if you're planning a Mardi Gras or other Big Easy-themed event!)

02 of 21

Piña Colada

pina-colada-recipes-tout
Getty Images

One of the most popular tropical cocktails (seriously, it has its own theme song), this concoction of rum, pineapple, and coconut can be blended in just a few minutes.

03 of 21

Mai Tai

Mai Tai
Antonis Achilleos

Almond syrup and pineapple juice add some intriguing flavor undertones to this rum-based tropical cocktail. (Don't forget to add a slice of pineapple to garnish!) This drink was so popular during the '40s and '50s that it allegedly caused a Jamaican rum shortage.

04 of 21

Boozy Dole Whip

boozy dole whip
Debbie Galbraith/Getty Images

If you love the classic Disney dessert, you'll love it even more in tropical cocktail form. Frozen pineapple, bananas, and coconut milk are blended with rum (or skip the rum for a mocktail for the kids).

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Mojito

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Looking for something a little fresher in your tropical cocktail? Meet the mojito, with its mint and lime flavor profile.

06 of 21

Pirate Passionfruit Mule

Mule Passion Fruit Cocktail

This tweak on the mule calls for passion fruit puree, rum, and pineapple, in addition to the essential ginger beer.

07 of 21

Margarita

Classic Margaritas
Dana Gallagher

You can't beat a classic cocktail—and this salt-rimmed favorite with lime juice, tequila, and Cointreau is great on the rocks, or frozen in your blender.

08 of 21

Blue Hawaii

Blue Hawaii

 Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

This traditional tiki cocktail is famous for its ocean-blue color—and its potent mix of vodka, rum, and blue curaçao.

09 of 21

Partida Passionfruit Cocktail

partida-passion-fruit-cocktail
Getty Images

You need only four ingredients—tequila, lime juice, passionfruit puree, and ruby red grapefruit—to craft this citrusy cocktail perfect for enjoying poolside.

10 of 21

Tropical Lemonade

Tropical Lemonade
Antonis Achilleos

This easy tropical mocktail features pineapple juice, apricot nectar, and ginger ale for a little fizz. (You can add a little vodka if you'd like to turn this mocktail into a cocktail.)

11 of 21

Frozen Sunset Daiquiris

Sunset Daiquiri
RealSimple.com

These fun layered frozen cocktails may look tricky to make, but all you need is a blender, frozen fruit, and plenty of ice. You can get creative with the liquor too—try it with tequila instead of rum, or as a fresh and festive mocktail.

12 of 21

Sex on the Beach

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bhofack2/Getty Images

Flash back to the 1980s with this fruity concoction that features vodka and peach schnapps alongside a slew of fruit juices. (And we also have some upgraded versions of the classic if you want to try a fresh take on the past.)

13 of 21

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Getty Images

A frozen strawberry daiquiri is one of the most popular tropical drinks of all time—and this version blends up in no time flat with frozen strawberries, rum, lime juice, and a hint of simple syrup.

14 of 21

Bahama Mama

Bahama Mama cocktail

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

A beach resort standard, the Bahama Mama pairs two kinds of rum with a little coffee liqueur and a sweet-tart combo of pineapple and lemon juices for a refreshing (though totally potent) tropical cocktail.

15 of 21

Watermelon Mojito Granita

Watermelon Mojito Granita
Antonis Achilleos

This frozen granita probably leans a little more toward dessert than straight-up cocktail, but its summery mint, lime, and watermelon flavors will help you chill on a hot day.

16 of 21

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale Mocktail Recipe
Yunhee Kim

If you're looking for a tropical nonalcoholic drink, this sunny-hued mocktail is a simple, yet delicious, option. (And if you want to make it a cocktail, adding a little light rum will do the trick.)

17 of 21

Coconut Water Margarita

coconut water margaritas
Getty Images

This totally refreshing twist on the traditional margarita includes coconut water to keep you hydrated—and help you avoid the hangover the next day.

18 of 21

Rum Punch

rum punch

Liquor.com/Tim Nusog

The rum punch is a time-honored Caribbean cocktail tradition. This classic take on it features both light and dark rum and three different fruit juices for a refreshing (yet potent) combination.

19 of 21

Jalepeño-Lime Spritzer

Jalapeno-Lime Spritzer
Charles Masters

Slices of jalepeño add heat to this sweet-yet-spicy tropical mocktail, perfect for people looking for a more sophisticated non-alcoholic drink.

20 of 21

Bushwacker

Bushwacker cocktail

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Not all tropical cocktails have to be fruity. This potent frozen cocktail, invented in Barbados, features coffee, chocolate, and coconut flavors.

21 of 21

Paloma

Paloma
Greg DuPree

This brightly hued cocktail balances the smokiness of tequila with a bittersweet (and easy to make) grapefruit simple syrup and citrus juices for a sophisticated alternative to a margarita.

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