Holidays & Entertaining Entertaining Party Food & Drink 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. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 4, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 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 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!) get the recipe 02 of 21 Piña Colada 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. get the recipe 03 of 21 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. get the recipe 04 of 21 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). get the recipe 05 of 21 Mojito Looking for something a little fresher in your tropical cocktail? Meet the mojito, with its mint and lime flavor profile. How to Incorporate Fresh Garden Herbs Into Cocktails Get The Recipe 06 of 21 Pirate Passionfruit Mule This tweak on the mule calls for passion fruit puree, rum, and pineapple, in addition to the essential ginger beer. get the recipe 07 of 21 Margarita 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. 7 Best Margarita Recipes to Try get the recipe 08 of 21 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. get the recipe 09 of 21 Partida Passionfruit 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. get the recipe 10 of 21 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.) get the recipe 11 of 21 Frozen Sunset Daiquiris 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. get the recipe 12 of 21 Sex on the Beach 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.) DIY Infused Vodka Is the Creative Outlet You and Your Craft Cocktails Have Been Waiting For get the recipe 13 of 21 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. get the recipe 14 of 21 Bahama Mama 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. 24 Easy Refreshing Cocktails Perfect for Peak Summertime get the recipe 15 of 21 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. 13 Refreshing Watermelon Recipes to Serve All Summer Long get the recipe 16 of 21 Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale 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.) Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale 17 of 21 Coconut Water Margarita 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. How to Make a Margarita That's Actually Hydrating 18 of 21 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. Get the Recipe 19 of 21 Jalepeño-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. How to Make Delicious Alcohol-Free Cocktails—Plus 4 Mocktail Recipes You Need to Try get the recipe 20 of 21 Bushwacker 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. get the recipe 21 of 21 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. get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit