10 Best Cruise Cocktails. What Drinks Should I Try on a Cruise Vacation?
Cruise vacations are the ideal time to cut loose and try new things.
It's a time to unabashedly belt out karaoke tunes, or stretch your culinary boundaries with your first escargot.
Cruises are a way to visit unique destinations and pick up a few words and phrases in new languages.
This is also the ideal time to try drinks that you probably wouldn't ever think of ordering at your favorite neighborhood bar.
I typically only drink beers to try the flavors and brewing styles of the places that I visit. But sometimes, I get a hankering for something sweet, refreshing or just adventurous to expand my boozing horizons.
Here are some of our favorite cocktails to savor when we cruise.
1. Princess Cruises' "The Isaac"
This is a love potion designed in honor of the most famous of all cruise ship bartenders, Isaac from the "Love Boat."
The Recipe: In a highball glass, mix two ounces white rum, two ounces pomegranate syrup, half ounce fresh lime juice, splash of club soda, lime slice, and two pineapple leaf spears (garnish).
2. Carnival Cruise Line's Cucumber Sunrise
This can be ordered at the Alchemy Bar onboard your Carnival cruise.
The Recipe: Two cucumber wheels, muddled with one ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice, two ounces Absolut vodka, two ounces Monin watermelon syrup and three-quarter ounce fresh orange juice.
3. Royal Caribbean's Labadoozie
This is the popular drink featured at the line's Labadee, Haiti, private destination. It's a refreshing and super-sweet drink with a definite island flair.
The Recipe: Half ounce orange juice, half ounce pineapple juice, half ounce papaya juice, half ounce coconut cream, three-quarter ounce dark rum, three-quarter ounce coconut rum, one-quarter ounce grenadine and crushed ice.
4. Disney Cruise Line's High Tide
This drink makes regular appearances as the drink of the day on Disney Cruise ships, and the refreshing cocktail is a favorite of loyal Disney cruisers.
The Recipe: Two ounces cranberry juice, two ounces pineapple juice, 1.5 ounces amaretto, 1.5 ounces Malibu rum and slice of lime and cherry garnish.
5. Celebrity Cruises Martini Bar Martini Flight.
It's a drink. It's a show. It's best shared with your friends onboard a Celebrity voyage. Bartenders dazzle passengers as they shake and fill their shiny tumblers while dancing, juggling and whirling around behind the bar before dramatically climbing atop the bar to pour out up to 16 shots (or more!) of flavorful and colorful martinis. (Check out our video at the end of this post!)
6. Carnival Cruise Line's Red's Rum Treasure
Served at RedFrog Rum Bar, always a hopping spot on the lido deck on Carnival ships.
The Recipe: Mix 1.5 ounces of Zaya Gran Reserva rum, 3.75 ounces, pineapple guava juice, quarter-ounce lemonade and one ounce Sprite. Pour then top off with grated nutmeg and three-quarter ounce coconut rum.
7. Princess Cruises' Nutty Irishman
This hazelnut coffee drink is a nice booze-infused choice if you want a hot drink in the morning or after dinner.
The Recipe: A rich, aromatic coffee spiked with Irish whiskey and sweet Frangelico hazelnut liqueur.
8. Carnival's Kiss on the Lips
It’s among the most sweet and refreshing cocktails, and it's just what you want when sitting by the pool on your Caribbean cruise.
The Recipe: Pour one tablespoon grenadine syrup into glass and add mix of five ounces frozen mango mix, 1.5 ounces of peach schnapps and crushed ice. Garnish with pineapple slice and cherry.
9. Princess Cruises' Fresh Basil Mojito
We love this tasty twist on the popular rum drink. The subtle peppery taste of basil is a nice change of pace.
The Recipe: Two ounces Bacardi rum, one half lime and five basil leaves, muddled with two tablespoons of sugar and topped with splash of club soda.
10. MSC Cruises' Disarita
This is a scrumptious concoction created through the line's partnership with Disaronno, the Italian liqueur brand. Amaretto-flavored twist on the traditional margarita is best enjoyed glorious surroundings at the Garden Bar, where you find the aft pool. (Pro tip: This is the best spot to enjoy sailaway.)
The Recipe: Two ounces Disaronno Originale, one ounce tequila and two ounces of margarita mix. Pour the ingredients into a shaker and double strain into a margarita glass. Garnish with lime wedge.
None of these cruise drinks grab you?
Then, you can always try some classic cocktails you can find on most any cruise ship but might only be bold enough to order up while sitting on your lounger on the lido deck and soaking up the warm Caribbean sunshine. Just flag down a bar server and ask for Sex on the Beach, Dirty Banana, pina colada, frozen strawberry margarita, banana daquiri, Blue Hawaii, Painkiller, Mai Tai or Bay Breeze.
Or try these classy favorites at your dinner table while decked out in your fancy formal duds: Moscow Mule, Cosmopolitan or Aperol Spritz.
We even have what you're craving at breakfast or brunch after a late night (or just because you're on vacation!): Bellini, Screwdriver or Bloody Mary.
Bottoms up, and thanks for reading.
Cheers!
JR
What are some of your favorite drinks to enjoy when you travel?