16 Best Caribbean Drinks To Try On Your Cruise

Iconic Caribbean Drinks To Enjoy Onboard

When you're on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you don't have to wait until you reach port to savor the best Caribbean mixed drinks. The restaurants and bars on board are well-equipped and staffed by skilled mixologists who will get your vacation off to a sweet start, whether it's a seven-day trip or a long weekend.

These 11 drinks, listed with their points of origin, are each iconic in their own right, offering up a fine sampling of Caribbean flavors:

1. Piña Colada (Puerto Rico):

Even before Rupert Holmes penned "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)," this drink had been a quintessential summer sipper. Several different bartenders claim to have invented the delicious drink, featuring rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice that's blended with ice. One fact that isn't in dispute is that it originates from Puerto Rico and has become synonymous with the island.

2. Mojito (Cuba):

Another rum cocktail, the Mojito hails from Cuba and includes sugar, lime juice, club soda and mint. The mint leaves should be freshly crushed to make sure their refreshing power isn't lost alongside the citrus, sugar and rum.

3. Rum Punch (Multiple Islands):

The Rum Punch, as with so many classic punch recipes, is a flexible concept. This means you can try variations on the recipe, which includes the choice of using white rum, dark rum or both. In addition to the base of rum, the most common formula includes three fruit juices: pineapple, lime and orange juice.

4. Bahama Mama (The Bahamas):

Very similar to the Rum Punch, the Bahama Mama's great innovation is the use of coconut rum (such as Malibu). The drink also includes orange and pineapple juice and typically comes to you garnished with pineapple wedges and a cherry.

5. Painkiller (British Virgin Islands):

This is another drink with rum, pineapple juice and orange juice, with a coconut flavor. So what makes the Painkiller different from the Bahama Mama? It's all in the rum. A good Painkiller uses dark rum or navy rum, shaken with the fruit juices and cream of coconut to create a sweet frothy mixture.

6. Daiquiri (Cuba):

The Daiquiri is a legendary Cuban creation that is simple, elegant and infinitely customizable. There are only three ingredients in a standard Daiquiri: rum, lime juice and sugar. Whether you're sipping a simple, stripped-down version of the drink or a creative variant, it conjures warm nights in Havana bars.

7. Dark 'n' Stormy (Bermuda):

The national cocktail of Bermuda, the Dark 'n' Stormy is a classic sailor's libation, and is another drink with a very straightforward, satisfying recipe. Just add dark rum to ginger beer in a glass with plenty of ice and provide a slice of lime. That's it!

8. Planter's Punch (Jamaica):

The Planter's Punch is another part of the venerable punch family. It's one of Jamaica's signature drinks and is based on aged rum, combined with pineapple and orange juice and bitters. You can vary the fruit juices or tweak the bitters to give the drink a different flavor profile.

9. Ti’ Punch (Martinique):

The national cocktail of Martinique is also a punch. The Ti' Punch takes agricole rum as its base, along with sugar cane syrup and lime. Served in a short glass and demonstrating Martinique's local rum, it has a proud place in the world of Caribbean rum drinks.

10. Aruba Ariba (Aruba):

The Aruba Ariba, dating back to 1963, is distinguished by a banana flavor that sets it apart from other punches. Despite using both rum and vodka, it's not particularly alcoholic and is a nice, refreshing drink to sip on a warm Aruban afternoon. The basic recipe is rum, vodka, the Aruban liquor Coecoei, creme de banana, orange juice, cranberry juice and pineapple juice.

11. Goombay Smash (The Bahamas):

The Goombay Smash is a Bahamian classic served in tall Collins glasses that combines spiced rum, coconut rum and apricot brandy with pineapple juice and orange juice. With a fruit garnish on the glass, it's a perfect companion for an evening on board a ship or on a pier in The Bahamas.

Unique Island Drinks To Discover

Of course, when you're sailing around the Caribbean, there's no reason to stick to the best-known recipes. After all, you're here to have an adventure! To that end, here are five more delectable cocktails worth discovering on your travels:

12. Coquito (Puerto Rico):

The Coquito is a different sort of rum drink. First of all, it's associated with a specific time and place: Christmas in Puerto Rico. With coconut milk, condensed milk and cinnamon on top of the rum, it's easy to see how cozy it can be sipping a Coquito during the holidays.

13. Mama Juana (Dominican Republic):

The Mama Juana takes rum in a different direction. With red wine, honey and herbs, this drink is as alluring and exciting as the Coquito is comfy and wholesome.

14. Sky Juice (The Bahamas):

Sky Juice traditionally has a gin base, setting it apart from the many rum-based drinks in the Caribbean islands. Of course, you can also mix it with rum. In addition to the alcohol, it includes coconut water and condensed milk over ice for a refreshing afternoon treat.

15. Bajan Rum Punch (Barbados):

Barbados's twist on the rum punch is as simple as it can be, with lime juice, sugar and rum. The key ingredient that makes this Bajan is the rum — you should use a dark rum from Barbados.

16. Cuba Libre (Cuba):

The Cuba Libre is a citrusy twist on a Rum and Coke, making for a simple but satisfying treat. You simply combine your rum and your cola, then add lime juice and a wedge of lime for garnish.

Whether you're cruising the Caribbean for the first time or you're an old hand in the area, these drinks can make your trip feel special.

Where Can You Order Drinks On Board A Royal Caribbean Ship?

You don't have to wait until you make port to start sipping Caribbean drinks. The well-stocked and comfortable bars on board Royal Caribbean ships are the ideal meeting places for a libation at sea. Some of the top destinations to try the Royal Caribbean cocktail menu include:

The Lime and Coconut® Bar:

The Lime and Coconut has an easy, breezy atmosphere with DJs spinning good-time tunes and plenty of classic drinks on the menu, including house specialties like the titular Lime & Coconut. The bartenders are experts in their craft and can always be counted on to serve up a winner when asked for a recommendation.

Pool Bar and Sand Bar:

When you're on the pool deck, you can bounce between the Pool Bar and Sand Bar. In addition to long lists of beer, wine and Caribbean drinks' non alcoholic mocktail versions, these casual poolside spots are always ready to serve up a classic island drink. Best of all, you can order from these bars and have your drink brought directly to your lounge chair by the pool.

Explore Cocktails' Origins In The Caribbean

When you're planning a Caribbean cruise, where should you pick as your destination? You can set sail for the islands where your favorite cocktails were invented and have the drinks in their places of origin for a true, authentic Caribbean mixology experience.

Let's recap where those drinks came from:

● Puerto Rico: This U.S. territory, which is easy to visit without a passport, gave the world the frosty Piña Colada and the holiday treat, the Coquito.

● The Bahamas: These idyllic islands are responsible for the Bahama Mama, the Goombay Smash and Sky Juice.