A classic cocktail with a name that’s fun to say, the Bahama Mama will keep you cool and chill on those hot summer nights.
There’s this thing that I do that can sometimes drive my friends crazy. If I stumble upon a word or a phrase that I find fun to say, I’ll just keep saying it. When I moved to California and visited Pomona, well that’s a city’s name I’ll just let fly at random times. Try it. Celebrating a milestone or achievement? Shout “Pomona!” Certain other words work great for this, too. Pumpernickel, for example.
The drink we’re making tonight is also gifted with a name that I just can’t help but repeat like crazy. It puts a smile on my face whenever I hear it said out loud. Not to mention I suddenly get a craving for the tropical cocktail it’s attached to. The Bahama Mama conjures up images of resort hotels, poolside bars and white sandy beaches that stretch into infinity in either direction, bordered by a churning, blue sea. When the weather is hot and summer is in full swing, I make sure I find some time to lounge in a hammock with a fruity and refreshing tipple, sipping and saying its name out loud with gusto. Bahama Mama.
But who was the original Bahama Mama that inspired this classic drink? The history of this beverage is a little unclear. Like a number of famous cocktails, many people lay claim to its notoriety. The most well-known and widely accepted origin story for tonight’s drink hails from a bartender named Oswald Greenslade, or “Slade” to his friends. Inspired by Dottie Lee Anderson, who was a calypso performer from the Bahamas, Slade crafted a sweet and rum-based beverage in her honor while he was working at the Nassau Beach Hotel.
Since the 1950s and 1960s, the Bahama Mama has stood the test of time and continues to be, not only a fun name to say out loud, but also a memorable and delicious way to beat the hot weather before dipping your toes in the Caribbean sea. And if you’re nowhere near an ocean or any body of cool water, a few sips of this Mama will take you there without travelling.
What is the Best Rum to Use in a Bahama Mama?
Our recipe calls for two types of rum to be used in this tasty tipple. A combination of dark and coconut rums, adding those tropical notes that make drinks like the Bahama Mama so popular. You can also use a navy-strength Jamaican rum to make your potion a little more potent and robust, if you’re looking for a cocktail with some extra oomph.
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1/2 ounce coconut rum
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with crushed ice.
- Pour in the pineapple juice, orange juice, dark rum, coconut rum, and lime juice.
- Add the grenadine and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Fill a tall hurricane or pint glass with ice, then pour your ingredients in and stir. Pop a cherry and a pineapple wedge on top, along with a little drink umbrella, to complete that classic, tropical vibe.
Add the ingredients together and store covered in your fridge for a day or two before serving. When you’re ready, stir and pour individual servings over ice.
At 183 calories, you can have a few of these without filling up too quickly.
No. A Mai Tai is comprised of white rum, orange curaçao, lime juice and orgeat syrup.
Similar Cocktails to the Bahama Mama
When the weather is hot and you can’t get away to a tropical, island paradise, a Bahama Mama will help your mind escape to your own private resort. If you’re looking for more fruity and fun concoctions like the drink we made today, Twist & Toast has a roster of ice-cold cocktails that will assist you in beating the summer heat. Check some of these recipes out below, then explore the site for even more ideas.
- Zombie – If the heat is getting you down, this Tiki favorite will bring you back to life.
- Watermelon Mojito – Nothing says summer quite like watermelons and mojitos. Why not combine them?
- Cuba Libre – A warm-weather classic, this simple mixture of rum, cola and lime juice is a legend for a reason.
- Classic Daiquiri – Ernest Hemingway’s favorite beverage will soon become one of yours.
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