Bahama Mama – A Beautiful Mess

For a tropical treat, that’s light and fruity and perfect for summer, a Bahama Mama just can’t be beat. The combo of pineapple and orange juice with lime, coconut, and rum create an easy to make cocktail that’s the color of a sunset and you can enjoy it on the rocks or blended as well.

In the same vein as a Piña Colada, this cocktail is best enjoyed pool or beachside (or at least on a hot day when you wish you were at the beach). 

Related: Piña Colada, Jungle Bird Cocktail, Painkiller Cocktail, Rum Runner

Who invented the Bahama Mama?

The origin of the drink is unknown but one theory is that is was a drink named after a Caribbean dancer from the 1930s, Dottie Lee Anderson, who was known by the stage name “Bahama Mama.” Oswald Greenslade also claims to have invented the drink in 1963 at the Pink Elephant Night Club and says it was named it after Maureen Duvalier.

How do you serve a Bahama Mama blended instead of on the rocks?

If you prefer your drink blended, simply add your ingredients to a blender with a cup of ice and blend until slushy!

Ingredients

• Orange Juice: Orange juice adds a sweet citrus note to the drink. Try fresh squeezed for even better taste.
• Pineapple Juice: Pineapple juice adds a lot of sweetness as well as tropical flavor. Try toning down the pineapple juice if you want your drink less sweet.
• Dark Rum: Try a dark or aged rum for a more complex flavor, but white rum will also do if that’s all you have on hand.
• Coconut Rum: Adding a layer of coconut rum gives the drink some extra island flavor.
• Lime Juice: When possible, fresh lime juice is always the way to go and worth running out to the store if you are out of limes.
• Grenadine: Just a dash of grenadine gives this drink a cherry kick and adds color to the drink.

Use pineapple wedges, limes, or maraschino cherries for garnish.

Like a lot of topical cocktails, Bahama Mamas are traditionally served in a hurricane glass, but you can use a tall tumbler if that’s what you have on hand.

Directions

To make a Bahama Mama, add your orange juice, pineapple juice, rum, coconut rum, and lime juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until blended and cold.

Pour into a glass filled with ice and pour in your grenadine to make the pretty color gradation.  

Tips for Making

• If adding ice, try not to over blend your drink. Process in blender until just slushy and stop so that the ice crystals won’t melt too quickly.
• Try adding another flavor into your drink by adding a splash of mango juice for more tropical fruity goodness.
• Some people prefer lighter or darker rum in their drinks, so experiment with both and see which version you prefer.

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