It’s 5’Oclock Somewhere…
Here on Harbor Island, surrounded by boats and the San Diego Bay, it’s not hard to feel like we’re on our own little tropical escape! Just a quick boat ride away from the world-famous Bali Hai Restaurant, we’ve taken their tropical libations to heart and gathered up our own island-inspired sippers for you to try at home.
Chasing Summer
This one is for our more adventurous cocktail enthusiasts. Once people hear it contains balsamic vinegar, it can turn people off, but we swear that this is worth a try! This recipe originally appeared in the Food & Wine 2016 Cocktails book. The balsamic adds an acidity you just can’t find anywhere else and caramelizes the finishing taste.
INSTRUCTIONS
In a cocktail shaker, combine the Chai Sun Tea, passion fruit puree, condensed milk, and vinegar. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well—strain into a chilled, crushed-ice-filled collins glass.
NOTES
Place 1 chai tea bag and 12 ounces cold water in a glass jar. Cover and leave in a sunny, warm place for 1 hour. Discard the tea bag and refrigerate the tea for up to 2 weeks. Makes 12 ounces.
Banana-Rum Old-Fashioned
A bold, strong cocktail with both high-proof bourbon and light rum gets a hit of floral sweetness from mellow crème de banane.
DIRECTIONS
Fill a tall mixing glass with ice cubes. Add bourbon, rum, crème de banane, and bitters. Stir for 5 seconds; strain into a rock glass over a large ice cube. Twist orange peel strip over the cocktail to express oils; tuck orange peel into a glass, or discard.
NOTES
Batch this cocktail by combining bourbon, rum, crème de banane, and bitters in a pitcher; stir in ice just before serving.
Bahama Mama (Original Recipe)
The Bahama Mama is a beloved classic cocktail, but most restaurants don’t serve the original version. So this is it, and it may be a little bit different from what you’re used to.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 ounce Kahlua
- 1/2 ounce dark rum
- 1/2 ounce coconut liqueur
- 1/4 ounce 151 proof rum
- 4 ounces of pineapple juice
- Juice of half a lemon
- Cherry or Strawberry for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Fill a collins glass with cracked ice.
- Pour all the ingredients in and stir.
- Garnish with a strawberry or Luxardo maraschino cherry.
What other island libations bring you straight to the tropics after one sip?
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