Bahama Mama

Bahama Mama is a simple cocktail that is fruity, cool, and refreshing. It is a perfect summer drink for warm days and casual get-togethers.

If you are looking for a cocktail that reminds you of beach days and tropical getaways, then the Bahama Mama is it! It mixes up quickly and contains coconut rum, banana liqueur, orange and pineapple juices, and grenadine syrup.

Jump to:

• What is a Bahama Mama?
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions and Variations
• My Top Tips
• More Great Cocktails & Drinks
• 📖 Recipe

What is a Bahama Mama?

The Bahama Mama is a fruity tropical drink that has endless recipes and variations. Nearly all of the recipes contain pineapple juice, citrus juice, plus rum. Then from those basic ingredients, numerous versions add a variety of other ingredients like coffee or banana liqueur, grenadine syrup, sour mix, and simple syrup.

There are "original" versions, "real" versions, and "ultimate" versions. But to me the best is the simplest recipe where every ingredient counts. So I spent some time trying a variety of recipes after a recent trip to the Bahamas where I had a very tasty Bahama Mama on the beach.

I've made this drink with plain silver rum, silver rum and dark rum, and also with silver, coconut, and dark rums. After many trials, I found that this recipe that uses only coconut rum is the simplest Bahama Mama recipe to make and the best tasting.

I have also experimented with banana liqueur in the recipe and I really like adding it. It gives that "something extra" flavor without yelling "Hey! there's banana in here!" But you can certainly make a Bahama Mama without banana liqueur.

The big takeaway is you can make this fruity cocktail the way you like it. If you like more rum you can add more and if you like your drink very sweet and very pink you can add more grenadine syrup.

So... let's make a tropical escape in a glass!

Ingredients

For the drink you will need:

Coconut Rum - I like Malibu Coconut Rum but any brand of coconut rum will work in this drink.

Orange Juice - Fresh juices are always best and your favorite orange juice that you have for breakfast is perfect.

Pineapple Juice - Always choose the best quality pineapple juice that has no additional sweeteners.

Grenadine Syrup - Grenadine gives a Bahama Mama a lovely pink color and makes the drink sweeter. You can add it to suit your taste.

Banana Liqueur, (Optional) - I happen to like just a touch of banana flavor, but the drink is still lovely without it.

Garnishes:

Oranges Slices and Maraschino Cherries - Garnishes that signal the fruity flavors of the drink are best.

Please see the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

In a cocktail mixing glass, add Malibu Coconut Rum, banana liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Stir well.

Pour over ice in a tall cocktail glass. Add an additional splash of grenadine, if desired, and garnish with a slice of orange and or maraschino cherries.

Substitutions and Variations

Add More Coconut Rum - If you want a little more alcohol kick, you can add more rum.

Make it Sweeter - Add plain simple syrup to make a sweeter drink.

Make it Pinker - Add more grenadine syrup (which will also make it sweeter).

Substitute Maraschino Cherry Juice - for the grenadine syrup. Both of these syrups are red and fruity and can be substituted for each other.

Substitute your favorite rum - for the coconut rum and add simple syrup or more grenadine to balance the flavors.

My Top Tips

Be sure to have the coconut rum and the pineapple and orange juices well chilled. I generally keep coconut rum in the refrigerator, when I know I will be making drinks with it.

This recipe scales up easily and you can make a pitcher in advance for entertaining. Then simply put ice in a glass, pour, and garnish!

More Great Cocktails & Drinks

• Coconut Rum Sunrise Cocktail
• Maple Beam and Cream Cocktail
• Elderflower and Lemon Mimosas
• Lillet Bellini Cocktail
• Homemade Ginger Ale

📖 Recipe