This easy Bahama Mama recipe combines coconut rum, banana liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine in a refreshing tropical cocktail.
Like the Mai Tai and the Rum Runner, a Bahama Mama is a simple cocktail that is fruity, cool, and refreshing. It is a perfect summer drink to sip on after a long day, on warm nights, and at casual get-togethers.
If you are looking for a perfect fruity rum drink that reminds you of beach days and tropical getaways, then the Bahama Mama is it!
🔍 Quick Look: Bahama Mama Recipe
- Ready in: 10 minutes
- Best Made: Ahead or just before serving
- Servings: 1 serving
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Main Ingredients: Coconut rum, banana liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine
- Flavor Profile: Fruity • Sweet • Tropical
- Mixing Technique: Stirring
- Cook Method: No cook
- Difficulty: Easy
- Why You'll Love It: This fruity, refreshing cocktail mixes quickly and tastes like a tropical getaway in a glass.
- Perfect For: Barbecues, cookouts, brunches, and summer gatherings
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Bahama Mama Recipe
- Made with only 5 ingredients
- Ready in just 10 minutes
- Easy to customize to your taste
- Easy to make by the pitcher for a crowd
- Perfect for staycations and patio entertaining
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 various fruit juices, like pineapple juice and citrus juice, and of course different types of rum.
Then, from those basic ingredients, numerous versions add a variety of other ingredients like coffee liqueur or banana liqueur, grenadine syrup, sour mix, and simple syrup.
Over the years, there have been "original" versions, "real" versions, and "ultimate" versions of this popular cocktail. 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 have made this drink with plain silver rum, silver rum with dark rum, and also with silver, coconut, and dark rum. After many trials, I found that this recipe that uses only coconut rum is the best tasting and the simplest Bahama Mama recipe to make.
I've 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, add more; if you like your drink very sweet and very pink, add more grenadine syrup.
It's one of the great cocktail classics! So... let's make a tropical escape in a glass!
Ingredient Notes
Here's what you'll need to make a Bahama Mama:
- 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 - A splash of grenadine gives a Bahama Mama a lovely pink color and makes the drink sweeter. You can add more or less to suit your taste.
- Crème de Banana Liqueur (Optional) - I happen to like just a touch of banana flavor, but the drink is still lovely without it.
- Ice Cubes or Crushed Ice - I prefer to use ice cubes, but you can also use crushed ice. (Not shown)
Garnishes:
Orange Slice, Pineapple Wedge, and Maraschino Cherries - Garnishes that signal the fruity flavors of the drink are best.
Please see the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Add More Coconut Rum. If you want a little more alcohol kick, you can add more rum.
- Substitute White Rum or Dark Rum. You may prefer the flavor of white rum or dark rum instead of coconut rum. However, you may need to add simple syrup or more grenadine to balance the flavors.
- 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. Instead of grenadine syrup, you can use the syrup from maraschino cherries. Both of these syrups are red and fruity and can be substituted for each other.
How to Make a Bahama Mama
- Step 1 - Add Ingredients. In a cocktail mixing glass or cocktail shaker, add Malibu Coconut Rum, banana liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Stir well.
- Step 2 - Pour Over Ice & Garnish. Pour over ice in a hurricane glass or tall cocktail glass. If desired, add another splash of grenadine for deeper color and additional sweetness. Garnish with an orange slice, pineapple wedge, and/or maraschino cherries.
My Top Tip
♡ 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.
Make a Pitcher
This recipe scales up easily, and you can make a pitcher in advance for entertaining. Then simply put ice in each glass, pour, and garnish!
| Ingredient | 2 Servings | 4 Servings | 6 Servings | 8 Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu Coconut Rum | ½ Cup | 1 Cup | 1 ½ Cups | 2 Cups |
| Crème de Banana Liqueur | 1 Ounce | ¼ Cup | 3 Ounces | ½ Cup |
| Orange Juice | ½ Cup | 1 Cup | 1 ½ Cups | 2 Cups |
| Pineapple Juice | ½ Cup | 1 Cup | 1 ½ Cups | 2 Cups |
| Grenadine Syrup | 1 Ounce | ¼ Cup | 3 Ounces | ½ Cup |
Combine the ingredients and refrigerate the pitcher, covered, until serving. Do not add ice or garnishes until you pour the drinks.
More Delicious Cocktails & Drinks You'll Love
♡ Did you love this Bahama Mama cocktail? Please leave a star rating and a comment below!
📖 Recipe
Bahama Mama
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Ingredients
- 2 Ounces Malibu Coconut Rum
- ½ Ounce DeKuyper Crème de Banana Liqueur, Optional
- 2 Ounces Orange Juice
- 2 Ounces Pineapple Juice
- ½ Ounce Grenadine Syrup
- Ice Cubes or Crushed Ice
Optional Garnishes:
- Orange Slice, Wedge of Pineapple, and/or Maraschino Cherries
Instructions
- Add Ingredients. In a cocktail mixing glass or cocktail shaker, add Malibu Coconut Rum, banana liqueur, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Stir well.2 Ounces Malibu Coconut Rum, ½ Ounce DeKuyper Crème de Banana Liqueur, 2 Ounces Orange Juice, 2 Ounces Pineapple Juice, ½ Ounce Grenadine Syrup
- Pour Over Ice & Garnish. Pour over ice in a hurricane glass or tall cocktail glass. If desired, add another splash of grenadine for deeper color and additional sweetness. Garnish with an orange slice, pineapple wedge, and/or maraschino cherries.Orange Slice, Wedge of Pineapple, and/or Maraschino Cherries, Ice Cubes or Crushed Ice
Notes
| Ingredient | 2 Servings | 4 Servings | 6 Servings | 8 Servings |
| Malibu Coconut Rum | ½ Cup | 1 Cup | 1 ½ Cups | 2 Cups |
| DeKuyper Crème de Banana Liqueur | 1 Ounce | ¼ Cup | 3 Ounces | ½ Cup |
| Orange Juice | ½ Cup | 1 Cup | 1 ½ Cups | 2 Cups |
| Pineapple Juice | ½ Cup | 1 Cup | 1 ½ Cups | 2 Cups |
| Grenadine Syrup | 1 Ounce | ¼ Cup | 3 Ounces | ½ Cup |
Nutrition
Per 1 serving. All nutritional information on this site is an estimate. Your results may vary.
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Donna White says
I made this version of a Bahama Mama and it was delicious.
Jan Nunes says
Hi Donna,
I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Have a wonderful day! ~Jan 😊