Postcard Getaway

Turn your Backyard Into a Tropical Escape with These Easy, Refreshing Drinks Perfect for Any Summer Occasion

Written by Kaelie Piscitello

While lots of people go on vacation each summer, let’s face it, most people spend the majority of summer at home and at work. However, that doesn’t mean people can’t make a staycation at home with some fun tropical cocktails! 

You don’t need to sit on a beach to drink a pina colada. Instead, make some of these drinks and bring them to a summer concert tailgate. (I love drinking mai tais at a concert tailgate!) Enjoy a fruit beverage at home this summer for your backyard barbecue, graduation party, or just because.

Mai Tai

Maitais makes some of the best fruity drinks to enjoy on the patio on a hot summer day. As I mentioned, I love drinking them at a concert tailgate. 

To make a mai tai, prepare:

• Rum
• Orgeat
• lime juice
• Grand Marnier.

Then, shake well in a mixer and serve with a cherry or fresh mint for garnish! This simple recipe makes a delicious treat that can be served as an alcoholic slushie or with regular rocks.

Pina Colada

Pina coladas scream beach holiday to me. I prefer them without alcohol because the rum takes away from the fruit flavor. However, alcohol can make it more fun.

To make a pina colada, buy…

• Frozen pineapple
• Rum (bonus if you have Malibu coconut rum)
• Coconut cream
• Lime juice 
• Ice (if you desire a slushy texture)
• Blender

Then, blend all ingredients and pour into a small glass with an umbrella to make a festive and tasty smoothie.

Banana Strawberry Daiquiri

Daiquiris bring me back to the first time I stayed at an all-inclusive resort. Many tropical hotels serve daiquiris by the bucketful, and they taste delicious! I always miss them when I return home, but I can make them there too.

Make a daiquiri with the following:

• ½ fluid ounce of Triple sec
• 1 ½ fluid ounces of light rum
• Fresh fruit
• 1 tsp sugar
• Blender 

To mix the daiquiri, take the same approach you would with a pina colada and blend up all of those ingredients together until you reach your desired texture. Enjoy!

Margarita

Turn on some Jimmy Buffet and jet off to Margaritaville in your backyard with a refreshing margarita. Jimmy sang about them for a reason — they make one of the most relaxing tropical beverages out there! 

Make a margarita with just three ingredients!

• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Orange liquor

Gently mix all ingredients together before pouring into a martini glass with a salt-coated rim. Serve with a lime on the side.

Aperol Spritz

If you don’t think you’ll make it to Italy this summer, do not worry. You can still drink like you’re in Rome by making an Italian favorite, the Aperol Spritz! 

To make an Aperol Spritz, gather:

• 3 parts Prosecco 
• 2 parts Aperol
• 1 part plain soda water

Mix the ingredients by pouring a generous amount of prosecco, adding a bit of Aperol, and the tiniest amount of soda water. Add some ice, and you’ve got yourself a fruit Italian treat.

Sangria

I love drinking sangria with lots of fruit on the Fourth of July. I love red wine to begin with, so adding fruit just makes the experience better.

To make my favorite drink, pull out the:

• Spanish red wine (cabernet sauvignon preferred)
• Orange slices with the rind on
• Apple slices with the skin still on
• Brown sugar
• Brandy (optional for taste)
• Orange juice (optional for taste)

First, muddle the fruit and brown sugar with a muddler. Then, add the red wine and other beverages to add flavor. Serve with or without ice.

Dirty Monkey

If you like daiquiris, you will LOVE a dirty monkey. This tropical drink tastes like a frozen banana dipped in chocolate, and you will want to drink it by the bucketful.

To make a dirty monkey, gather:

• Fresh bananas
• Kahlua
• Rum
• Coconut cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Whipped cream
• A blender

Blend all the delicious ingredients (except for the whipped cream) and drizzle chocolate sauce all over the inside of your glass. Pour your drink, top with whipped cream, and then drink up.

Tight on Money? Then, Buy:

Mix from the store! Many grocery stores sell pre-made cocktail mixers that taste like these drinks. Just add alcohol! Of course, if you go to the liquor store, you can also buy them premade, alcohol and all.