Extend Your Tropical Vacation Long After Leaving Paradise With These Rum Cocktails

Just because vacation is over, doesn't mean you can't treat yourself to the refreshing tropical cocktails you once sipped while lying on white sands of gorgeous beaches! Check out our round up of island-inspired rum drinks that are offered throughout the Dominican Republic, courtesy of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts. With 14 properties in the region, this brand is undoubtedly leading the hospitality scene in the Caribbean, so who better to get some tasty cocktail ideas from?

For the adventurous at-home-mixologist, try creating your very own bottle of Mamajuana, an indigenous drink native to the Dominican Republic.

As one of the most traditional drinks of the area, it's a deliciously potent brew of rum, red wine, and honey that has been soaked in twigs, bark, and herbs. This mix of ingredients creates an intense, complex, and sweet libation that is perfect for sharing and sipping this National Rum Day, August 16.

Ingredients:
Red Wine
Rum
Honey
Dominican Plants (Indian bejuco, palo Brazil, canelilla, anamu, behuco caro, timacle, maguey, marabel, sweet nail, behuco, or sweet cloves)

Prep: Start by bottling the aromatic plants with three tablespoons of honey and wine. Marinate or "cure" for a week or so. After one week, remove most of the wine from the bottle (leaving only a little) and pour the rum in. Many will add spices such as cinnamon, sweet cloves, vanilla, star anise, or/and ginger. Let the mixture marinate with the plants and herbs for another week. Pour over ice and enjoy!

For the beginners, these following combinations — filled with creamy coconut goodness — make for quick and easy cocktails.

Banana Mama Rum — rum, coconut, banana, grenadine, pineapple juice, ice

Piña Colada Rum — rum, coconut, milk, pineapple juice, ice

Merengue— golden rum, vermouth, cocoa cream, grenadine, pineapple juice, ice

Celebrate in style by garnishing your libations with colorful fruit, herbs, and mini umbrellas. Cheers!

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