Boost Your Trave-itude with UnCruise

6 Cocktails That Will Remind You of Being on Vacation

Feeling stressed? There’s a vacation for that. At least in the near future, there will be. If you’re dreaming of travel and passionately planning your next getaway, you’re not the only one. A break from the routine makes us feel alive. Travel is a way to explore new things, dive into adventure, and of course, shake off a day of vacation activities with a cocktail or mocktail. There’s nothing like a well-prepared drink - one that doesn’t overwhelm the tastebuds but enhances the flavors and brings friends - new and old - together.

A refreshing cocktail seems to have the magical power to instantly transport you on vacation even if it is only in your living room for now. Take a moment to enjoy your own UnCruise happy hour at home to remind us of future travel and whatever may come. But for right here, right now, for a few moments, all is well - and well shaken - in our world. So tap into your inner mixologist and test out their top 6 cocktails that are sure to remind you of being on vacation. Enjoy responsibly at home until you can set sail with UnCruise again!

Nectarine Mint Mojito
Nectarine Mint Simple Syrup:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
3 large nectarines, sliced
25 mint leaves

Cook all ingredients on high. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Let sit for 2 hours. Strain out nectarines and mint.

In a Pint Glass:
3 lime wedges
10 mint leaves
1.25 oz Nectarine Mint Simple Syrup
Smash (mull) mixture to release oils

Add a scoop of ice and 1.5 oz Bacardi Light. Shake well. Strain into a Collins glass full of ice. Top with a splash of soda water. Float .25 oz Myers Rum. Garnish with a nectarine slice and mint sprig and you’re on an instant vacation.

Cucumber Cameo
In a Pint Glass:
4 lime wedges
10 cucumber quarters
1/2 scoop ice

Muddle vigorously...
Add 1/2 scoop of ice
1.5 oz Hendrick’s Gin
1 oz Triple Sec
1.75 oz St. Germain

Shake. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a cucumber wheel and put your feet up because you’ll want to stay awhile.

Baja Margarita
Fresh Sour Mix:
1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 cup simple syrup
Mix well.

In a Pint Glass:
3 lime wedges
1 orange wedge
1/2 scoop ice

Muddle vigorously…
Add 1/2 scoop ice
1.5 oz tequila of your choice
1 oz Cointreau
1.75 oz sour mix

Shake. Strain into salted-rim pint glass full of ice. Top with a splash of soda water. Float .25 oz Gran Marnier. Sip. Savor and enjoy!

Pisco Sour

Mixed Recipe
2 oz Pisco
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz simple syrup
½ to 1 oz egg whites (pasteurized egg whites are available in many supermarkets)
1 drop of Angostura Bitters

In a shaker with 5 large ice cubes, combine Pisco, lime juice, and simple syrup, adding egg white last.

Shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds and immediately strain into a 6 oz rocks glass (be careful not to allow any ice to pour into the cocktail).

Garnish with a single bullet of Angostura Bitters in the middle; do not stir the bitters into the cocktail.

Blender Recipe (makes 6-8 servings)
1 ½ cups Pisco
½ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup superfine sugar or simple syrup
6-8 large ice cubes
2 egg whites (or about 2 tablespoons pasteurized egg whites)
Angostura Bitters

Pour Pisco into a blender with lime juice and sugar/simple syrup. Blend for 30 seconds until sugar is dissolved.

Add ice cubes (do not use crushed ice) and egg whites; blend for about 30 seconds. Pour into 6 oz rocks glasses. Allow to sit for 20 seconds until the frothy head forms on top.

Drop just one drop of Angostura Bitters for garnish on the center of foam; do not stir the bitters into the cocktail

New Granada

1 ¼ oz White Rum (Bacardi)
½ oz Apricot Brandy (Giffard)
¾ oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
1 dash Orange Bitters (Reagan’s #5)
1 dash Angustura Bitters

Shake these ingredients well and fine-strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Top with dry sparkling wine (Argyle Brut). Garnish with a maraschino cherry (Luxardo). Originally created aboard the Safari Voyager in Panama to celebrate inter-cultural and historic symbolism.

Guava Lava

1 part guava juice
1 part mango puree
1 splash of lime
1 shot of rum (optional)
Add 1/2 scoop ice

Mix well. Serve on the rocks with a slice of orange and enjoy with a few friends.

For a virtual UnCruise happy hour, join expert bartender and crewmember Julie Brigham. She will show you how to create some signature cocktails from UnCruise with simple ingredients. Enjoy Beyond the Quarantini: Simple ideas for delicious craft cocktails with ingredients on hand!