4 Cocktails to Bring Back That Vacation Spirit

I’m 39 now. (Give me a moment to process that.) In 355 days, I’ll hit the big 4-0, not that I’m keeping track or anything.

Just before my birthday, a brutal Nor’easter struck, dumping 18 inches of snow in just a few hours. Another storm arrived on the morning of my birthday, forcing me to declare February 12, 2017, a snow day.

“Since we’re stuck inside, how would you like to celebrate your birthday?” Beth asked.

I proclaimed, "Let's enjoy some boat drinks!"

As I opened the pantry, I noticed our supplies were running low. Glancing at the labels sparked an idea: Why not whip up a few of my favorite cocktails from our recent trips to the Caribbean? To add an extra touch of celebration—after all, it’s a birthday on a snow day—we decided to not only recreate the cocktail but also capture the ambiance of the cruise where I first enjoyed it.

So, without further delay, I invite you all to join me on our cruise-themed staycation, celebrating my 39^th birthday. Cheers to that!

Bloody Maria

The Bloody Maria is undoubtedly my top choice for a morning cocktail. I adore how the tequila mingles with the spice and tomato flavors. I first discovered it on our inaugural Caribbean cruise, and I haven’t returned to vodka since.

Beth crafted my birthday Bloody Maria perfectly. The garnishes were abundant, and the spice level was just right. Then, a massive breakfast sandwich and fresh donuts made their debut. It was the closest I've ever come to Dinogo's Sea Day Brunch on dry land, setting a new benchmark for all my future birthday breakfasts.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. tequila
• 1 tsp. horseradish
• 3 dashes Tabasco sauce
• 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Dash of lime juice
• 3 dashes celery salt
• 3 dashes pepper
• Tomato Juice
• Celery stalk/Lemon/Olives for garnish

Instructions for Preparation
In a chilled glass filled with ice cubes, pour all the ingredients except for the tomato juice. Add the tomato juice on top and mix thoroughly by rolling the mixture back and forth between two glasses (or stir well). Garnish with olives, a lemon wedge, and celery stalks.

Cayman Lemonade

Calico Jacks, a tiki bar situated on 7-mile beach in Grand Cayman, is where this delightful cocktail originated. We prepared it at home before embarking on our first western Caribbean cruise—never imagining we would actually visit the Calico Jacks bar—only to end up there after our initial SCUBA lesson. I ordered a Cayman Lemonade to take with us and we found a spot on the soft white sand just outside the bar.

Fast forward to my birthday. Enjoying a Cayman Lemonade while lying in the snow, with flurries gently falling in the silvery twilight, created a delightful contrast to our days spent in Grand Cayman.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 1 oz. peach schnapps
• Cranberry juice
• Club soda or seltzer
• Lemon

Instructions for Preparation
Begin by combining the vodka, triple sec, and peach schnapps in a shaker. Pour the mixture over ice, add a squeeze of lemon, followed by a splash of cranberry juice and soda. Stir well and enjoy your drink.

Margarita

Whether by air, sea, or land, I am absolutely crazy for margaritas. On the rocks or frozen? It doesn’t matter to me. So, when I decided to recreate the photo of myself lounging on the Dinogo Dream with a margarita in hand, I couldn’t imagine a better spot than my lazy boy chair in front of a crackling fire.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 1.5 oz. tequila

Instructions for Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Blushing Mimosa

During our last cruise, I treated myself to a wonderful pedicure, which I absolutely loved. We popped open a bottle of Champagne before heading for our spa treatment, making the experience even more enjoyable. It was truly a Treat Yo Self kind of day; a memory I often revisit when I need to escape to my happy place. So, after a chilly afternoon playing in the wind and snow, it was only fitting to indulge in a delightful mimosa cocktail while pampering my cold, frozen feet.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of orange juice
• 1 cup of pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons of grenadine
• 1 bottle of champagne or prosecco

Instructions for Preparation
Mix the orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine together. Pour equal parts of the juice mixture and champagne into a glass.