8 Cocktails You Must Try While Visiting Cayman

For most people, a visit to the Caribbean is synonymous with a fruity cocktail, complete with a little umbrella garnish. On Grand Cayman Island, delicious food–and drink–is an integral part of any visit. If you’re headed to the Cayman Islands this season, be sure to sample one or more of these “not-to-be-missed” cocktails. If you’re headed to the Cayman Islands this season, be sure to sample one or more of these “not-to-be-missed” cocktails.
1. Mudslide. Mudslides are a “thing” on Grand Cayman…and it’s easy to see why. This delicious combination of vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Cream and chocolate syrup is both refreshing and just decadent enough to let you know you’re on vacation.
2. Strawberry daiquiri. Since rum is produced on Grand Cayman, you can expect to find a number of excellent rum concoctions here. Chief among these are daiquiris, a variation of the classic lime, sugar and rum cocktail. For a strawberry daiquiri, fresh or frozen strawberries replace most of the lime juice.
3. Rum punch. Every establishment on Grand Cayman has its own recipe for rum punch…and virtually all are delicious. The only common denominator is that they use local rum and fruit juice. Be sure to sample at least a couple different ones.
4. Gin and tonic. This refreshing cocktail reflects Grand Cayman’s British roots. Gin is affordable here, due to favorable trade agreements with the UK, so you won’t pay the premium for it that you’ll pay for many other liquors that aren’t produced in the islands. Run the lime wedge around the rim of the glass for a tart hint with every sip.
5. Pina Colada. Although this combination of pineapple juice, coconut and rum originated in Puerto Rico, you’ll find no shortage of this distinctive Caribbean cocktail on Grand Cayman.
6. Seven Mile Breeze. Named for the lovely stretch of white sand, the Seven Mile Breeze is a combination of local vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice, all poured over ice in a tall glass and garnished with a lime.
7. Cayman Lemonade. This rum and vodka cocktail tastes just like lemonade, so be careful how quickly you drink this. The recipe calls for a little peach schnapps, sweet and sour mix and cranberry juice all served over ice in a tall glass.
8. Bikini Martini. Created by the Cayman Spirits Company, this cocktail is both aesthetically pleasing and delicious. It’s a layered mixture of local vodka, coconut rum, pineapple juice and a hint of grenadine, served in a cocktail glass and garnished with an orange slice. Since the different ingredients have different weights, the grenadine will sink to the very bottom, followed by the rum and the pineapple juice.
Don’t leave the Caymans without sipping a strawberry daiquiri or cooling off poolside with a gin and tonic. It’s part of the island experience!