10 Simple Savvy Summer Vacation-Inspired Cocktails From Luxury Hotels And Resorts Around The World

When your wanderlust kicks in but there’s no time to travel, you need a quick fix from the comfort of home. Try these ten simple, savvy do-it-yourself cocktail recipes from some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts. Each one takes you on a summer vacation to an incredible destination with every sip.

Many hotels and resorts recommend specific brands for these ingredients, but you can substitute with your label of choice.

The Last Of The Palomas – Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, The Maldives

The perfect fix for the long sun-filled days of summer, The Last of the Palomas from Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort in the Maldives is a good way to feel like you’ve discovered your own island.

INGREDIENTS

• 45 ml Mezcal
• 45 ml Pink Grapefruit (freshly squeezed)
• Pinch of salt
• 2 dashes of grapefruit bitters
• 30 ml Sweet and Sour Mix
• Grapefruit soda

RECIPE

Fill a glass with ice, then pour in the Mezcal and pink grapefruit juice. Add a pinch of salt and two dashes of grapefruit bitters for an extra burst of flavor. Next, pour in the sweet and sour mix, followed by a generous splash of grapefruit soda in a moistened glass sprinkled with salt. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients. Finally, garnish with a slice of grapefruit or a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. Sip and savor the delightful balance of smoky Mezcal, zesty grapefruit, and fizzy soda in this tantalizing cocktail.

Dark N’ Stormy – The Rosewood Bermuda

As Bermuda’s national drink, the Dark ‘n Stormy, the Rosewood Bermuda’s rendition is a leading competitor among the island’s crowded Dark ‘n Stormy tastemakers. The charm and refinement of the Rosewood Bermuda is apparent in the hotel’s twist on the island’s most popular drink.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ounces Dark Rum (Nothing spiced; we use Gosling’s as it’s Bermuda-born)
• 3 ounces Chilled Ginger Beer (we use Barritt’s)
• ½ ounce to a squeeze of Fresh Lime Juice
• Lime wheel to garnish
• Ice

RECIPE

Using a highball glass filled with ice, pour in the ginger beer and add the lime juice to taste. Slowly pour the rum to float over the ginger beer. Garnish with a lime slice and enjoy.

Deep Purple – InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Feel the luxurious island living by the Arabian Gulf with the Deep Purple from the Intercontinental Ras Al Khaimah hotel in the UAE, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio. Your spectacular summer adventure just got better.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ounces Pisco
• 1 ounce Lime juice
• 3 Blackberries
• 1 ounce Egg whites
• Dried rose buds (optional)

RECIPE

In a shaker, muddle the blackberries with lime juice, followed by a dry shake. Add the pisco and egg whites, add ice and shake again. Strain and serve in a coupe cocktail glass, adding dried rose buds for garnish.

Sips of Sunshine – Orafo, The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero

Here’s a wonderfully fun and simple cocktail from Orafo, the California Italian-inspired restaurant that opened this past February at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero.

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 ounces of your favorite Gin or Vodka
• .5 ounces of Elderflower liqueur such as St. Germain
• .5 ounces of Lemon juice
• .5 ounces of Simple syrup or your favorite sweetener (honey, agave, etc.)
• Sparkling wine
• Raspberries
• Mint

RECIPE

Muddle raspberries and mint. Add all ingredients except sparkling wine. Shake well. Strain and serve over ice. Top with sparkling wine.

Turnefee Island Resort – Off The Coast of Belize

For the completely unplugged feeling, this hibiscus-inspired cocktail from Turneffe Island Resort, off the coast of Belize hits all the necessary notes. The Hibiscus Punch is typically made with hibiscus grown on Turneffe’s 14-acre private island. The resort has provided a simple recipe for those of us who can access hibiscus at home or purchase online.

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 ounces tequila (gold is recommended)
• 1 ounce Caribbean rum (dark)
• 1.5 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1.5 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 ounces hibiscus syrup

Hibiscus Syrup

• 1.5 c sugar
• 2 c dried hibiscus petals
• 2 c water

RECIPE

To make the hibiscus syrup from scratch, blend the dried petals with the water until smooth. Hibiscus petals can be purchased online or at some specialty tea stores. Hibiscus syrup can also be purchased online to make this recipe even easier for home bartenders. Strain the blended mixture, and boil the resulting juice with the sugar. Allow to cool completely. Add the juice and all other cocktail ingredients to a shaker. Shake well and pour into a highball glass over ice.

Watermelon Basil Margarita – The InterContinental New York Times Square

Sophisticated and elegant, The Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen connected to the InterContinental New York Times Square is a fabulous spot to gather for drinks and dining. Thrillist reported in 2017 that The Stinger Cocktail & Bar was “the first cocktail-inspired venture by James Beard award-winning Chef Todd English.” Here’s the delightful Watermelon Basil Margarita with just the right balance of sweetness and alcohol.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces Chopped Watermelon
• 4 basil Leaves
• 1 tbsp Agave Nectar
• ¼ ounce Lime Juice
• 2 ounces Casamigos Tequila

RECIPE

In a shaker, combine watermelon, two basil leaves, agave and lime juice. Add Casamigos tequila and fill shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, pour over ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with two remaining basil leaves.

Lit Juice – Hotel AKA Boston Common

The Better Sorts Social Club, which serves as the cocktail lounge at one of Boston’s newest luxury hotels, Hotel AKA Boston Common, has created a zesty and popular summer cocktail, served with some inspired ingredients, including tequila-soaked chilis.

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 ounces Thai chili-infused Lunazul tequila
• Cut three Thai chilis down the middle and put them into a bottle of tequila for 30 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes
• 1 ounce Boiron passion fruit puree
• .5 ounces suze liqueur
• .5 ounces lime
• 2 dashes of orange bitter

RECIPE

Combine Thai chili-infused Lunazul tequila, Boiron passion fruit puree, suze liqueur, lime, and orange bitters, serve over ice, and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Tuscan Sunshine – Castelfalfi resort, Tuscany

The art and culture of Tuscany, one of Italy’s most celebrated regions, is perfectly presented through the Castelfalfi resort’s simple summer cocktail, aptly named Tuscan Sunshine.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ounces of dry gin
• 1.5 ounces of elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germain
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 dashes of orange bitters

RECIPE

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with rosemary and a slice of lemon. Salute!

Pisco Sour – The Singular Hotels

The classic Pisco Sour is a popular Peruvian cocktail that is refreshing and easy to make. Whether staying at the Santiago or Chilean Patagonia property, anyone can enjoy the natural surroundings of South America through the classic Pisco Sour from The Singular Hotels.

INGREDIENTS

• Pisco
• subtle lime
• simple syrup

RECIPE

Dry-shake all ingredients together. Then add ice and shake again. Strain into a glass and enjoy.

Honeysuckle – The Williams Inn, Williamstown, MA

The warmth and hospitality of The Berkshires is ever-present in this simple and delightful cocktail from The Williams Inn, a resounding TripAdvisor favorite among reviewers.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ounce Bourbon
• 1 ounce Calvados
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

RECIPE

Shake all ingredients together with ice and serve up in coupe glass.