Can’t Miss Cocktails To Try On Your Next Trip To The Caribbean’s ABC Islands

It’s hot and this year seems to be getting even hotter. If you’re going to suffer through the heat, you might as well do it with a cocktail in hand under a palm tree somewhere in the Caribbean — more specifically, perhaps, on one of the ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

The three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea are filled with lots of sun, tons of palm trees, and plenty of cocktails. Thanks to the mix of tropical and desert-like environment of these islands, they’re able to produce fruit and cacti that are used in creating liqueurs that make drinking in this part of the world a really special experience.

Here are the locally loved cocktails you can’t miss on your next trip to the ABC Islands.

Aruba

Try an Aruba Ariba

Aruba is the largest and liveliest of the three islands and no matter where you happen to be on the island, you’ll find one drink in common at nearly every hotel and bar — the Aruba Ariba. Created in 1963 by a young bartender named Juan “Jocky” Tromp, who submitted the recipe in a cocktail competition while working at the Hilton Aruba. With the aim to make a signature Aruban cocktail, he used fresh pineapple and orange juices paired with vodka, white rum, crème de banana, and grenadine. Raising the glass for a toast, he exclaimed “Ariba Aruba!” instantly giving the cocktail its beloved name. While Hilton celebrates and fondly displays a large photo showing the cocktail napkin the original recipe was scribbled on, this famed cocktail can be found all over the island.

Bonaire

Try Cadushy of Bonaire Liqueur

The significantly smaller island of Bonaire is known for its diving culture and massive population of flamingos — there are more flamingos than there are people! In Bonaire, if you want to drink like a local, you’ll be sipping on quite a bit of liqueur made out of cactus. Made in Rincon at the island’s only distillery, Cadushy Distillery, you’ll discover a bright green cactus-based Cadushy of Bonaire Liqueur. The distillery offers tastings and education about its entire portfolio of spirits — which includes a liqueur for each of six islands in the Dutch Caribbean, but the most popular by far is the original Bonaire Liqueur. Delicious on its own, over ice, or in a cocktail, it’s the Cadushy Special that’s a favorite for many islanders and how they recommend enjoying it. This cocktail, also called The Green Bonaire, is made with vodka, triple sec, lime, and of course a generous pour of Cadushy of Bonaire Liqueur served in an ice cold martini glass.

Curaçao

Try Curaçao Liqueur

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the blue liqueur that bears the same name as the island is the can’t miss beverage when in Curaçao. Though the color may be deceiving, its flavor profile is actually very orange-y and citrus-forward. It’s made from the peels of a type of bitter orange called a laraha that can only be found on the island of Curaçao. For the full experience, you’ll want to visit the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery where you can take a tour of the space to learn about the process and machinery involved in making this fruity liqueur. Sample the different colors — traditional Blue, Clear, Orange, Red, and Green — to see if your brain tricks you into thinking they taste different. Or check out one of their other actually flavored variations. Hang out at the bar with friends sipping various cocktails using the local liqueur or keep an eye out for it as you visit restaurants and bars around the island. It’s a super versatile ingredient, but it’s most often served as a Blue Hawaiian with Blue Curaçao, pineapple juice, and rum or as a Blue Margarita made with tequila, Blue Curaçao, lime juice, and orange liqueur.

Want an excuse to make your way to the ABC islands to enjoy these cocktails? CheapCaribbean is currently looking for Woohoo Beach Ambassadors. Three specially selected ambassadors will have the chance to win two all-inclusive trips to a tropical Caribbean destination of their choice with a plus one, plus an influencer-in-training trip with travel + lifestyle influencer Megan Homme.

Entries close July 31, 2023, but until then take a chance and apply to be one of three CheapCaribbean Woohoo Beach Ambassadors for an all-expense paid cocktail-filled Caribbean adventure. Enter here by sharing where your favorite Caribbean beach is located, why you’re an ideal ambassador, and sharing a 30 second video on Instagram.