Bahama Mama
Average
Fruity & Sweet
5 Minutes
Highball Glass
Ingredients
It’s Tiki time! The Bahama Mama is a popular Tiki cocktail that contains two types of rum and the essential flavors of coconut and pineapple.
As with many other Tiki drinks, the Bahama Mama contains quite a few ingredients but fear not, it’s easy to make. If you’re hosting a Tiki-themed party or any summer party for that matter, the Bahama Mama is guaranteed to be a hit.
How To Make a bahama mama cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Knife
Boston Shaker
Hawthorne Strainer
How to Mix
-
Fill a Boston shaker with ice cubes.
-
Use a jigger to measure and pour Cuban Rum into the smaller tin of the shaker.
-
Measure and pour Malibu Original into the shaker.
-
Use a knife to cut a lemon in half.
-
Use a citrus elbow or citrus press to juice the lemon.
-
Measure and pour the lemon juice into the shaker.
-
Measure and add pineapple juice into the shaker.
-
Measure and add grenadine into the shaker.
-
Connect the two shaker tins together to seal, then shake vigorously until frosty.
-
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
-
Separate the shaker tins and place a Hawthorne strainer over the larger tin.
-
Strain the cocktail into the glass through the strainer.
-
Garnish with an orange wheel.
What is a Bahama Mama Cocktail?
The Bahama Mama is a popular shaken tiki-style cocktail made with aged Cuban Rum and white rum with coconut flavor.
What Does a Bahama Mama Cocktail Taste Like?
A quintessential tropical-fruit-and-rum cocktail. The combination of rich, dark rum and sweet coconut-flavored white rum together with pineapple and orange juice is everything you want in a classic Tiki drink. Yes, it’s sweet but not overly so.
The History of the Bahama Mama Cocktail
The most popular story goes that a Bahamian bartender created the Bahama Mama in 1963 at a beach hotel or nightclub in Nassau. Some women at the bar wanted a fruity drink they’d never tried. Lo and behold, the Bahama Mama was born.
Tips for Making the Perfect Bahama Mama Cocktail
- Make your own juice
It’s always worth repeating – to make great drinks, you’ve got to use the best quality ingredients. This means, no store-bought juice.That’s right, to make the perfect Bahama Mama you should make your own lemon juice and pineapple juice. Use a citrus press or citrus elbow to juice your lemons, and grab a blender to juice your pineapple. Check out our article on how to juice your fruits.
- Pick a ripe pineapple
The riper the pineapple, the sweeter and tastier your drink will be.
How do you choose a ripe pineapple? Pick a pineapple that’s golden-yellow. Give it a gentle squeeze – if it’s slightly soft and smells sweet, you’re good to go! A ripe pineapple’s leaves will pluck out easily from the center, and the fruit should feel heavy for its size.
Variations of a Bahama Mama Cocktail
- Bahama Mama with Coffee Liqueur
Many popular Bahama Mama recipes incorporate 1 part Coffee Liqueur, adding depth and richness along with a unique twist to this classic tropical rum cocktail. It also helps balance the sweetness, creating a more dynamic and complex flavor profile.
Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Bahama Mama Cocktail
- We recommend serving this drink in a highball glass filled with ice cubes. But hey, if you have a Tiki mug handy, use that. A Collins glass is another great choice.
- To garnish, we recommend an Orange Wedge. However, another popular garnish for the Bahama Mama is a Pineapple Wedge. Now that’s Tiki, baby!
- Like the Mai Tai, you could also garnish your Bahama Mama with a cocktail cherry.
- Finally, add a couple of anise-forward bitters to finish to add yet more complexity to the drink.
Bahama Mama FAQ
Traditionally, the Bahama Mama uses a blend of rums. Aged Cuban rum adds depth and character, while white rum with coconut flavor brings tropical sweetness.
The Bahama Mama is made with lemon juice, pineapple juice and two types of rum – aged cuban rum and white rum with coconut flavor. On the other hand, a Mai Tai is made with Martinique rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, orgeat (almond) syrup and is garnished with mint and a cherry.
Both are Tiki drinks but both are distinctly different.
No, a classic or traditional Bahama Mama does not traditionally contain banana.
It’s widely accepted that this cocktail is named after a Caribbean dancer who performed under the stage name ‘Bahama Mama linking the drink to its island heritage.’
