Break out your itsy bitsy teeny weenie yellow polka-dot bikinis because we're heading to Miami. If you're looking for a drink that truly captures the city's vibrant energy, then there's only one way to go — a Miami Vice cocktail. Mixed with the refreshing sweet flavors of strawberries and coconut, this frozen cocktail will fill you with summer bliss.
Miami Vice Cocktail
That Miami heat is brutal, so the sunshine state had to come up with the perfect frozen cocktail to cool you off. This rum-based drink features alternating piña colada and strawberry daiquiri layers, making it a tasty summer treat.
Piña Colada Layer Ingredients
- 1½ cups crushed ice
- ½ cup fresh or frozen, crushed pineapple
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounces coconut cream
- 1½ ounce Malibu rum
- 1 ounce dark rum
Strawberry Daiquiri Layer Ingredients
- 1½ cups crushed ice
- 10 ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced (or ¾ cup frozen, sliced strawberries)
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce triple sec or another orange liqueur
- 1½ ounces rum
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all the piña colada layer ingredients. Blend until smooth and pour into a pitcher.
- Rinse the blender.
- Combine all the strawberry daiquiri ingredients into the blender, blending until smooth.
- Pour alternating layers into a poco grande glass.
- Garnish as desired.
You don't need a plethora of new ingredients to experiment with fun flavor combos. Just swap out the original Malibu Rum for one of its many other flavors, such as peach, lime, pineapple, or mango for a whole new take on the classic Miami Vice.
Related: Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri: Recipes to Cool You Off
Finish Off With a Tropical Garnish
If you want to wow your friends at the summer barbeque, don't forget to dress up your Miami Vice with a few fun garnishes.
- Pineapple wedge
- Strawberry slice
- Cherry
- Lime wheel
- Orange twist
- Sea salt rim
- Cocktail umbrella
Quick Miami Vice Cocktail Variations
Just because there aren't any formal Miami Vice variations doesn't mean we don't endorse a few informal ones. There are tons of ways to put a new spin on this frozen drink, and these are just a handful.
- For a stronger flavor, use pineapple rum or spiced rum. If rum isn't your go-to liquor, substitute it for an equal amount of tequila.
- Swap out the fruity ingredients. Using fresh or frozen raspberries, blackberries, melon, mango, or papaya is one way to personalize a Miami Vice. Just make sure you don't omit the lime juice when swapping out the fruits; you need it to balance sweetness.
- Grab some blue curaçao for a pop of blue. Just add ½ ounce blue curaçao to the piña colada layer.
Bring Miami Vice Cocktails to Your Boozy Beachside Party
Get the party started with this chilled, fruity drink that's perfect for the summertime! The next time you're getting ready to sit poolside, mix up a tall glass of Miami Vice. Just a small sip of this refreshing cocktail and the coastal city will feel that much closer to home.
