Drinks With A Water View Twist

The prolonged indoor experience is fading to a slow burn. The bells on the tower are tolling vacation o’clock. Travelers are longing to break free with a reinvigorated sense of outdoor adventure and desire to visit locations known for their breathtaking and natural beauty.

The constant daydreaming has lead to a real need for vacations to deliver on every level and offer something you simply cannot get at home, albeit gastro delights, unique insights, and stand-out or over-the-top experiences.

But one refined pleasure remains constant and is guaranteed to get us in a vacation state of mind, Cocktail Hour.

Paired with a water view, we are immediately transported.

So I invite you to make yourself your favorite drink, call me and let’s dream about the day YOU will return to our rivers, our beaches, our oceans, our islands, and our life as we want to live it in the land of the free.

Cheers.

Ilikea Mai Tai- Ohau, Hawaii

The quintessential  tropical bar on the sand serves a Mai Tai.  It just goes hand and hand with an island breeze. But Five-Star hotel, Trump International Hotel Waikiki clinches the World’s Best Mai Tai title. Truly. The handcrafted drink is served with class starting with Bacardi 8-year-old rum, amaretto, Canton ginger liqueur, kaffir lime sour, caramelized pineapple puree, Bacardi Select and a scoop of the delectable house-made pineapple-Bacardi Gold Rum sorbet on top. Yes, I said made in house!!  Stay cool in style as you view the sunset vistas in the Honolulu hotel’s alfresco lounge. Is the entire luxury experience worth it? Yes. Yes, it is.

Caicos Sling- Beaches, Turks and Caicos

Like a drink with a view, some things just go together, Tacos and Margaritas, Beer and a Burger, Red Wine and Cheese, but there is nothing quite like swimming in salty Grace Bay and coming up in nothing but your bather for a spicy Jerk Chicken foil and an ice cold Caicos Sling at the Jerk Shack. Appleton Rum, splash of Pineapple juice, fresh lime, club soda, and splash of grenadine goes down like water. Thank you, I’ll take two.

Lemon Drop Martini,  Amawaterways

Enjoy slowly gliding down the Rhine River with icy cocktail in hand, marveling at medieval castles and working up an appetite for an exquisite, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, multi course meal. A favorite time of day on AmaWaterways ships is the Sip & Sail cocktail hour! Could be the wide open deck space and the sweeping panoramic view scenery, but this classic recipe pairs with elegance quite perfectly.Shake up as 1 1/2 ounces Ketel One vodka with 3/4 ounce lemon juice, 1/2 ounce of the secret sauce limoncello and garnish with a lemon twist.

Grand Marnier Orange Slush- France Pavilion at Epcot

Oh, it isn’t but a few moments from walking from Disney’s Beach Club Villas to entering the International Gateway into the World Showcase where I am not queuing up to grab one of these decadent delights. That is if I’m not in the mood for a bubbling flute of Veuve Cliquot in Vins de France.The Grand Marnier Orange Slush is constantly in high production as it packs a high demand punch. It’s a mixture of Grand Marnier, Rum, Grey Goose, and Orange Juice that goes down like a dreamsicle. Everyone will be asking where you got this one when you relax on Showcase Lagoon watching the sunset on Spaceship Earth.

The Virgo, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Must pay a homage to a favorite but rarely enjoyed, Scotch Whiskey. The unrivaled Regent Seven Seas cruising is the ultimate. Toast to your next indulgent reason to travel when you discover your new favorite drink with Regents Signature Cocktail.  Perfecting luxury requires going beyond the necessary and expected. Regent elevates the better to best, refining every detail to please every one on board.The Virgo is a mixologists day dream!! Let your cinnamon stick swizzle into two fingers of blended scotch whiskey with a few drops of old fashioned bitters, one bar spoon of chili and pineapple reduction ( WOW) and pour over one large square ice cube as you sail the North Sea.