Celebrate National Cocktail Day With an Aruba Ariba

National Cocktail Day is March 24th. To celebrate, the Aruba Tourism Authority is sharing the recipe for Aruba Aribas

The Aruba Ariba is the signature cocktail of the Caribbean island Aruba (also known as "One happy island") first created on the island in 1963. The perfect Aruba Ariba has vodka, local Aruban rum, fruit juices, Crème de Banana, Grand Marnier, and garnished with a cherry and an orange.

The final ingredient, enjoying it on the beach with a colorful Aruba sunset, may not be possibly for a lot of travelers for the near future, but you can bring the island's flavors home and plan your visit while you sip and scroll through images of the beaches, Flamingos, caves, and dunes. 

In Aruba, every bartender knows how to make the vodka and rum-based Aruba Ariba. This  drink is an easy, perfect solution to turn your home into a tropical vacation---even if it is just for a few sips.

All the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store, with the exception of “coecoei,” which is a local Aruban liquor unique to the religion. However, you can substitute with Passion Fruit Nectar, Agave Nectar, or Cherry Brandy to capture its fruity flavor.

Ingredients:

• ½ ounce of vodka
• ½ ounce of 151 proof rum
• 1/8 ounce of coecoei (can substitute with Passion Fruit Nectar, Agave Nectar or Cherry Brandy)
• 1/8-ounce crème de bananas
• ½ cup of orange juice
• ½ cup of cranberry juice
• ½ cup of pineapple juice

Directions: Pour into a glass. Stir slightly. Splash with grenadine. Then top with Grand Marnier. Garnish with a slice of orange.

Watch this step-by-step video if you get stuck.