Island Affair Cocktail Recipe

Island Affair Nutrition Facts

Calories:250

Fat:0g

Protein:1g

Carbohydrates:30g

Alcohol:10%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: August 23, 2024

History

The Island Affair cocktail is a tropical delight that originated in the Caribbean. It is said to have been created by a bartender who wanted to capture the essence of a romantic island getaway in a glass. This cocktail is perfect for those who enjoy fruity, tropical flavors and is often enjoyed by couples on vacation or during special occasions.

  • The Island Affair is believed to have been created in the 1970s
  • It gained popularity in the 1980s as tropical cocktails became more popular
  • The cocktail is often associated with beach vacations and romantic getaways

How Island Affair Tastes?

The Island Affair cocktail is a sweet, fruity, and refreshing drink with a hint of tartness. The combination of tropical flavors creates a harmonious balance that is both invigorating and satisfying.

Interesting facts about Island Affair

  • The Island Affair is sometimes called a 'vacation in a glass' due to its tropical flavors and associations with beach getaways
  • The cocktail is often served in a hurricane glass, which is designed to resemble the shape of a hurricane lamp
  • The Island Affair is sometimes garnished with an edible flower, adding an extra touch of romance and elegance

Ingredients

White Rum

  • Used for its clear, light flavors which don't overpower the fruit juices. 1.5 oz ensures a balanced kick without turning the affair into a boozy bust-up. Skimp on it, and you'll be attending a tame party. Overdo it, and you'll be the one swinging from the chandeliers.

Mary Mitkina

Passion Fruit Juice

  • The tropical heartthrob of the drink. 2 oz gives a sweet, tangy base that's both exotic and irresistible. A little less, and the cocktail might lose its passion. A bit more, and it could end up too tart for some.

Mary Mitkina

Orange Juice

  • Bringing 1 oz to the party adds brightness and a familiar citrus note. Without it, you'll miss the warmth of the sun in your glass. Replace it with blood orange for a twirl of different citrus notes.

Alex Green

Pineapple Juice

  • 1 oz for a burst of sweetness and acidity, setting the stage for a truly tropical experience. Less pineapple juice, and the complexity starts to wither. More, and you're just making spiked pineapple juice.

Mary Mitkina

Grenadine

  • The 0.5 oz of this pomegranate syrup adds a seductive color and a hint of sweetness. Without it, your Island Affair might just look and taste a bit dull. Too much, and the drink becomes a sugary caricature of itself.

Mary Mitkina

Ice

  • The unsung hero. 1 cup chills the flavors and sets the stage for a refreshing sip. Too little, and the drink's appeal might just melt away.

Alex Green

Orange Slice

  • A sunny garnish hinting at the flavors within. It's that little preview of the good times to come.

Mary Mitkina

Maraschino Cherry

  • The cherry on top! It's the sweet finish and the flirty wink after a tropical island escape in a glass. Without it, it's like a joke missing the punchline.

Mary Mitkina

Recipe. How to make Island Affair Drink

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
  2. Add the white rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine
  3. Shake well until chilled and combined
  4. Strain the mixture into a hurricane glass filled with ice
  5. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh juices whenever possible for the best flavor
  • Shake the cocktail shaker until it feels cold to ensure the drink is well-chilled
  • Garnish with a fresh orange slice and maraschino cherry for an extra touch of elegance

Perfect Pairings

Food

  • Grilled Seafood: The light, refreshing taste of the Island Affair cocktail complements the natural flavors of seafood, such as shrimp or scallops, especially when they're grilled with a bit of citrus zest.
  • Tropical Salads: A fruit-laden salad with mango, papaya, or avocado can mirror the cocktail's tropical essence.
  • Spicy Dishes: The sweetness of the Island Affair can provide a nice counterbalance to the heat from dishes like Jamaican jerk chicken.

Drinks

  • Coconut Water: For a non-alcoholic pairing, coconut water can accompany the tropical notes while keeping the palate refreshed.
  • Light Beers: A crisp lager or pilsner can be a great sidekick, especially for those who like to alternate between sips of cocktails and suds.

🍹 Discover the Top 50 All-Time Recipes! 🍹

Enter your email, and we'll send the exclusive list straight to your inbox.

We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

What you could change in Island Affair

  • White rum can be substituted with dark rum for a deeper flavor
  • If you don't have passion fruit juice, you can use mango juice
  • Orange juice can be replaced with grapefruit juice for a more tart flavor

Explore all drinks starting with I here

And of course - twists🍹

Island Affair: Spiced Edition

  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shaker to infuse some heat. This will give a sassy kick that playfully contrasts with the sweet tropical flavors.

Island Affair: Sunset Blend

  • Substituting 0.5 oz of peach schnapps for the grenadine will offer a peachy hue and aroma while delivering a different kind of sweetness that shifts the taste towards a mellow sunset vibe.

Island Affair: Berry Excursion

  • Mix in 0.5 oz of raspberry liqueur with the other ingredients. The berry notes will add depth to the cocktail and create a crimson blush in the glass. The raspberry adds a woodland twist to the beachy affair.

In case you forgot basics how to make Island Affair

Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.

Learn everything on how to shake

Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.

Learn everything on how to strain

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

Find the cocktail you'd love!

If you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
Completely free!

Frequently Asked Questions on Island Affair

What is the origin of the name 'Island Affair' for this cocktail?

The name 'Island Affair' was chosen for this cocktail to reflect its tropical flavors, its origins in the Caribbean, and the romantic and vacation-like feeling it is intended to evoke.

If I can't find a hurricane glass, what other glass can I use to serve the Island Affair cocktail?

In absence of a hurricane glass, you can use a Collins glass or a highball glass. These glasses will also do justice to the visual appearance of the Island Affair cocktail.

Can I make this cocktail alcohol-free?

Yes, you can recreate the Island Affair cocktail into a mocktail simply by omitting the white rum. The tropical flavors will still shine through.

For how long should I shake the cocktail to properly mix it?

You should aim to shake the cocktail for at least 15 seconds. This allows the ingredients to properly mix and chill.

Is the Island Affair cocktail suitable for a themed party?

Yes, absolutely. The Island Affair cocktail, with its tropical flavors and vibrant colors, is perfect for a summer, beach, or tropical-themed party.

More similar recipes to Island Affair!

Explore new cocktails you'd love!

Please rate this recipe