It’s Cocktail Hour!

We don’t know about you but we were so inspired by Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino’s Pisco Sour tutorial that we’ve decided to share some of our favorite cocktail concoctions to capture the taste and experience of the lush Amazon, spice-laden East Indonesia, and the exotic Mekong. There’s nothing like the present to learn a new skill – who knows, you might be good enough to take over our bar when you get on board!

 

 

ARIA AMAZON COCKTAILS

Inspired by the black water lagoons of the Ucayali and Marañon rivers of the Amazon, these cocktails are ultra-refreshing and exotic.

 

PAINKILLER

Just the thing after an adventurous outing, this creamy and fruity cocktail is piquant with notes of cinnamon and clove.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz Plantation Original Dark Rum

1 oz Coconut Cream

1 1/2 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice

1/2 oz Fresh Orange Juice

1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Shake with ice and strain in a double old-fashioned glass

Garnish with grated nutmeg

 

 

 

 

SPRITZ

The Spritz tastes like summertime and looks like an orange sunset, but with an Amazonian twist. The perfect tipple to end the day.

Ingredients

2 oz Aperol

4 oz Sparkling Wine

1/4 oz Lime Juice

1/2 oz Amazonian Gin

1 oz Tonic Water

Pour all the ingredients in a white wine glass and stir

Garnish with citrus wheel and aromatic herb

 

 

 

 

 

 

AQUA BLU COCKTAILS

Featuring a deeper range of botanicals and spices shaken up with fresh Asian produce and artisanal spirits, these cocktails are complex yet delicious.

 

SAILORS RUIN

This deceptively delicious concoction features a type of palm sugar made from the sap of flower buds from the coconut palm.

Ingredients

40 ml Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

30 ml Fresh Pineapple Juice

15 ml Fresh Orange Juice

15 ml Coconut Cream

15 ml Gula Melaka Syrup

Swizzle or blend all the ingredients with crushed ice.

Garnish with two Pineapple fronds

 

 

 

 

TIGER’S SPICE

A refreshing twist on a sailor’s classic Dark & Stormy, garam masala gives this tall classic a flavorsome kick.

Ingredients

45 ml Plantation Original Dark Rum

15 ml Fresh Lime Juice

10 ml Garam Masala Syrup

Top with East Imperial Mombasa Ginger Beer

Shake all the ingredients and serve with cubed ice

Garnish with 5 dashes of Angostura and lime wheel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AQUA MEKONG COCKTAILS

Featuring artisanal spirits, regional produce and local spices, these cocktails source fresh ingredients where possible.

 

MEKONG MARGARITA

Famed for its delicate spice, floral aroma, and long finish, Kampot peppercorns have been regarded as the world’s finest since the 13th century.

Ingredients

45 ml Arte Nom 1414 Tequila

15 ml Fresh Lime Juice

15 ml Vanilla Syrup

3 Sprigs of Fresh Mint Leaves

45 ml Pineapple Juice

Shake all ingredients with cube ice

Double strain into chilled cocktail coupe

Garnish with fresh mint & green peppercorns

 

 

 

 

 

THE LONGTAIL

Lemongrass ginger tea is a ubiquitous tonic in Mekong cuisines, known to relax tension, aid digestion and brighten your mood. This cocktail does exactly that!

Ingredients

45 ml Death’Door Gin

15 ml Fresh Lime Juice

15ml Kaffir Lime Syrup

150ml Ginger Beer

Build all ingredients into ice highball & top up with Ginger Beer

Garnish with lemongrass & kaffir lime leaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are inspired by these Aqua favorites and try them out at home, don’t forget to post and tag us at @Aqua_Expeditions and #CocktailsatAqua on Instagram or Facebook.

 

Plan ahead with our 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries to the Amazon, East Indonesia and the Mekong.