This or That: Maine’s Blueberry Mojito or Florida’s Coconut Daiquiri

We compare two creative cocktails – one typically served at Opal resorts in the Northeast, and one served at the resorts in Florida – plus their recipes to take home.

When it comes to dreaming up good mixed drinks suited for summer, Opal resorts never fall short. These bar masterminds know the art of creative cocktails to transform your sipping experience into a sensational one. But there are two specific popular cocktails launched by certain resorts that, over time, have risen above the rest. In fact, they became so popular, the other resorts’ bar programs have also made them a part of their usual menus. We’re talking about the Blueberry Jam Mojito from The Samoset Resort and the Hand-Shaken Coconut Daiquiri from Opal Sands. Here, we give you the lowdown on these two drinks,  plus their recipes to take home.

The Drink: Blueberry Jam Mojito

The Backstory

The mojito may have originated in Cuba, but blueberries are all Maine. In fact, the wild blueberry is Maine’s state fruit – which is why the Blueberry Jam Mojito was a natural concoction by Samoset Resort. First introduced in the summer of 2016 and returned due to popular demand, this particular drink captures Opal’s garden-to-glass philosophy, which originated at  Samoset Resort. In fact, the barman literally walks out past diners to the herb garden – scissors in hand – to cut the mint leaves that go into this tart and refreshing drink. There’s no better excuse to treat yourself.

The Recipe

Ingredients

1.5 oz.          Stoli Blueberi Vodka

3 oz.             sour mix (Opal Resorts suggest FreshBev Lime Sour)

dash             blueberry jam shrub (buy online here)

splash          sparkling soda

5                    mint leaves

1                    mint sprig

1                    sugarcane swizzle stick

5                    blueberries

1. In a shaker, add one scoop of ice, mint leaves, blueberry jam, and dry shake.
2. Add Stoli Blueberi Vodka, FreshBev Lime Sour, blueberry shrub, and shake again.
3. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice, splash with sparkling soda, and garnish with mint sprig, blueberries, and sugarcane swizzle stick.

The Drink: Hand-Shaken Coconut Daiquiri

The Backstory

Daiquiris are the perfect litmus test to determine whether a bartender knows how to make a quality drink – and it’s a test the bartenders at Opal Sands Resort consistently pass with flying colors. After all, they were integral in the process of creating the Hand-Shaken Coconut Daiquiri. Normally, when you think of daiquiris, you picture a frozen drink, umbrella-in-glass, and sitting by the pool. However, this version breaks convention and is more upscale martini-style – something for after the sun goes down. The rum gives the drink its kick, but the coconut balances it out with a tropical flavor worthy of its Florida roots.

The Recipe

Ingredients

2 oz.             Malibu rum

1 oz.             freshly squeezed lime juice

1 oz.             simple syrup

toasted coconut flakes

honey

1. In a shaker, add one scoop of ice and all ingredients, and shake vigorously.
2. Rim a chilled martini glass with honey and garnish with toasted coconut flakes.
3. Strain mixture into the martini glass.

Where to Stay Opal Sands Resort | Samoset Resort