Because frozen tropical drinks tend to emphasize sweetness, it's very easy to make versions of them without alcohol. The flavor won't be the same, but if you're a non-drinker, or don't like the bite of hard liquor, virgin tropical drinks will have the same appeal. You'll need a good blender and lots of ice to make the drinks at home.
Virgin Frozen Daiquiri
The frozen daiquiri is a rum-based drink originally made with lime juice. Some commercial frozen daiquiris are essentially fruit slushes with rum mixed in, but you can make your own with fresh fruit. Blend ice, splashes of lime and orange juice, sugar to taste, and fresh strawberries until it's smooth and slushy.
Virgin Piña Colada
A piña colada cocktail is a mixture of pineapple juice, cream of coconut and rum. Frozen versions often add vanilla ice cream for a creamy taste. Blend ice cream and equal parts pineapple juice and coconut cream for a frozen nonalcoholic version.
Banana Smoothie
Blend a whole peeled banana with plain yogurt, honey and ice until it's frothy and slushy for a healthy drink. If you're not a fan of banana, substitute it with berries, pineapple, peeled kiwi fruit, or a mix of fruits for a tropical fruit blend.
Virgin Margarita
A true virgin margarita is just limeade; the nonalcoholic components of the tequila-based cocktail consist of lime juice and sugar syrup. Salt, which is meant to temper the sharp taste of the tequila, is not necessary unless you like the lime-salt flavor. Blend the lime juice and sugar syrup with lots of ice. Add a splash of orange juice to replace the traditional splash of orange liqueur.
Virgin Mango Dream
A mango frozen dream is made with mango-flavored rum, amaretto and triple sec, vanilla ice cream, orange juice and ice. The virgin version gets its flavor from real mangos. Peel and chop a mango, and place it in a blender with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or yogurt, 2 oz. orange juice and 1 cup of ice. Blend until smooth, then add 1/2 tsp. of almond extract if desired.
Papaya-Passion Frozen Mocktail
Papaya and passion fruit comes together in a rum-based cocktail that is easily converted to a nonalcoholic version that is almost pure fruit. Puree one passion fruit in the blender, then add a seeded and chopped papaya, 1 tbsp. of honey and 1 cup of ice. Blend until smooth.
Tags: orange juice, juice sugar, lime juice, until smooth, vanilla cream, Blend until, Blend until smooth
