Last month, we put out an all-call to ABC staff members for their best recipes in the guise of a contest. If we’re being honest, we just wanted an excuse to try a new cocktail.

And boy did the submission come pouring in! From the B.O.S.S. to the Koconut Killer, a panel of marketing team members judged each entry based on ingredients, mouth-water inducing ability and creativity. And there was one that definitely stood out among the pack: The Beachside Bonfire submitted to us by Nathaniel Palm at store 81 in Oviedo. Nathaniel went above and beyond by even creating the drink himself and submitting photos of the finished product alongside his entry.

Dying to try this tantalizing treat, we mixed and measured and shook and strained and added a little splash of blood orange liqueur. We skewered the fruit and rimmed the glasses, all while drooling over the intoxicatingly sweet scent of the mango and pineapple rums.

So if you’re looking for a Monday evening cocktail after a stressful day, we highly recommend taking a stab at this cocktail—it’s easy to make and beautiful to look at, not to mention delicious. It tastes a lot like vacation, and if you close your eyes while you sip it, we swear you can’t tell the difference.

Beachside Bonfire

1 1/2 oz Palms Pineapple Rum

1 1/2 oz Palms Mango Rum

1/2 oz - 1 oz Dekuyper Blood Orange Liqueur

6 oz pineapple juice

Reduction of orange juice 

Brown sugar

Adornments:  wooden skewer, pineapple wedge, orange wedge, cherry

Directions 

Rim a highball glass with the orange juice reduction and brown
sugar. We’ll admit that we used cherry juice for this.

In a cocktail mixer with ice, shake Palms Pineapple Rum, Palms Mango Rum and pineapple juice together.

Pour directly into center of glass so not to disturb the brown sugar rim.

Add a splash (anywhere from ½-1 oz) of the blood orange liqueur to the center of drink, so that it will sink to bottom and begin to rise.

Add one piece of pineapple, orange and cherry to wooden skewer and place on top of glass.

Optional:  light tips of skewer on fire, let burn and blow out for effect.

Watch the flames rise and enjoy a moment at the Beachside Bonfire.

The finished Beachside Bonfire

Great job, Nathaniel! And thanks for the new recipe!

Cheers!

Hannah and Meghan