Magical Mocktails by Susan Campbell There’s a whole lotta shaking going on all around this island for those who are craving delicious drinks without the kick! Enjoy all the benefits of a creatively made cocktail, smoothie, or shake, without the strong spirits that might slow you down, with these delightful, traditional, and new age beverages.
Of course, this vacation paradise has thousands of delicious tropical cocktails to help you unwind and let loose on your holiday. But sometimes you want to avoid the “kick” and keep a clear head, yet still crave something exotic and special. Aruba has plenty of fabulous “buzz-free” beverages to choose from when seeking out libations without liquor. Über healthy, creamy and dreamy, or fun and festive... this island serves up all kinds of cool concoctions guaranteed to suit any craving. So let’s go see what’s shaking! Bountiful batidos
Long before blenders were commonplace, Caribbean and Latin American countries were making batidos by hand as a delicious and
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healthy way to beat the heat. Batido is Spanish for “beaten or whipped” and the process of creating these special drinks entailed hand-beating fruits to pulverize them into a pulp. Then some water or milk (usually sweetened condensed milk because it keeps better in hot weather) was added along with some sugar or honey before vigorously shaking the whole mixture up to make it frothy and light. Today, batidos are usually made with blenders and served with finely crushed ice to keep them cool. Each region has its own favorite fruits to use in batidos, but typically banana, papaya, mango, pineapple, strawberry, guava, passion fruit, tamarind, watermelon, and even coconut are mixed in different variations together, but you can use any kind of ripe melon, berry, or fruit. !
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In Cuba, batidos de mamey are hugely popular. Mamey is a tropical fruit that tastes like a mix of strawberry and kiwi. In many Latin American countries, a batido made without milk is called a licuado. On Aruba, both are called batidos, you simply order it with or without milk. They are popular as a healthy instant breakfast when cooked grains or puffed wheat is added to the mix like the batido de trigo (trigo means wheat in Spanish) or Brazil’s vitaminas, which contain uncooked oatmeal. On Aruba, you can find authentic batidos in many of the little snack trucks and kiosks in downtown Oranjestad, beachside in some areas, and dotted throughout the smaller towns of San Nicolas and Savaneta. Sometimes they are easy to find because it’s on the sign, as is the case with Happy Spot, but often there’s no sign, or the outfit is simply called a “snack”. So if you encounter a local food stand inquire on-site, chances are good they make them. Or better yet, ask the locals where their favorite batido spots can be found. Beyond batidos
There are all kinds of other cool concoctions to be enjoyed here beyond batidos and tropical cocktails, like creamy milkshakes, floats,
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Kiddie cocktails and mocktails
and malts in exotic flavors, and deliciously healthy smoothies. Some resorts have their own dedicated juice and/or smoothie bars or menus, and some pack them with an added punch of energy by adding protein. How about a banana, kiwi, mango, papaya, and freshly squeezed orange juice with 40 grams of extra protein as the ultimate power drink? Or a peanut butter and banana and protein smoothie? And there are also choices of blended veggie drinks like carrot, celery, and even beet to give you all kinds of extra energy to help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
When it comes to exotic libations, who says adults should have all the fun? Not long ago, children had few choices of kiddie cocktails other than a simple Shirley Temple (ginger ale or lemon-lime soda and grenadine) or a Roy Rogers (cola with grenadine). But Aruba, being such a family-friendly destination ensures that kids are treated as royally as their parents when it comes to special beverage options. Thanks to new pre-mix liquid and frozen slush varieties of non-alcoholic mixers like piña colada and margaritas, children can have their own grownup looking “cocktail” at the pool bar, on the beach, or out to dinner. Many resorts have dedicated kiddie cocktail menus as well; ask your hotel information desk.
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Beyond virgin bloody Marys and Caesars, adults looking to enjoy the taste of a cocktail without the “kick” can enjoy “mocktails” at many bars. Aruba’s barkeeps have been busy coming up with creative ways to make these trendy new drinks taste just like the real thing. You can even have a virgin mojito, or delightful tropical punch without the wallop. So, don’t be shy to see what’s shaking all over this island, there are plenty of terrific thirstquenching options that don’t involve alcohol. "
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