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Miami Vice Drink

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The Miami Vice drink is a classic cocktail that is sure to become your new favorite! This drink is a delicious blend of two iconic tropical drinks, the Piña Colada and the Strawberry Daiquiri, layered together to create a stunning and refreshing cocktail that will make you feel like you’re lounging on the beach.

Miami Vice Drink in a hurricane glass with a tropical drink umbrella. Garnished with a slice of pineapple and fresh strawberry. Bottle of Bacardi Light Rum, a fresh pineapple in the background. A bowl of cherries and a half lime in the front.

 

The Miami Vice drink is a unique combination of flavors has made it a favorite cocktail. Its summery and vacation-like vibe is perfect for a hot summer day.

This is a delicious summer drink perfect for you’re summer party, just lounging on the beach, or enjoying a sunny day by the pool.

With just a few simple steps, you can create this refreshing and flavorful drink that will transport you to the sunny streets of Miami.

Why You’ll Love this Miami Vice Drink

  • Refreshing tropical drink: The Miami Vice drink is an awesome blend of two classic cocktails creating a refreshing tropical taste.
  • Stunning: One of the main attractions of the Miami Vice drink the gorgeous layers. The contrasting colors of the Piña Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri mixtures adds fun to any gathering.
  • Best of both worlds: Fans of both coconut-infused Piña Colada and fruity Strawberry Daiquiri can enjoy them both at the same time!
  • Tropical vacation vibes: The perfect mixed drink to feel like you’re in a tropical paradise full of palm trees, even if you’re miles away from the beach.

 

History of the Miami Vice Drink

If you’re a fan of beachy cocktails, you’ve probably heard of the Miami Vice drink. 

The Miami Vice drink originated in Miami, Florida, which is why it’s named after this popular tourist destination.

It actually precedes the popular 1980s television series “Miami Vice.” The show, which aired from 1984 to 1989, starred Don Johnson as Detective James “Sonny” Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Detective Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs. The series was known for its glamorous portrayal of Miami’s nightlife and culture.

Even though it preceded the show, the TV series certainly made the Miami Vice drink one of the most popular drinks at the beach bars.

What does a Miami Vice Taste Like?

A Miami Vice Drink tastes like a blend of tropical flavors with a perfect balance of coconut, pineapple, and strawberry. 

The Piña Colada portion adds a creamy and rich coconut taste with the the sweetness of pineapple juice. While the Strawberry Daiquiri part adds a fruity and refreshing strawberry flavor!

What’s the Best Rum to use for a Miami Vice Drink?

The best rum is a light or white rum, which has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the fruity flavors of the drink. 

Don’t use a spiced rum, which can be too strong and will clash with the other flavors.

 

No time to make it right now? Save it for later and pin it to your Pinterest cocktails board!

Miami Vice Drink in a hurricane glass with a tropical drink umbrella. Garnished with a slice of pineapple and fresh strawberry. Bottle of Bacardi Light Rum, a fresh pineapple in the background. A bowl of cherries and a half lime in the front. Text overlay above that says "best tropical drink: Miami Vice".

 

What’s the Difference Between a Miami Vice and Lava Flow?

A Miami Vice and a Lava Flow are both frozen cocktails that combine strawberry flavors and a piña colada. 

The difference is this Lava Flow drink also includes a fresh banana! It also uses a simple strawberry puree without any lime juice.

The banana changes up the whole flavor for a different delicious cocktail.

More Tropical Cocktails to Love

Pina Colada Pitcher Recipe

Strawberry Daiquiri

Dirty Monkey Drink

Dirty Banana Drink

Kitchen Tools

  • Blender: I use this Ninja Blender because it crushes ice like a boss and it has one-button frozen drink setting!
  • Small Container: To hold the first layer, while you’re using the blender to make the second layer.
  • Hurricane Glass: These Hurricane glasses work best for this drink, but a tall glass will work too.
  • Drink Umbrella: Here are the drink umbrellas I use.

Ingredients

This frozen cocktail is a delicious blend of two classic Caribbean drinks! Here are the key ingredients that you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • WHITE RUM:Both the Piña Colada and the Strawberry Daiquiri are made with white rum, which adds a subtle boozy kick to the drink. You can use any brand of white rum that you prefer.
  • PINEAPPLE JUICE: This sweet and tangy juice is a crucial ingredient in the Piña Colada part of the Miami Vice drink. It adds a tropical flavor and helps to balance out the creaminess of the coconut.
  • CREAM OF COCONUT:This thick and sweet ingredient is what gives the Piña Colada its signature creamy texture. It’s made from coconut cream and sugar, and it adds a rich and indulgent flavor to the drink.
  • FRESH STRAWBERRIES: The Strawberry Daiquiri part of the Miami Vice drink is made with fresh, juicy strawberries, which give the drink a bright and fruity flavor. Be sure to use ripe berries for the best taste.
  • LIME JUICE: The Strawberry Daiquiri part of the Miami Vice drink is made with freshly squeezed lime juice, which adds a tart and refreshing flavor to the drink.
  • SIMPLE SYRUP:This sweet syrup is used to balance out the tartness of the lime juice in the Strawberry Daiquiri part of the Miami Vice drink. You can make your own simple syrup by boiling equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves.
  • GARNISHES: Add fresh fruit for garnishes. I’m using a pineapple wedge and a fresh strawberry.

Miami Vice Drink ingredients displayed on a kitchen counter.

 

Variations

If you’re looking to switch up the classic Miami Vice cocktail, there are a few variations that you can try. Here are some exciting twists to the original drink:

  • Coconut Milk: Add a small amount of coconut milk to the Piña Colada part of the drink for a richer coconut flavor. If you do this, add extra ice to get the thicker texture.
  • Flavored Rum: If you want to add some extra flavor, use a complimentary flavored rum such as a coconut rum or pineapple rum to replace the white rum in the Piña Colada layer.
  • Piña Colada Mix and Strawberry Daiquiri Mix: If you’re short on time or don’t want to make your own mixers from scratch, you can use store-bought Piña Colada mix and Strawberry Daiquiri mix instead. Just be sure to choose high-quality mixes for the best taste. Ready-made mixes are an easy shortcut.
  • Frozen Strawberries: You can use frozen instead of fresh, but you’ll probably need to add more simple syrup, as they aren’t as sweet tasting.
  • Plus, you can always adjust the measurements to your liking. If you prefer one layer over the other, you can make more of that mixture and less of the other mixture. 

How To Make a Miami Vice Drink

Making a Miami Vice is easy and fun! This fruity cocktail is perfect for a hot summer day or anytime you want to feel like you’re on vacation. 

Here are the steps to make your own Miami Vice cocktail recipe:

Piña Colada Layer

To make the first layer, you’ll need

1.5 ounce Pineapple Juice
1.5 ounce Cream of Coconut
1 ounce White Rum
1 cup of ice

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a glass and set aside.

PRO TIP: Taste test this layer before moving on. You may want to add more of a particular ingredient to match your taste buds!

Strawberry Daiquiri Layer

For the second layer of your Miami Vice drink, you’ll need:

4-5 Large Strawberries
1 ounce of Light Rum
1 tablespoon of Lime Juice
1 tablespoon of Simple Syrup
1 cup of ice

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a separate container and set aside.

PRO TIP: Again, taste test this layer. You may want to add more of a particular ingredient to match your taste buds!

Layering the Drink

Now it’s time to put it all together!

Take a hurricane glass and add a little of the strawberry mixture into the bottom.

Then, slowly pour the piña colada mixture over the top of the strawberry daiquiri layer.

Top it off with the remaining strawberry mixture.

Garnish with a fresh strawberry, pineapple slice and a tropical drink umbrella (of course!)

Can I Make this a Virgin Miami Vice?

Yes! You can still enjoy the refreshing taste as a Miami Vice Mocktail. 

Simply omit the 2 ounces of rum and substitute it with coconut milk or added pineapple juice in the white layer.

This Miami Vice drink is a delicious and refreshing frozen cocktail that is perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. If you want to transport yourself to the sunny beaches of Miami, then this is the perfect drink for you!

Yield: 1

Miami Vice Drink

Miami Vice Drink in a hurricane glass with a tropical drink umbrella. Garnished with a slice of pineapple and fresh strawberry. Bottle of Bacardi Light Rum, a fresh pineapple in the background. A bowl of cherries and a half lime in the front.

The Miami Vice drink is a classic cocktail that is sure to become your new favorite! This drink is a delicious blend of two iconic tropical drinks, the Piña Colada and the Strawberry Daiquiri, layered together to create a stunning and refreshing cocktail that will make you feel like you're lounging on the beach.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

Pina Colada Layer

  • 1.5 ounce Pineapple Juice
  • 1.5 ounce Cream of Coconut
  • 1 ounce White Rum
  • 1 cup of ice

Strawberry Daiquiri Layer

  • 8 Large Strawberries
  • 1 ounce of Light Rum
  • 1 tablespoon of Lime Juice
  • 1 tablespoon of Simple Syrup
  • 1 cup of ice

Instructions

  1. Create the Pina Colada Layer: Add all the ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a glass and set aside.
  2. Rinse Blender
  3. Create the Strawberry Daiquiri Layer: Add all the ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth.
  4. Pour a little of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of your Hurricane Glass.
  5. Next, slowly pour the piña colada mixture over the top of the strawberry daiquiri layer.
  6. Top it off with the remaining strawberry mixture.
  7. Garnish with a fresh strawberry, pineapple slice and a tropical drink umbrella (of course!)

Notes

See tips and variations in the recipe post. Drink Responsibly.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 326Total Fat: 19gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 90mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 11gSugar: 34g

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I love easy recipes and delicious desserts and happy to share with you my favorite recipes. My favorite places are tropical, family always comes first and I'm a cocktail enthusiast for sure!
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