(Not Exactly A) Painkiller

First things first: this is not a Painkiller. This may resemble that drink that originated some 40 years ago at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands, but the Painkiller was adopted as the mascot drink by Pusser's Rum around a decade after its birth (the drink's birth, that is.)

Mai Tai

The true Mai Tai is a vacation in a glass, bearing little resemblance to the sweet, murky rum drink you've likely tried before.

Test Pilot

This Don the Beachcomber classic was created around 1941. As Paul Clarke notes on his blog, Cocktail Chronicles, the key is the combination of Angostura bitters and Pernod.

Painkiller

Yes, it's kinda fruity, and yes, you're venturing into umbrella-drink territory; but we're at the dawn of summer—it's okay to put on your flowered shirt and relax a little bit. A Painkiller can help you shake out whatever winter stiffness remains, and prepare you for the long, hot months ahead.

Cap Haitien Rum & Honey

Let's start the weekend right—with a cocktail recipe from Paul Clarke. The Cap Haitien Rum & Honey is about as easy to prepare as it sounds: Barbancourt rum, honey, and one or two dashes Angostura bitters.

Scorpion

This individually-sized Scorpion was adapted by Jeff Berry and Annene Kaye for Beachbum Berry's Grog Log based on an original drink by Trader Vic from the 1950s.

Saturn

Falernum, orgeat, and passion fruit syrup contribute the tropical flavors that make this tart rumless cocktail fit in with other tiki offerings. It's truly delicious.

Painkiller Cocktail

The Painkiller cocktail was invented at the Soggy Dollar Bar at White Bay on the island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. It's the ultimate tropical drink whether you're beachside, poolside, or inside.

The Swarm

This variation on a Honey Bee cocktail cuts the sweetness of rum and honey with Cynar.

Jasper's Jamaican

Built similar to a daiquiri with a base of buttery Jamaican rum (though according to this guy, a Demerara rum from Guyana works equally well), Jasper's Jamaican is given a little shimmy by the addition of a touch of allspice liqueur. While impossible to find as recently as a year ago, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram is lying around many well-stocked liquor stores.