How to make the pefect Bahama Mamma

“Two Bahama Mammas, please.” is the Jaws equivalent of James Bond ordering a Vodka Martini. Except instead of a suave British spy, it’s a gambling, cockney pilot simply known as ‘Hoagie’.

Played by Michael Caine, who coincidentally was great friends with 007 actor Sean Connery, is known for calling Jaws The Revenge (1987) one of his infamous (aka low quality) “pay check movies.” saying "Won an Oscar*, built a house, and had a great holiday. Not bad for a flop movie."

* The Oscar win was for Hannah And Her Sisters (1986), definitely not Jaws The Revenge.

When Hoagie orders two Bahama Mammas for himself and Ellen Brody, (whom he is trying to seduce), another piece of Jaws folklore was born. Not only are you required to try making one (or 12) for yourself, like jumping off ‘Jaws Bridge’ in Martha’s Vineyard, you MUST order “Two Bahama Mammas” whenever in the Bahamas.

The drink is rumoured to be indirectly named after Dottie Lee Anderson, a Caribbean dancer and performer in the 1930s who also went by the stage name "Bahama Mama." Another theory is that this cocktail became popular during the Prohibition when the Bahamas were used as a rum smuggling base.

Sharks may come and go but Hoagie’s poison aka the ‘Bahama Mamma’ is the quintessential drink of choice when entertaining friends, or their mothers, while in the tropics.

How do you make the perfect Bahama Mamma? Simply, follow our how-to guide below.

INGREDIENTS

Ice

2 parts orange juice

1 part pineapple juice

1 part dark rum

1/2 part coconut rum

1/2 part lime juice

Splash grenadine

Pineapple wedges, for serving

Maraschino cherries, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill a glass with ice. Pour over orange juice, pineapple juice, dark rum, coconut rum, lime juice and grenadine.

2. Garnish with pineapple and maraschino cherries.