PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

"Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya..." Oops, sorry! We can't help but get carried away with visions of sandy beaches, with the little umbrellas, and island breezes enjoyed from a hammock dancing in our heads. Short of taking some vacation time, bringing a tropical vibe into the kitchen all year round is always a great vibe though, right? Right. So we thought we'd round up all 25 of our favorite tropical food and drink recipes (featuring all things with ,, and ) so you can always stay on "island time" (even if you're at home.)

While you might think of "tropical" as a certain small region or country, the tropics themselves are pretty vast. As in, the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn-level vast. So while we can't cover quite that much ground here, there are some distinct tropical influences (and local produce) that often scream "tropical," especially from the U.S. where there's plenty of cuisine to enjoy from the nearby tropical nations of the Caribbean as well as the island state of . Think: , , and our . Don't those sound like the kinds of dishes you'd dream about long after a tropical vacation? We think so! But we think the best part might be not having to go through airport security to eat them (this time at least).

Of course, we couldn't leave out our favorite tropically-minded drinks and desserts either. Our recipes for and are our all-time stand-bys, but why stop there? Try our with our next to truly make you feel like you're on vacation.

1

Caribbean Cobb Salad With Salmon

PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR-ANN SPENCER

If you’re in the mood to eat the , this Caribbean-inspired Cobb salad is the place to start. A bit brighter than the , this version combines fresh mango, creamy coconut dressing, crushed , and spiced to create a punchy, spicy, filling meal.

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2

Piña Coladas

PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

When you have a creamy, cold, and refreshing piña colada in your hand, life truly becomes a beach. A classic , this tropical vibe in a glass is easy enough to order out at a bar, but when you want the perfect combination of sweetness, creaminess, and slush factor, making it at home is tops.

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Shrimp Mango Salad

PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TYNA HOANG

This quick and easy is pleasantly crunchy and loaded with fresh ingredients—just what we crave when we want something satisfying that won’t weigh us down. With a bright, savory dressing inspired by our , this might be our new favorite way to get in our serving of veggies.

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4

Coconut Cheesecake Bars

PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A must for lovers, this dessert has everything you love about cheesecake bars, plus the dreaminess of creamy, nutty coconut. Think or in a that’s easier to make and to share (perfect for potlucks, parties, and more).

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Bahama Mama Cupcakes

Parker Feierbach

Based on the classic made with multiple and tropical juices, these cupcakes are the next best thing to taking yourself on a tropical beach vacation. 😎

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6

Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls

PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

This bowl has marinated , sweet , and a sweet and spicy glaze that will make you want to lick your plate clean. Plus it only takes 45-minute, and is a total !

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Mango Salsa

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This has the perfect balance of flavors. Serve it with for an incredible , , and spicy snack.

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8

Coconut-Pineapple Spritz

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Craving a tropical vacation? This is for you. No matter the time of year, one sip of this coconut and pineapple will transform your mindset right to a tropical beach or beautiful sunny day, making this the perfect for any season. Warm up a winter day or slip further into the summer vibe—we'll sip on this all year long.

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Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

Andrew bui

Say aloha to your new favorite BBQ . Don't have a grill? No worries, a will help you char these up right in your kitchen.

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10

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Parker Feierbach

By now, we all know the magic of the . It can turn practically anything into a crispy dream in no time, and this coconut recipe is no exception. Ready in under 30 minutes, this can be a perfect for any upcoming party, or an easy .

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Pineapple Coconut Cake

PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This fluffy is filled with an easy pineapple curd (like a tropical !) and finished with a and flakes. We love the bigger, unsweetened flakes, but if you prefer sweetened coconut for the outside, it works just as well.

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12

Spicy Mango Whipped Goat Cheese

PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

We love so much that we won’t rest until we figure out every possible combination of flavorful fruit jam and creamy whipped cheese. Next up is this spicy whipped goat cheese. If you love the OG version, then you’ll be obsessed with this variation that has fluffy garlic and basil-studded whipped , spicy mango chutney, and salty chopped cashews. Whip this up when you have a few friends over for movie night or when you need an easy appetizer to contribute to your next office potluck.

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Dole Whip Smoothie Bowl

PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Imagine a whirlwind of frozen fruits, a symphony of coconut notes, and the creaminess of dancing together in perfect harmony. This refreshing blend, starring frozen bananas, mangoes, and , serves up a tropical celebration fit for the most adventurous little eaters.

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14

Coconut-Lime Layer Cake

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Put the in the and bake this stunning ! One of the reasons this cake is SO fun to eat is that it’s not about blasting every component with all the lime and all the coconut flavor, but instead letting each part of the cake bring something to the party.

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Pineapple BBQ Meatballs

PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

These pineapple BBQ are juicy, tender, and glazed to perfection in a sauce made with sweet pineapple chunks. Serve them as a dinner, or stick a toothpick in each meatball for a crowd-pleasing make-ahead tropical appetizer.

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16

Sex On The Beach Cocktail

PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A Sex On The Beach is a drink that rose to popularity in the 1980s, and it’s no wonder why—peachy, tart, and citrusy, it’s the perfect . Most well-known for its provocative name, this is also one of the best ways to bring tropical vibes to your warm weather celebrations.

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Huli-Huli Chicken

Parker feierbach

Originating in Hawaii, this chicken recipe is really all about the sauce. In this case, the sauce includes juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and (stay with us) ketchup. That all makes for an insanely delicious base, and plenty of garlic and ginger bring some acidity and brightness to this easy, tropical chicken dinner.

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18

Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls

This recipe is a bit of a culinary road trip through some Jamaican staples: , aromatic , and in a jerk marinade. To add a touch of crunch, acidity, and color, we top it all off with a simple that is just as delicious on its own as it is in the bowls (make extra and put it on everything).

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Watermelon Feta Skewers

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Watermelon + feta is one of our favorite combinations of all time — especially during the summer time. You can go classic and toss all of your ingredients in a bowl à la , but if you’re looking for an adorable party app, these are the next best thing. Simply layer , tangy feta, red onion, cucumber and basil on your skewers, then drizzle with a balsamic glaze to top it all off.

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20

Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Mango Salsa

PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Perhaps are part of your regular rotation, but you're sick of pairing them with or . Fear not: These -glazed pork chops with are here to shake things up with a flavor explosion.

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