Order a Goombay Smash in Nassau and you will probably get a tall, fruity rum cocktail with plenty of pineapple and a strong tropical character.
It feels right at home in The Bahamas. But the story behind the drink begins far from Nassau, on Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos.
That is where Miss Emily Cooper created the Goombay Smash at her family bar, now known as Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar. The drink went on to become one of the best-known cocktails in The Bahamas.
A Rainy Day and a New Cocktail
The story starts on a rainy day.
According to The Bahamas’ official tourism site, a group of men were outside playing dominoes while Miss Emily was inside experimenting with ingredients. She brought out her new creation for them to try, and one of the men told her it was very good.
She continued working on the recipe and eventually found a way to prepare it in larger batches.
There is one detail that makes the story even better: Miss Emily never tasted the Goombay Smash herself. She did not drink alcohol and was also allergic to pineapple, so the woman behind one of the country’s most famous cocktails never actually tried her own creation.
Where Did the Name Goombay Smash Come From?
The name has another local story behind it.
Around the time Miss Emily was creating the drink, a Goombay Summer Festival was taking place in Treasure Cay. A friend named Brendal suggested she call the new cocktail the Goombay Smash, and the name stayed.
Goombay itself is closely tied to Bahamian culture and celebration. Today, Goombay Summer Festivals continue to celebrate music, Junkanoo, local food, dancing and other traditions across The Bahamas.
The Original Recipe Is Still a Secret
You can find Goombay Smash variations in bars throughout The Bahamas, but Miss Emily’s original recipe is still closely guarded.
Her family has never revealed the secret ingredient, which is part of the reason travelers continue to seek out the original at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar in New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay.
That also means there is no single official recipe you can recreate at home. The version below is our take on the Bahamian classic.
Make a Goombay Smash-Inspired Cocktail at Home
You will need:
1 oz dark rum
1 oz coconut rum
½ oz apricot brandy
1½ oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice
a dash of Angostura bitters ice
pineapple or orange for garnish
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Add the rum, coconut rum and apricot brandy, followed by the pineapple and orange juices. Finish with a dash of bitters and stir well.
Add a slice of pineapple or orange and serve cold.
It will not be Miss Emily’s original, but it gives you a taste of the fruity, rum-forward style that made the Goombay Smash so popular.
How the Goombay Smash Travelled Across The Bahamas
The drink may have started on Green Turtle Cay, but it did not stay there.
Over time, bars across The Bahamas began serving their own versions. Today, you are likely to spot the name on cocktail menus in Nassau and other popular visitor destinations.
Each version can be slightly different. Some are sweeter, others stronger, and the balance of pineapple, coconut and rum can change depending on where you order it.
That is part of the fun of trying one while travelling. The name may be the same, but each bar tends to give it its own character.
Try One on Your Next Trip to The Bahamas
If you are visiting Nassau, look out for a Goombay Smash on local drink menus. Then remember that its story leads back to a much smaller island in the Abacos.
For travelers who make it to Green Turtle Cay, Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar remains the place most closely connected with the original drink.
Explore our destination guides for more ideas and practical information for your next Caribbean trip.
You can also explore our route map to see how The Bahamas connects with other destinations across the interCaribbean network.