Bright citrus, smooth rum, and a hint of sweetness bring back this tropical cocktail that once lit up the TGI Fridays menu.
Photo by SCRR
Copycat TGI Fridays Lights of Havana Cocktail
A rum-based tropical cocktail with citrus, light sweetness, and a refreshing finish.
This one walks a fine line. Too sweet and it’s forgettable, too sharp and it loses the vibe. Keep it balanced, cold, and easy to drink.
Quick Recipe Overview
- Best For: Cocktails, parties, tropical drinks
- Flavor Profile: Citrus-forward, lightly sweet, smooth rum finish
- Skill Level: Easy
- What Makes It Like the Restaurant: Balanced citrus and sweetness with a clean, refreshing finish
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays built much of its identity around bold cocktails and a lively bar atmosphere. Over the years, the menu has seen countless drinks come and go, with some gaining loyal followings before quietly disappearing.
Lights of Havana falls into that category, remembered by fans as a bright, tropical cocktail that captured the chain’s flair for fun, approachable drinks.
This Is the Tropical Cocktail Fridays Fans Still Ask For
Tropical rum cocktails often draw inspiration from Caribbean and Cuban flavors, combining citrus, sugar, and light spirits for a refreshing profile.
American casual dining versions tend to smooth out the sharper edges, creating drinks that are easy to enjoy and broadly appealing while still hinting at their island roots.
TGI Fridays Lights of Havana Cocktail Recipe
Bright citrus, smooth rum, and a hint of sweetness bring back this tropical cocktail that once lit up the TGI Fridays menu.
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces White Rum
- 1/2 ounce Dark Rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed Orange Juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed Lime Juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh pressed Pineapple Juice
- 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup
- 1/4 ounce Grenadine
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Ice
- Orange Wheel and Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add white rum, dark rum, orange juice, lime juice, pineapple juice, simple syrup, grenadine and bitters.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.
- Serve immediately.
Related Copycat Recipes
- Bonefish Grill Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail – Bright lemon and sweet blueberry come together in a smooth, refreshing martini with a clean citrus finish.
- Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Cheesecake – Sweet-tart lime meets rich cheesecake for a dessert that disappears fast
- Joe’s Seafood Cleveland Cocktail – Classic seafood-house cocktail with crisp citrus notes and polished martini-bar style
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Questions People Ask
What kind of rum should I use?
A light or silver rum works best for a clean flavor.
Is this a strong drink?
It’s balanced, not overly strong or overly sweet.
Can I make it frozen?
Yes, blend with ice for a frozen version.
What makes it different from a daiquiri?
It has a broader citrus profile and a slightly sweeter finish.
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Photo of “TGI Fridays Lights of Havana Cocktail” created by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes. Photo of “TGI Friday’s” is by Mike Mozart and is used by permission under the Attribution 2.0 Generic Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode.en. Thank you, Mike. Great Picture. Photos may be representative of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is original to Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes. Recipe created by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes based on information from the restaurant and other sources on the internet – many courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.
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