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Need a super simple cocktail that will snap you out of your self-quarantining blues?
This creamy and oh so dreamy beverage is the more adventurous cousin to the pina colada. Frozen peaches, pineapple, and coconut water are blended, then coconut rum, simple syrup, and a splash of grenadine are added. With just one sip, you will feel like you are far away on a beautiful island somewhere in the South Pacific.
Want to make it a "mocktail"? Just omit the rum for a fun, dessert-like cocktail for the kiddos!
Am I the only one that feels like this pandemic is like being shipwrecked or stranded on a deserted island? For close to a year now, we have all been self-quarantining and limiting our social outings. The limited contact with friends and family makes me feel anxious and isolated – like being stranded in my own house.
Now, I understand these precautions and sacrifices that we are making now are in everyone's best interest. As time passes and everyone is finally vaccinated, I am hopeful we will come out on the other side of this – better educated, thankful, and incredibly grateful. I will no longer take the little things for granted – like going to the grocery store, visiting my daughter in her dorm room at college, going to a concert or baseball game, or lunch with a friend.
It has been a long week for me. It's been cold and snowy outside, which adds to that feeling of isolation. It's the kind of week I want to cuddle up on the couch with a warm blanket next to a fire. Better yet? It makes me want to escape on a tropical vacation (not shipwrecked on a deserted island) to the warmth of paradise with white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and beautiful sunsets, with a fun cocktail (like this one) in hand, complete with a tiny umbrella. No COVID allowed.
Since an island vacation isn't a real-world option right now, I decided to bring the tropics to us!
You'll want to start by making the simple syrup. I do this in the microwave by bringing equal parts sugar and water to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Place the sugar and water in a microwave-safe bowl and stir well. Microwave the mixture on high for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir and reheat as needed until the sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to cool on the counter for an hour. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Next, place the frozen peaches and pineapple into the blender. Using frozen fruit eliminates the need to add in any additional ice (this can water your drinks down). It makes it thick and creamy without the need to add cream of coconut or coconut milk. Next, add the coconut water, coconut rum, and simple syrup. Blend on high, adding more or less coconut water to achieve your desired consistency.
To serve, add 1 ounce of grenadine to the bottom of 3 hurricane glasses. Top each glass with the blended mixture. Place a straw into each glass. Garnish with fresh orange slices, shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries, if desired. Slowly stir each cocktail with the straw to mix-in the grenadine to create beautiful red swirls.
While we might not be sipping this yummy, icy-cold adult beverage poolside or on a white sandy beach in the tropics, it's sure to get everyone in a warm sunny mood no matter where they are!
This recipe makes three cocktails.
Let's get cooking!
Ingredients
Simple syrup:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
Cocktails:
2 cups frozen peaches
2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
1 cup of coconut water
4.5 ounces of coconut rum (omit for "mocktails")
3 ounces of simple syrup (add more to taste for sweeter cocktails)
3 ounces of grenadine
Fresh orange slices for garnish
Maraschino cherries for garnish
Shredded coconut for garnish
How to make
Simple syrup:
Place the sugar and water in a microwave-safe bowl.
Stir well.
Microwave the mixture on high for 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir and reheat as needed until the sugar dissolves.
Allow the mixture to cool on the counter for an hour.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
Cocktails:
Place the frozen peaches and pineapple into the blender.
Add the coconut water, coconut rum, and simple syrup.
Blend on high, adding more or less coconut water to achieve your desired consistency.
Add 1 ounce of grenadine to each of the 3 hurricane glasses.
Top each glass with the blended mixture.
Place a straw into each glass.
Garnish with fresh orange slices, toasted coconut, and maraschino cherries, if desired.
Slowly stir each cocktail with a straw to swirl in the grenadine.
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