Pineapple Libations

OK, I LOVE the Cuban Colada at Havana Rumba. Is there anyone else who does a good Pineapple drink?

[Robin Garr]

Going once ... going twice ... doesn't look like pineapple drinks are hot in the Derby City, Bill!

Pineapple Julep

1/2 oz. of fresh pineapple syrup
4 sprigs of fresh mint
3 oz. Champagne
Crushed ice

Pour syrup in a mixing glass and add 2 sprigs of mint. Muddle together. Add Champagne. Fill glass 2/3 full of ice. Stir gently until mixing glass frosts. Strain into another ice-filled glass. Tuck remaining sprigs of mint into the ice and add a small pineapple wedge.

Pineapple syrup

In a bowl combine 4 cups of granulated sugar with 2 cups of water and stir. Skin and cube a small pineapple. Add fruit to the sugar mixture and let stand for 24 hours. Remove pineapple after gently squeezing to extract additional juice. Stir to dissolve any residual sugar and strain mixture through a cheesecloth-lined funnel into a 1.5 liter bottle. Add a small amount of vodka as a preservative. Keep refrigerated. It will last for several months.


Enjoy!!!

There are a couple tasty cocktails that we were sampled on last week using pineapple juice:

The first uses a new Malibu flavor, Melon, and it is simple as can be:
1 part Malibu Melon,
2 parts pineapple juice.
Pour over ice.

The other drink was a bit heavier. They called it a Pineapple upside down cake:
1 Part Vanilla Vodka
2 Parts Pineapple Juice
Pour over ice and add a splash of grenadine.

I'm not much of a cocktail drinker, a gin and tonic in the warmer weather, and bourbon on the rocks in the colder weather, but both of these were pretty tasty, and refreshing

Joy Perrine, mixologist extraordinarie at Jack's Lounge, has a Tropicale on the menu for the summer made with pineapple infused Woodford.

At Blackstone Grille the Bartenders are all drinking Skyy pineapple, OJ and a splash of 7-up or Sprite. I have seen them turn a lot of people onto it. Easy to make and I tried one and it was pretty refreshing.

That's Skyy Pineapple Vodka. Sorry if their is any confusion.

That's Skyy Pineapple Vodka. Sorry if their is any confusion.

While I'm not a huge vodka fan, the Skyy Infusions are some of the tastiest flavored vodkas available on the market. The flavors are very bold. They are infused with 100 % natural flavors instead of a chemical mess to make it taste like the fruit on the label.

At L&N Wine Bar and Bistro, we have made our own Vodka infusions since we opened. Although we are constantly rotating flavors/fruits and veg's, one of our offerings is currently a pineapple infusion. Makes a great martini in this ridiculous heat!

Cool thread! I love pineapple drinks. My favorite is a simple "pineapple soda". Pour a glass of pineapple juice and top it off with club soda. Boom. Instant awesome.

Asiatique has a pineapple infused Finlandia that we use in the following drink or just served up.

2 oz. pineapple infused Finlandia
1/2 teaspoon Siracha
1/2 oz ginger simple syrup
Shaken then served over the rocks with a splash of sprite.

I am also a fan of the Skyy product line.

Asiatique has a pineapple infused Finlandia that we use in the following drink or just served up.

2 oz. pineapple infused Finlandia
1/2 teaspoon Siracha
1/2 oz ginger simple syrup
Shaken then served over the rocks with a splash of sprite.

I am also a fan of the Skyy product line.

I recommend everyone try this drink. We tried it a few weeks ago when Anderson gave us a free taste (we bought multiple other drinks first. . .). I really don't know how to explain it, but it's good. I can't see drinking more than one at a time, and can imagine the gastrointestinal havoc a night of drinking this would cause, but, try it. It's been a few weeks, but if I remember correctly, it starts with a sweetness, quickly mixed with an oniony/curry-esque flavor, followed by intense heat, and then a sweet finish.

Those are some great suggestions! I love the variety of techniques and flavors everyone suggested. Pretty cool, indeed...

I suppose I'll throw in a few myself. These are organized in order of difficulty and complexity of flavor:

First, the well-known unfrozen colada, which can be served on the rocks or up. Serving this frozen will only produce a watered-down drink:

1.5 oz Cruzan Coconut (or Malibu)
1 oz Pineapple Juice
squeeze sunkist simple syrup (optional)

The simple syrup can be made by bringing sunkist soda to a boil and then dissolving and equal amount of sugar. Add to the drink at the end for a sunrise effect.

Second, a fun riff on falernum punch- an old tiki standard that is finding its way back onto cocktail menus. You can make this summertime classic by the pitcher, making it perfect for entertaining:

1 part spiced rum (Kilo Kai, Capt Morgan, Sailor Jerry)
1/2 part Brandy (take your pick- cherry, blackberry, apricot)
1/2 part Sweet Vermouth (smoother style, like Carpano)
1 part Pineapple Juice
1 part Guava Nectar (Kroger's, Latin section)
1/2 part Grapefruit Juice
1/2 part OJ
1 part Cinnamon Punch (Choi's)

Garnish with various sliced fruits...

Finally, a smokey-sweet cocktail with barnyard nuances. This one you prepare for your foodie friends and serve alongside something with a similar flavor profile, like prosciutto or cave- aged cheese:

1.5 oz Elijah Craig 18 (or 12, Evan Williams Single, Black or Rittenhouse Rye)
.75 oz Smoked Pineapple Puree
1 tsp Buckwheat Honey Water (Dirty Kroger)
Highball, no garnish, no straw...

Build ingredients in glass with ice. Empty into a shaker. Shake 5 times to incorporate. Strain over ice in same glass. I like Heaven Hill products here for their oak prevalence.

For the Puree: Chop pineapple into 2" cubes. Hot smoke for 20 seconds, no more, over the fruit-wood of your choice. Blend until fine. Pass through a chinois or other fine civ, being careful not to press too hard. A juicer is preferable, if you have one!

Sorry if that went too long! Either way, it would be interesting to see what you create with every body's ideas... keep us posted, won't you?