I’m all about saving the best for last. Sometimes that gets me in trouble, like on Thanksgiving when I decide to eat my ham last, but by the time I get to it I’m already bursting so I just force it down my throat because I’m determined to enjoy it, but I just end up making myself sick and the entire experience is ruined. *sigh* But today, it just means that I’ve saved the best drink for last. At least in my opinion, it’s the best of the 4.

So, the “dry bar” I worked at. I actually started working there when it opened. It was the first restaurant the owner had ever been involved with, and we were playing a lot of things by ear. I remember working a day shift once, and it was particularly slow. I had cleaned every inch of the place and asked the owner what else I could help with. He said, “We need to have a better Pina Colada. Can you test some things out?” Oh man. I was giddy with excitement. I rushed to the bar and started trying different combinations. On my 4th try, I tasted the drink and knew I’d found it. I gave some to my boss who took a drink, stared at the wall for a moment, then looked at me and said, “That is so fresh. Let’s do that one.”

I guess it was too much for some of the bartenders, because the next week we started just using a Pina Colada mix. Ice, and the mix. That was it. In my opinion it tasted like pure syrup and was incredibly unappealing, but the decision was made so I went with it. But I still remembered my own recipe, and I continued making them that way for myself. And now, it’s your turn. Check it.

2 Cups Ice
1 1/4 Cup Pineapple Juice
1/2 Cup Cream of Coconut (*important – not coconut cream, not coconut milk. Cream. Of. Coconut. You can find it in the grocery store, usually where they have the margarita mixes)
1 Cup Frozen Pineapple

Put it in a blender, straight on ’till morning (to clarify, that means blend until smooth).

The reason I like this version so much is it’s more on the pineapple side than the coconut. Jules hates Pina Coladas, because she says they taste like sun tan lotion. But she loves this one, because it’s balanced and fresh.

Well, I hope these drink posts have been helpful, and even more I hope you actually make the drinks and enjoy them in real life! But if you, for some odd reason, find yourself only able to make one of the drinks I’ve shared this week, I hope it’s this one. It’s great for any summer occasion, and is super simple to make.

Peace out, internet friends. See ya next week (but I won’t literally see most of you, since we really only know each other through that inter webs thing).