Let’s Talk Beverages: They Really “Pull a Meal Together!"

What evokes Hawaii?

Yes, the warmth of the sun on your baby-white-from-Nebraska-skin, the crash of the ocean tide against ancient volcanic rock, the rich smell of salty sea air filling and renewing your lungs….. But wait! We don’t have any of those things! It’s October in the Midwest!

Alright; we’ve had decent weather thus far, but still, what can we do to bring a bit more of the spirit of the islands to our first Dinner Club gathering of the year? We’ve got the papaya, we’ve got pineapple and coconut and as previously mentioned; we have a Smoked Kahlua Pork that should be an amazing interpretation of time-honored luau food!

The only thing that this, and most themed dinners, requires is a cocktail or two to set the mood. I am not - I repeat, am not - typically a “fruity drink” kind of gal, but in this case how could I not partake (at least before dinner)? Yes, I’ll probably drink wine with my food. Some of our group will drink their beer of choice. We believe in everyone being happy, but we do bring forth offerings to one another via our menu book that suggests to “bring your own cocktail of the islands”. (See my last posting for a page out of our booklet.)

I know for example that our hostess will be providing her own special blend of Mai Tai for us to sample, but this group is pretty good about getting creative… Can’t wait to see what drinks help me go to that place in my mind where I’ve the loveliest shade of bronzed skin, a breath full of the freshest air anywhere and a cocktail in hand! Cheers!

Here are a few different Mai Tai recipes to sample:

Pineapple Mai Tai Recipe

Found at: (www.hawaiiforvisitors.com)

Pineapple Mai Tai Ingredients:

4 ounce orange juice

4 ounce pineapple juice

1 ounce lime juice

1 ounce dark rum

1 ounce light rum

1 ounce triple sec

1/2 ounce grenadine

Pineapple Mai Tai Instructions:
Mix all ingredients, shake with ice, and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry and a pineapple wedge.

The Perfect Mai Tai

Found at: (www.allrecipes.com)

Perfect Mai Tai Ingredients:

2 c. light rum

1c. dark rum

1c. almond flavored syrup

1 c. 151 proof rum

1c. orange curacao (orange flavored liqueur)

1c. simple syrup

10 limes, juiced

½ gallon fresh orange juice

Perfect Mai Tai Instructions:

In a large jar or drink cooler, combine the light rum, dark rum, 151 rum, orange liqueur, almond syrup, simple syrup, and lime juice. Stir and top off with orange juice. Do not use grenadine if you want the true Mai Tai! Serve in 8 to 12 ounce glasses with ice.

Makes 32 servings (My kind of recipe!)