PIÑATA

PIÑATA

2 parts Licor 43

1 part Stoli Gold or other vodka

3 parts pineapple juice

Orange slice for garnish

Piñatas, those Mexican candy-filled paper mache animals, are a great way to liven up any party. Turns outs there's a cocktail to go along with the beating of an animal with a stick. It's called the PIÑATA. To make it, I put the ingredients listed above into a cocktail shaker, added ice, shook it well and strained it over ice into a tall glass. I garnished with a slice of orange.

Though Thanksgiving Eve has nothing to do with Mexico, it's usually a party nonetheless, and for me, the PIÑATA was a perfect way to start the evening. It was delicious -- fruity, but not overly sweet. As anyone whose gotten drunk on a beach with an umbrella drink knows, pineapple covers up all taste of alcohol, and that is true with the PIÑATA as well. The vanilla-flavored Licor 43 was barely there, and the vodka cut the citrus of the juice just right. Hubby thought it was too sweet, until he added more vodka, took one sip and said, "Now that's a drink!"

Like me, friend Billy loved the cocktail just the way it was. He paired it with a Monte Crisco #2 cigar from Havana, and felt like he was in Cuba. Wherever you are this holiday weekend, make it better with a PIÑATA.
Drink Up^
Cocktail Connie