Pumpkin and Pineapple Cocktail

Alright, you probably think I'm a bit of a nutter for suggesting pumpkin plus pineapple. Maybe even for suggesting pumpkin be consumed outside it's traditional fall season.  Well, give me a chance!

It's spring, that transition between dreary winter and sultry summer.  So we need an app a drink for that (obviously).  And the Pumpkin and Pineapple Cocktail is just the ticket. It's got the warmth of spices, the slightest molasses note of dark rum, and the comforting depth of pumpkin puree.  Then a little something extra comes to the party in the form of pineapple, transporting you to sunnier days and a cabana on the beach.  In other words, pumpkin + spices are lightened up and taken to a whole new realm by tropical pineapple....and the tropical pineapple is likewise altered by the earthy flavors of pumpkin + spices, which prevent it from turning into a sickly sweet bomb.

As you're sipping this cocktail, you might find yourself thinking Woah. What is that? I need another taste... And another... Okay, I like this. I really like this.  Must. Have. More.   At least that's what I did, because the flavors were so unexpected yet so fun and delicious.  Give non-fall pumpkin and unexpected flavor combinations a chance!

Pumpkin Pineapple Cocktail

from Cookie + Kate

Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients:

7 oz. pineapple juice

3 tbsp. pumpkin puree

1 tsp. honey (add more or less to taste)

1 large lemon, juiced

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

dash nutmeg (freshly grated for the best flavor)

dash allspice or cloves

3 oz. dark rum (not spiced...dark rum, like Mrs. Meyers or Gosling's)

Preparation:

Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend well.  Into two glasses, pour over ice and, if you're feeling fancy, garnish with a dash of cinnamon on top. Cheers!

It's an unusual pairing, pumpkin and pineapple, so I have to admit, I was a bit nervous this might not be something I wanted to finish drinking (the horror!). But each sip was delicious! I was intrigued by how the slightest hint of molasses from the dark rum and the spices brought two very disparate players together.  I  loved trying a combination fresh and new to me, so much so that I couldn't put my glass down!

And if you're thinking pumpkin should only be consumed in the fall, I strongly disagree.  Make some pumpkin waffles/pancakes or a pumpkin milkshake (bonus for adding pumpkin cream liquor). Stir some pumpkin puree into your smoothie or  your yogurt.  It is so good and it should be seen more outside of fall!