I don’t know why, but my back is killing me. Not a muscle pull but spasms that dash up and down when I twist, reach, or just move.
I was trying to make a Banana Daiquiri, but the rum was one shelf too high and I could not easily get to that bottle. I could not get to that bottle, period. However, the pisco was right in front of me. And so, this lovely drink was born.
I did make multiple adjustments to the classic daiquiri recipe. There is pisco instead of rum. And simple syrup instead of raw sugar, and in a larger quantity. Mandarin Napoleon replaced the traditional Triple Sec.
The result of all these modifications? Something banana, of course, and something whose flavor I really, really like with its different component flavors. The Mandarin Napoleon liqueur offers a strong orange tone that can bounce against the lime and yet easily merges with the banana. And yet, there is no dominant flavor with these proportions and I find this “flavor mystery” to be a true adventure.
I wanted my banana drink. A real one. Not one using banana liqueur, but one incorporating a real banana. Why? Well, a banana that has spent a few moments in a Vitamix produces a beverage with a lovely texture. This is not a milkshake, no milk for one reason, but it has that smoothness that oozes satisfaction. Every sip has substance. It’s not a simple liquid. It’s a bit of a meal.
Oh, a couple of these and you smile and the spasms go away. Or, at the least, you don’t notice.
Brian’s Back Spasm Banana Backup
Yield: 2 seriously large cocktails
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Mandarin Napoleon orange liqueur
- 2 ounces pisco
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Juice of one lime
- 1 medium size banana, peeled and cut into a few chunks
- 6-8 ice cubes
Preparation:
Put everything in a blender [better a Vitamix] and process until very smooth. Don’t add too much ice or you’ll have issues with “pourability.”
Pour into a tall cocktail glass.
Garnish, if you wish, with some slices of banana.