Sherry Colada

Sherry Colada by Caitlin Laman

An end of year toast is clearly in order as well now, and obviously must include pineapple! The classic pineapple cocktail, without a doubt, is the Pina Colada.

Like any true and proper classic cocktail, the origins are murky and disputed.

Some say the drink was invented by the pirate Roberto Cofresi, a Robin Hood like criminal and hero from Puerto Rico in the early nineteenth century.

Others give credit to Ramon Monchito Marrero, a bartender at the Caribe Hilton Puerto Rico in 1954 (shortly after the invention of Coco Lopez, a critical ingredient in the modern version of the drink).

Then there is Don Ramos Portas Mingot in 1963 at Barrachina, another restaurant in Puerto Rico.

One thing is certainly clear, the drink is from Puerto Rico, and it became the country’s national drink in 1978.

Amontillado sherry gives this classic a new spin

I’m offering this modern twist to the classic (in a nod this pineapple's twist) from award winning mixologist Caitlin Laman of Chicago’s Ace Hotel.

She brings the drink back in time by swapping most of the typical rum for sherry, which was wildly popular in the days of Dickens and has had a resurgence again as of late.

It adds a robust nuttiness to the drink and turns something too familiar into something fresh and new again.

Let’s approach the new year like this, with fresh new ideas which open our eyes to new perspectives and let us see things in new ways.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and welcoming new year.

Cheers!

A welcome pair indeed

Sherry Colada by Caitlin Laman

1 ½ oz Amontillado sherry

½ oz aged rum

1 oz coconut syrup

½ oz fresh pineapple juice

¼ oz fresh lime juice

Shake ingredients together with ice and double strain into a favorite glass.

Garnish with citrus zest.