Pineapple Vanilla Bean Martini
This Pineapple Vanilla Bean Martini is not your average martini. It’s exceptionally boozy (made with rum, not vodka), perfectly sweet, and spiked with vanilla bean simple syrup. To keep your guests on their toes, I’ve added a touch of St. Germain elderflower liqueur.
My mom sent me a text last week with a picture of a Thirty One bag that she was thinking about purchasing.
Okay, cool. The bag was cute enough. Not my style, but she liked it.
A few minutes later, I receive another text. She wants to have the bag personalized. “You’re good with words,” she tells me.
All right, yeah. I’ll think of something. All the while I’m thinking, “Me…good with words?” Sure, I’m a writer, but I’m no show pony.
I ask her what it is she’s going to do with the bag, in which she responds, “Put stuff in it and take it places.” Oy!
*hand to forehead*
Okay, that narrows it down. Thanks, mom!
After a lengthly back and forth conversation about which phrase to sew on the damn bag, I finally come up with “Cheryl’s Fun Bag.” Mind you, my mom is fairly busty. If you put two and two together, “Cheryl’s Fun Bag” is basically a funny, but slightly dirty joke.
I honestly thought she would get it… I really did. Instead, the joke went right over her head, and she placed the order with the Thirty One consultant.
That evening, we’re sitting in her living room discussing the bag, and she tells me that she placed the order. Um, you did what?
Would everyone have gotten the joke? Probably not. Would the right people have gotten the joke? Absolutely! Considering she hangs out with all the right people, I felt like it was my responsibility–after all, I did come up with the idea–to save her from herself.
“Mom, think about the phrase, ‘Cheryl’s. Fun. Bag.’ Get it?”
The look of recognition that came over her face was priceless.
I definitely don’t win daughter of the year award. Oh well, that shit was funny.
Instead of canceling the order right then and there, she asked me if people would get the joke. Right after she asked the question, my brother walks through the front door. “Hey, Mike, what comes to mind when you hear the phrase ‘Cheryl’s Fun Bag?'” To which he IMMEDIATELY responds, “Boobs!”
Ha!
What does this story have to do with this Pineapple Vanilla Bean Martini? Not a damn thing. We happened to be testing out the recipe the evening of this conversation, so I felt it was only right to share the story with you guys.
A few months ago, I discovered just how delicious vanilla bean is when it’s added to a cocktail. This Vanilla Tangerine Martini is proof, so I wanted to try my hand at creating another cocktail that incorporates the fragrant flavor.
This isn’t your average martini. Rather than using vodka, I reached for pineapple and coconut rum instead. To help balance out the tropical notes, I added a touch of elderflower liqueur. Its bright and fragrant floral notes is the very reason I love this cocktail with all my heart.
You’ll love it too!
Pineapple Vanilla Bean Martini
Ingredients:
Martini
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- 2 ounces pinepple rum
- 2 and 1/2 ounces St. Germain
- 3/4 ounce vanilla bean simple syrup
Vanilla Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 vanilla bean
Directions:
- To make the simple syrup, add water and sugar to a small saucepan. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise down the middle. Run your knife down the length of the vanilla bean to remove the seeds. Add the seeds and bean pod to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to come to room temperature. Transfer to a mason jar and refrigerate for up to 3 months.
- Place all of the ingredients in a pitcher. Stir to combine.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the martini mixture and give the shaker several vigorous shakes. Transfer to a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and sprig of mint.