Toucan Ben - a cocktail recipe by Michelle Hartsell Cocktail Engineer

If you've read enough of this blog's posts, then you know that I prefer to create cocktails that are served chilled but without ice.  This is because it preserves the flavor of the drink while you sip. My husband Ben came up with this one and served it to me one Friday evening after I got home from work - what a nice tropical surprise!  I really love it because it has the flavor of a pina colada but without as many calories.  Now if only I were enjoying this somewhere in the Caribbean...

Here's the recipe (makes 2 cocktails):

6 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice

4 oz pineapple rum
2 oz coconut rum (I recommend Malibu or Parrot Bay)
and a good squeeze of agave nectar

Shake or stir over ice and strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with a lime or pineapple wedge.

Cheers and Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

A match made in cocktail heaven:

The Korean Magpie - a cocktail recipe by Michelle Hartsell Cocktail Engineer

This cocktail is dedicated to my friends and work colleagues in South Korea that I had the pleasure of meeting in person just last month.  I enjoyed the fantastic Korean food, wonderful hospitality, and discovered a new Korean beer called "Kloud" that I also really enjoyed.  In the small amount of time I had there when not working, I took this picture of a Korean Magpie (it's small, you call find better pictures on the web) at the World Heritage Site Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty not too far from the Intercontinental Coex in Seoul (a hotel I can highly recommend - the staff are incomparable).  I hope you enjoy this refreshing cocktail.


Here's the recipe:
2 oz. of gin (I used Bombay Sapphire)
1 oz. of Violette (Violet flower liqueur)
1 oz. of fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a cocktail glass.
Add a splash of cold tonic water (I used Fever-tree brand naturally light)
Garnish with:
a lemon twist and a sprig of lavender flower

May this cocktail bring you good luck and fortune, just like the Korean Magpie.  

I'm looking forward to my next visit to South Korea!