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Recently I was introduced to peony jam and it got me thinking about all the other ways I could incorporate peonies into recipes. They smell incredible, so they must add some of that magic to food right? Coincidentally I was working on a tropical drink post when the idea came to me: peony coladas. I effectively combined my love for peonies, tropical cocktails and puns into one amazing recipe. These drinks taste delectable: like a piña colada with a subtle scent of peony. Follow along for the recipe and then celebrate National Piña Colada Day with a half shell of boozy, flowery goodness.
Ingredients:
for the cocktail:
— 1 coconut split in half (used for serving)
— 1 shot coconut rum
— 1/2 shot simple syrup
— 1 1/2 Tablespoons coconut cream
— 3/4 cup pineapple coconut juice (or just pineapple juice)
— ice
for the simple syrup:
— petals from one small peony
— 1 cup sugar
— 1 cup water
— lemon zest from one lemon
Instructions:
1. Begin with the simple syrup. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves. Pour mixture into a jar and add lemon rind and peony petals. Allow syrup to sit for at least one hour to infuse flavors.
2. Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
3. Break the coconut in half by hitting it with a hammer and following along the natural break. Pour the beverage into half of your coconut shell, using it as a cup. Decorate with umbrellas, straws and peonies.
You can make this syrup ahead of time and use it in all kinds of recipes. It’ll give everything a hint of lemon and the essence of peony.
Quadruple the recipe to make enough for your buddies.
Before you serve up drinks, do a taste test and add anything else it needs to make it taste just the way you like.
If you like peony coladas…
And gettin’ caught in the rain…
If you’re not into yoga…
If you have half a brain.
Like this cocktail? Check out our Summer Cocktail Roundup for more recipes and inspo!
