Sparkling Pineapple Rum Cocktail

I used to be the girl who preferred the shadows. I drew comfort from the anonymity, from the lack of attention, from the invisibility cloak I chose to wear around my shoulders. I shied away from conversations, preferring to observe rather than participate. While I often wished I could be the boisterous and reactive one in the room, it was enough for me to simply watch them. As an observer in the shadows, I learned of the nature of those around me. I pinpointed those who filled the lulls in conversation, afraid of the silence, afraid to be left with the sound of their thoughts. I identified with those who were quiet just as myself, knowing their minds were buzzing with unsaid thoughts and opinions.

Then one day I stepped out into the light.

It is hard to say when or why it happened. I certainly did not anticipate it coming. While debating dinner plans with friends, I noticed a quiet girl nearby listening, wearing the cloak of shadows I knew so well. I had seen her before, here and there, as we went about our days. This time, however, I felt an unfamiliar pull to talk to her, to invite her to join our dinner plans. And so I did. And so did she. I may never be the boisterous one in the room, but I am no longer afraid to expand my comfort zone to include new people and situations.

While I still retreat to the shadows now and then, I find the light brings a certain warmth.

In some ways, this cocktail reminds me of an unnoticed person, hiding in the shadows. It is not flashy or showy. It does not sparkle in the light like a glass of white wine or feature hundreds of fizzing bubbles like a flute of champagne. It does not have layers like a rainbow or feature bright, bold colors. It is a simple drink. A subtle drink. Pale yellow and opaque, it may not seem like much to the unaided eye.

To give it a hard look, to take a sip, opens your eyes to something you may not have considered before. You may even find it beautiful.

Sparkling Pineapple Rum Cocktail is a balanced, fizzy cocktail. Pineapple juice and ginger ale come together, effortlessly mixing together the sweetness of the soda and the tartness of the juice. With a shot (or two) of dark rum thrown in the mix, the cocktail can hold its ground. When I had my first sip, I was pleasantly surprised. The bright flavor drew me in and it truly felt like something special.

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Grapefruit Soda... or Cocktail?

Grapefruit was a "new food" discovery for me this year. It's truly a shame I've gone twenty-three years of my life without enjoying the tartness of a ripe grapefruit, but at least this matter has been remedied. Now I can't leave the grocery store without a few of these in tow. I can often be spotted in the kitchen with a small spoon in hand, digging into a grapefruit, and spraying juice on everything in a two foot vicinity.

No one warned me I'd need to shower after breakfast.

Invariably, when you eat enough grapefruits, the wheels begin spinning on what you can create with them (or maybe that's just me). When the idea to make grapefruit soda popped into my head, I actually thought it was an original idea. A true inspiration sent down from the grapefruit gods. After excitedly going on about it to my boyfriend, he casually pointed out that grapefruit soda has existed since the dawn of soda's time.

Apparently I'm not as well versed in soda as I thought.

Despite this disheartening news, I set out to make my own version of grapefruit soda regardless. Using the juice from a couple grapefruits and a lemon, I combined it with lemon-lime soda to add fizz and balance out the tartness of the citrus. Oh, is it dreamy. After a long day at work, I added a shot of vodka to the mix and it turned the simple grapefruit soda into a fun cocktail.

It's light, just tart, and lip-smackingly refreshing.

This grapefruit soda is simple to make, but produces a result that outshines anything from a can. The grapefruit flavor is lovely and pronounced, with the lemon to add just the right zing. It can be kept as a soda to share with children during sunny afternoons or made into a brilliant cocktail to enjoy as the sun begins to set. Garnish with lemon slices and ice for a drink that tastes of a cool breeze.

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Tropical Vacation Cocktail

This summer I decided to take a break from working full-time in the kitchen and find a job where I could spend a little more time outside in the bright sunshine. I love the kitchen, but I'm still young and not yet tied down by that scary beast called a career. I've decided the kitchen can wait a few more months so I can have a little fun; it isn't going anywhere. But the warmer weather and summer breeze is something that will fade all too quickly.

My wish was granted and I was hired as a day camp counselor for the summer. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. I spend my days outside working with dozens of elementary aged children. This is the type of camp where television is strictly forbidden and "rain" is a 4-letter word. I love my job. Where else am I going to get paid to hike, swim, play games, and do arts and crafts?

Exactly.

While my days are usually a blast, a few moments sneak in there that test my patience. When one of the campers is having a rough day, a mini meltdown or two is to be expected. But when everyone is having a rough day at exactly the same time? Well, that only leads to trouble. Big trouble.

I had a bad day yesterday. A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It was the sort of day where I was so frustrated, so furious, so emotionally drained from conflict after conflict after conflict, that I wished I could be put in time out just so I could have a moment's peace. It was the kind of day where I had to be reassured more than once that all children weren't terrible little monsters with sharp teeth and a good set of lungs.

It was the exactly the sort of day where the only thing that could possibly make it seem a little brighter was a cocktail.

So cheers to you, my friend, for the arrival of a much needed weekend, for cocktails, and the dreams of tropical vacations (even if they are only in your glass).

This Pineapple Coconut Rum Cocktail is like taking a mini-tropical vacation. If you close your eyes, lean back in your chair, and take a sip, you can almost smell the salty sea breeze and feel the sand between your toes. This cocktail combines pineapple juice, coconut rum, and a splash of triple sec to give it a tropical flair. The drink does not taste particularly strong, but it is deliciously fruity and gets the job done. Garnish with fresh fruit and serve in chilled glasses to make it extra special.

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