Packs A Punch: Summer Cocktail Week 12 (Adam & Michelle)

Packs A Punch

This started as a twist on a Mai Tai, evolved into a version of Rum Punch and then morphed into a souped-up Sangria.  Regardless of its lineage, the bottom line here is that "Packs A Punch" is potentially the healthiest drink you'll enjoy all week.  The dietitian across the table from me might disagree but I would argue there are more fruit servings in one drink than I normally consume in a week.  We maximized our rum theme by including not 1, not 2, not even 3, but 4 different kinds of rum between the cocktail and food pairing.

Cocktail Ingredients:
Black Cherry Rum (used Cruzan)
Bacardi 151
Dark Rum (used Myers's)
Pineapple Juice
Orange
Lime
Pineapple
Nectarine
Green Apple (used Granny Smith)
Starfruit

Several hours before serving, pour pineapple juice into an ice cube tray (we used a rubber tray that makes X shapes) and freeze.  Using frozen juice instead of ice cubes avoids watering down the drink as it melts.  In a goblet add a couple frozen pineapple juice cubes, a slice of lime, pineapple chunks, a slice of nectarine, a slice of orange and a couple slices of green apple (they turned out to be our favorite fruit).  In a separate bowl (or bottom of a hand juicer) combine the juice of half an orange, the juice of half a lime, 1 oz of pineapple juice, 1.5 oz of black cherry rum (1 jigger), 2/3 oz of 151 and dark rum to taste (used about 2/3 oz).  Give it a little stir and pour over the fruit in the goblet.  Garnish with a slice of starfruit.

Food Pairing: Mojito Marinaded Shrimp

In a large baggie combine 1/4 cup Bacardi light rum, a handful of chopped mint leaves, zest of 1 lime, juice of 1 lime, 2 Tbsp kosher salt, 1/3 cup sugar, seal and shake until the salt and sugar dissolve.  Add jumbo shrimp, seal and refrigerate for 20 minutes.  Don't over-marinade the shrimp or the lime juice will start to cook them and you'll end up with ceviche.  Grill the shrimp over medium-high heat for a couple minutes on each side until pink and cooked through.  The salty mint and lime flavor goes great with the sweetness of a Packs A Punch!