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I don’t know why, but my back is killing me. Not a muscle pull but spasms that dash up and down when I twist, reach, or just move.

I was trying to make a Banana Daiquiri, but the rum was one shelf too high and I could not easily get to that bottle. I could not get to that bottle, period. However, the pisco was right in front of me. And so, this lovely drink was born.

I did make multiple adjustments to the classic daiquiri recipe. There is pisco instead of rum. And simple syrup instead of raw sugar, and in a larger quantity. Mandarin Napoleon replaced the traditional Triple Sec.

The result of all these modifications? Something banana, of course, and something whose flavor I really, really like with its different component flavors. The Mandarin Napoleon liqueur offers a strong orange tone that can bounce against the lime and yet easily merges with the banana. And yet, there is no dominant flavor with these proportions and I find this “flavor mystery” to be a true adventure.

I wanted my banana drink. A real one. Not one using banana liqueur, but one incorporating a real banana. Why? Well, a banana that has spent a few moments in a Vitamix produces a beverage with a lovely texture. This is not a milkshake, no milk for one reason, but it has that smoothness that oozes satisfaction. Every sip has substance. It’s not a simple liquid. It’s a bit of a meal.

Oh, a couple of these and you smile and the spasms go away. Or, at the least, you don’t notice.

Brian’s Back Spasm Banana Backup

Yield: 2 seriously large cocktails

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce Mandarin Napoleon orange liqueur
  • 2 ounces pisco
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 medium size banana, peeled and cut into a few chunks
  • 6-8 ice cubes

Preparation:

Put everything in a blender [better a Vitamix] and process until very smooth. Don’t add too much ice or you’ll have issues with “pourability.”

Pour into a tall cocktail glass.

Garnish, if you wish, with some slices of banana.

Source: Brian O’Rourke

Photo Information: Canon T2i, EFS 18-55mm Macro Lens, F/2.8 for 1/50h second at ISO 3200