Nature provides the perfect vessels for adventurous tropical tipples

Adventure.  Wanderlust.  The soul searching desire to explore the vast world oceans, scale the tallest mountain peaks, and luxuriate on the most remote tropical isles.  Perhaps you're not quite ready give your job the old heave-ho and start swabbing the deck of your quaint circumnavigational vessel, but you can sedate the sirens of the horizon with these adventurous tropical tipples.  Go ahead, begin planning your next expedition with a drink in your hand.  It's the most civilized way to start.

Queen of the Night Punch

This cocktail features delicious and dramatic looking Dragon Fruit, which starts as a breathtaking cactus flower that blooms once, at night, and then wilts and allows the fruit to mature.  The majestic bloom is deserving of her royal crown and title.

QUEEN OF THE NIGHT PUNCH

3 oz Dragon Fruit Pulp
2 oz Rhum Neisson Élevé Sous Bois
0.5 oz Muscovado Simple Syrup
0.5 oz Lime Juice
crushed ice

Scoop the soft flesh of the Dragon Fruit out of the shell.  Blend the scooped out flesh gently until it is pourable but avoiding excessive crushing of the seeds (a small amount is fine).  Add 3 oz of the puree to the other ingredients and shake with cubed ice.  Strain and pour into the shelled fruit half filled with crushed ice.  Garnish with fresh flowers and candied ginger.

Zimbabwe Cup, a delicacy for Southern Rhodesians of the 1920s, and the rest of us too.

ZIMBABWE CUP

1.5 oz Hendricks Gin
0.5 oz Clement Creole Shrubb
0.5 oz Ginger Syrup
1 oz Carpano Antica
2 oz Soda Water
Horned Melon Ice Cubes
Cucumber, fresh mint, borage, sliced lemon wheels, sliced lime wheels, sliced orange wheels, starfruit, for garnish

Shake all ingredients except Horned Melon ice cubes, soda, and other garnish with ice.  Pour into hollowed out horned melon.  Add melon ice cubes and various garnish and top with soda.  Serve with straws.

Enjoy these adventurous tipples!  I'll see YOU there!

-- Suzanne