I started this cocktail "season" with the goal to use some of the spirits that have accumulated in the cupboard that have been haunting me. One of those is Jagermeister. Last fall we did a river cruise from the Netherlands through Germany, Austria and we ended in Budapest. On that trip a German glass blower, Karl Ittig from Wertheim, joined us for an entertaining demonstration of his craft. As a bonus the demonstration included a lesson in the medicinal benefits of Jagermeister. Karl apparently takes a shot every morning and doesn't get sick. He does not agree with the Jager bombs (a shot glass of  Jagermeister dropped in to a cup of Red Bull) - popular among a younger demographic.

Jagermeister is made from 56 botanicals and does kind of taste like a strong cough syrup. We haven't adopted the "shot every morning to keep the doctor away" routine so the Jagermeister sits in the cupboard. Until today!

Today, I made the Surfer on Acid. It is a simple recipe of equal parts Jagermeister, coconut rum and pineapple juice on ice. 

It has a sweet, botanical flavour. James said it kind of reminded him of rootbeer. I found it a little too sweet. It might be better with a splash of soda water. 
​
Cocktail Scale (out of 5*)
James 4.0*
Mellissa 3.5*

Ingredients:
1 oz Jagermeister
1oz Coconut Rum
1 oz Pineapple Juice

Pour ingredients over ice and stir. 

If you are interested about our river cruise, you can find my blog about it here 

I was perusing the aisles of the Italian Centre Shop and came across Great Jamaican Spicy Pineapple. I was intrigued so I bought it. My next task was to figure out what to do with it. I found the Spicy Spritz recipe on The Great Jamaican website. 

I followed the recipe as per the website except for the grapefruit slice - I am not a fan of grapefruit. We loved this drink. It is really refreshing and would be great for a sunny day - if we ever get one. 

Cocktail Scale out of 5*
Val 5*
James 5*
Mellissa 5*

Ingredients
1 oz Aperol
0.5 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 oz Spicy Pineapple
2 oz Sparkling Wine

In a cup filled with ice mix Aperol and and lemon juice. Pour in sparkling wine and Spicy Pineapple. 

We used all the Aperol so I will need to replenish my stock.