Coronado

This tropical cocktail is all about cherry, tropical scents and garnishes. It looks like a rocks sipper and a tiki cocktail rolled into one.

I wanted to choose spirits that did the drink justice to Coronado's tiki roots. First I used real kirschwasser over cherry brandy or liqueur because it tastes exotic and boozy. The small amount in this drink is noticeable and does not change the color like a cherry brandy would.

The other thing I did was use America's only molasses based gin, Vitae Modern Gin. I also threw in Vitae orange liqueur where the recipe calls for Curacao because it is also rum based like a Curacao and very dry. I figured that the pineapple juice was all the sweetness this drink needed and I was right. People don't like sugary tropical drinks anymore, for good reason. The Coronado is reclaiming tropical drinks when made this way.

• 2 oz. gin (Vitae modern gin used)
• 1/2 oz. white Curacao (Vitae orange liqueur used)
• 2 oz. pineapple juice
• 3-5 dashes kirschwasser
• maraschino cherry

Combine all ingredients except cherry in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass full of fresh ice. Garnish with the cherry.