Banana Lime Collins

Get ready for St. Patrick's Day! The Banana Lime Collins is exactly like it sounds, simple, approachable, and very refreshing. It's even a little bit green (natural colors of course) to make it festive.

I really like how such a simple change to a classic cocktail can come across as exotic. The whiskey-based John Collins is a refreshing way to enjoy your Irish whiskey. MurLarkey banana whiskey is an Irish-American treat made with an infusion of real bananas in white whiskey. It goes great with lime juice, so I opted for that over the traditional lemon. Then a lime wedge and a green maraschino cherry looked like a fitting garnish. It may not be spring yet according to the official calendar, but this drink will make you feel like the sun has come out.

• 2 oz. MurLarkey banana whiskey
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 1 tsp. sugar
• sparkling water
• maraschino cherry
• lime wedge

Combine whiskey, juice and sugar in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass full of fresh ice and top with sparkling water (I used lime flavored soda here for even more intense fruit flavor.) Garnish with cherry (green if you have it) and lime wedge.