San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO

♫ For those who come to San Francisco

Summer will be a love-in there ♪

- Scott McKenzie, San Francisco,  1967

Summertime is here meaning only one thing. Summery, colorful and fruity cocktails! A true classic from a few decades past here is the San Francisco. Easily made and enjoyed with sheer happiness!

• 2 cl vodka
• 2 cl cremé de bananes
• orange juice
• 1 cl grenadine

In a high ball glass, build up the ingredients in the given order and finally pour the grenadine (slowly) on the drink creating given effect. Garnish with e.g. a strawberry, orange slice/wedge, lemon, cherry or any combination of those mentioned. Pop a straw in that drink and avot!

Looks pretty much like the Tequila Sunrise but tastes completely different. A solid good fruity combo this is! Easily picked up the banana flavors. I must admit though, I used orange-mango juice but that didn't slow me down! Tasted still excellent.

Firebird

FIREBIRD

Continuing our cocktail experiences, I present you with the Firebird:

•  2 cl tequila (white)
•  2 cl créme de bananes
•  2 cl lemon juice
•  4 cl lemonade (sprite/7up)

Shake the first three ingredients with plenty of ice, strain into a tumbler filled with a few ice cubes and add the lemonade. No garnish needed!

All in all, this cocktail tasted kind of funky. The combination of banana liquor and tequila does work! The fizzyness of the lemonade gave this drink a nice mouth-feel as well.

If you haven't had one of these birds before, go ahead and try one! NOW!

Smiley Face

SMILEY FACE

Another amazing shot! You have probably noticed how many of the shots I have shown are layered. That is because I like making ones! I get many good flavors in one glass, what's there not to like?!

Anyhow, here's how it's done:

• 2 cl of Kahlúa
• 2 cl créme de bananes
• 1-2 cl of fresh cream

Layer the ingredients and shoot! Tastes just as it should; a creamy coffee-banana mix at your service! The Kahlúa is a tad dominating but in my opinion it doesn't hurt the cocktail per se. I liked it.

Colt Cruiser

Colt Cruiser

Another cocktail I truly enjoyed. The Colt Cruiser is easy to make and tastes rather sweet. In addition, one wouldn't think the ingredients for this drink would work so well together! Here we go:

• 2cl rum (white)
• 1cl amaretto
• 1cl creme de bananes
• 2cl lemon juice
• 12cl lemonade

Shake the four first ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a high ball glass with ice. Top the mixture with lemonade according to taste. You could garnish the drink with one or two maraschino cherries. I added a dangling rind of orange as well.

As said, this is a surprisingly excellent choice for any occasion. Highly recommended!