Peach Cosmopolitan

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, it is with great excitement that I’m heading back to the Caribbean this year on Carnival Cruise Line. Over the past four years, I’ve had the opportunity to sail the seas a half dozen times, and I enjoy the experience more each time.

Inspired by my upcoming fun adventure on the sea, I thought I’d share another cocktail recipe from one of my favorite places on the ship, the Alchemy Bar.

In case you’re not aware, the Alchemy Bar is a unique place on the Carnival 2.0 cruise ships. The bar is a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” with elixirs to “cure what ails you.” The menu (with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options) is extra special in that it only includes handcrafted cocktails (no beer or soda), using fresh fruit and herbs. The Alchemy Bar serves my favorite martini, the Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini, which I showed you how to make a couple years ago. Inspired by the Alchemy Bar, (and Valentine’s Day which is just around the corner), I thought I’d try a new-to-me cocktail from their menu, the Curative Peach Cosmopolitan.

Since the day I turned 21, I’ve been a fan of a classic cosmo, and I often order it as a pre-dinner cocktail. Not only do I like the flavor, but there’s something about sipping a pink martini that makes a guy or gal feel important. Last year, I shared the Carnival Cosmo (Carnival’s unique twist on a classic cosmopolitan recipe), so I thought this time we’d try the peach variety.

Now, I’ve never had this drink on the ship, so I created my own recipe based on a few of their ingredients. It might not be an exact duplicate, but I’ll be sure to sample one on my cruise and report back to you.

The base of the cocktail is typical of a classic cosmopolitan, but with a few key substitutions.

Instead of traditional vodka, I used peach vodka. I also substituted peach schnapps for the orange liqueur.

Typically, a cosmopolitan would be finished off with a lime. However, for this recipe, I opted for a blood orange. Not only does the color of the juice match the cocktail perfectly, but I felt the blood orange lent itself to the pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar.

Add all of those ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Then shake it up vigorously and pour out a delicious and fruity libation.
Cheers!

Peach Cosmopolitan
makes one martini

Here’s what you will need:

• 3 ounces of peach vodka
• 1 ounce peach schnapps
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• Wedge of blood orange, juiced
• Slice of peach and slice of blood orange to garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the peach vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and juice from a blood orange wedge. Shake vigorously. Then strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of peach and blood orange.

This martini tastes as good as it looks. I love peaches, so the extra sweet fruitiness in this cocktail is perfect.

And while subtle, I also think the addition of blood orange in here is sublime. It makes this martini taste as special as it looks.

So whether you’re celebrating a vacation, Valentine’s Day, or another day of life, this Peach Cosmopolitan is a winner! Cheers!