Aloha to a sunny new day!

Wow, what a season this was! Now that we're all, finally, on the other side of the holidays and the new year has decided to stick around (sometimes on New Year's Day I'm not sure!), it's finally back to the chance to blog, and share some awesome new things with you. First of all, I'd like to share with you a new cocktail that I created on the eve of my departure from Forbidden Island (more on that below) called Chega de Saudade. The tune is one of my all time favorites, with its haunting sadness, and is widely held as the first Bossa Nova tune. The cocktail features the Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal (this mezcal has some agave syrup added back into it and so has just a touch of sweetness) with blood orange, and a hint of truffle salt - it was haunting in its own wonderful way; rich, savory, with that sweet mezcal smoke and yet dancing and effervescent, and I'd love to share the recipe with you, so here you go:

Chega de Saudade (Suzanne Long)

1/2 oz Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal
1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
1/2 oz Blood Orange Reduction (or organic concentrate)
approximately 4 oz brut champagne or sparkling wine
slice of blood orange
Truffle Salt (Selezione Tartufi Sale con Tartufo 10%)

Place Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal, Lillet Blanc and the blood orange reduction in a shaker and shake with cubed ice. Strain into champagne flute that has been half rimmed with truffle salt. Slowly top with brut sparkling wine and garnish with a slice of blood orange.

In regard to Forbidden Island, it has been a wonderful adventure, and I was pleased to spend nearly three years behind the bamboo stick there. In the sea of rum, limes, pineapples and glorious aloha, I don't regret a single moment, and will cherish all of those memories for a lifetime. However, I've got a VERY exciting adventure ahead of me, and each and every one of you will want to keep track of me in the coming months, so remember to swing by here or follow me on Twitter (@rumnpineapple and @spindriftsuz) for all of the updates on my latest project.

I'M not going anywhere - so don't worry! If anything, you'll be seeing and hearing a lot more from me!

I'll see YOU there - EVERYWHERE!

Suzanne