Piña Verde
Green Chartreuse gives this modern Piña Colada a herbal kick that cuts through the rich coconut.
Ingredients
- Green Chartreuse, green, not yellow45 ml
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed15 ml
- Pineapple juice, ideally half fresh, half good bottled45 ml
- Coconut cream, shake well before use22.5 ml
- Mint, lightly slapped, to garnish (optional)1 sprig
- Pineapple, a pineapple leaf, to garnish (optional)1 leaf
Method
- Shake the tin of coconut cream well so the texture is even.
- Add the green Chartreuse, pineapple juice, coconut cream and lime juice to a shaker.
- Add a good scoop of crushed ice and shake hard for about 10 seconds for a light, creamy texture.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice; double strain for an extra silky drink if you like.
- Garnish generously with fresh mint and pineapple leaves.
Credit Erick Castro, Polite Provisions, San Diego
About this drink
The Piña Verde was created by bartender Erick Castro as a fresh rethink of the Piña Colada, with the rum replaced by the intense herbal depth of green Chartreuse. The French liqueur, made by Carthusian monks since the 1700s, meets Caribbean pineapple and coconut in an unlikely but winning pairing. The result is less sweet and far more layered than its tropical ancestor.
Questions and answers
What is a Piña Verde?
A green, herbal twist on the tiki style, where green Chartreuse replaces the rum. The result is a more bitter, complex cousin of the Piña Colada.
Can I add rum to a Piña Verde?
A little white rum can soften the Chartreuse if you find it too intense, but it moves the drink away from its clean, Chartreuse-led idea.
