So there’s been a bit of a lull with my cocktail recipe posting– again, I blame it on the weather.  Oh, how it affects my moods.  I thought my corner of the world here in eastern PA was beyond snowstorm weather this winter, but unless you live in a cave, you’ve no doubt heard about the monster storm that hit the East Coast this week.  We got about 6-8 inches of snow, which isn’t catastrophic, but the snow turned into sleet, which froze and coated everything with a lovely layer of ice.  And this ALL happened in March.  The MIDDLE of March.   

This event wouldn’t have been nearly as noteworthy if we hadn’t just enjoyed the warmest February on record, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s almost all month.  We thought winter was safely behind us.  But alas, Mother Nature is one nasty wench and decided to throw us a curve ball.  The roads may have been cleared, but there is still a crap-ton of the white stuff on the ground and it is downright frigid and miserable here. 

Every time I start grousing about the weather, I end the conversation with myself with the old adage, “There’s not a thing we can do about it.”  Let me just tell you all, I am tired of telling myself this.  I am ready for warm breezes and the vibrant daffodils and tulips that signal the beginning of spring.  

But until the snow melts and the flowers start blooming, we may as well have a drink or two.  We have legitimate reason number one this week, St. Patrick’s Day is on Friday this year.  And legitimate reason number two, March Madness will be in full swing.  This convergence of two drink-worthy events on the same day will make going out a guaranteed good time.   

Of course there’s nothing wrong with concocting the Lucky Charm at home, donning your favorite green attire and firing up the big screen to watch game after game of college basketball.  If you think about all the cops that will be looking to arrest obnoxious drunk leprechauns, imbibing at home is a good decision.  And who knows, maybe this drink will be the talisman to help you win your bracket pool! 

The Lucky Charm

1 ounce Malibu rum

1 ounce Midori melon liqueur

1 ounce vodka

2 ounces pineapple juice

Juice of half a lime 

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.  Pour into a martini glass, garnish with a melon ball or two and enjoy!  And let me say that I hope we see a lot more green in our world soon- and less white.