The wonders of Pinterest never cease to amaze me. Over the long Thanksgiving weekend I was searching for Christmas cookie recipes on Pinterest. I figured maybe it was time to try something new, expand my horizons.

Well leave it to Pinterest to “force” me into trying something new. Somehow in my search for Christmas cookies I came across a recipe for a snickerdoodle martini. Well duh, I clicked that link. This when I first discovered RumChata. After reading this martini recipe I knew I had to have a bottle of RumChata.

So why did I feel the need to try RumChata? Perhaps I should explain what it is if you don’t already know. It is a liquor made with Caribbean rum, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, real Wisconsin dairy cream and a few other secret flavors. Need I say more?!

It took me a while to get my first bottle of RumChata. My liquor store of choice is on the other side of town and I avoid that area like the plague around the holidays. Low and behold Jack was invited to a birthday party at Build A Bear, right near my liquor store.

I think you know where this is going, I drove Jack to that party! Sure I could have carpooled with friends, but they couldn’t be ready in time to get to the liquor store first. In my backwards part of the country liquor sales end at 7PM so going after the party wasn’t an option.

Jack and I drove to the other side of town and barely made it there. We got caught in traffic, accidents and much too much excitement for my taste! The good news is we had time for my shopping trip. I got my bottle and one for my mom (her birthday was coming up and I knew she would love it too).

After my excitement Jack enjoyed the birthday party and had tons of fun. He got loaded up on way too much sugar. We didn’t get home until nearly 9:30, well past his bedtime. As soon as he was in bed though I poured myself a shot of RumChata. It was love at first sip!

On New Year’s Eve our friends brought a bottle of Fireball Whiskey which goes well with the RumChata. I was ready to try something else so I browsed my liquor supply, also known as the top shelf of the pantry!

I came across a bottle of banana liqueur. We never use it much, mostly for experimenting or obscure alcoholic concoctions. Banana mixed with a vanilla, cinnamon cream liqueur sounded good to me. And it was! Cheers everyone!

Banana Cream Pie Cocktail
1.5 oz. RumChata
1.5 oz. banana liqueur

Combine the RumChata and banana liqueur in a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake well. Strain and serve in a glass.

*Play around with this drink, it is versatile. Serve as a shooter. Add some milk or cream and serve in a graham cracker crumb rimmed martini glass. Add ice cream and make a milkshake. Imagine the possibilities!

Yields: 1 serving