Virgin Piña Colada Float--February's Great Escape

Virgin Piña Colada Float--February's Great Escape
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Oh, how I love a virgin piña colada on a beach. I always order one (usually just one a year) on my first day of vacation in a warm place. It's a delicious confirmation that yes, I really am on vacation in a warm place. Well, I am determined to recreate that happy feeling at home, even if it is cold, snowy, icy, and dark, and spring seems years away. And I like the idea of a float instead of a smoothie because sometimes, smoothies make so much noise when you run the Vitamix that it takes all the joy out of the drink. But could I find all the ingredients to make it organic? The answer is a resounding YES.

So, the other night during American Idol, I got out the glasses and the straws and did my experiment. I used organic pineapple juice (yum!) and opened a can of organic, unsweetened, and "classic" (as opposed to light) coconut milk--which is rich and creamy and very liquid-y. I skipped the sparkling water, but would try adding it in the summertime if I were making a lighter version. And pulled out the last bit of organic vanilla ice cream.

If the slurping of empty glasses is any indicator, I would say my virgin piña colada float experiment was a success. It was enjoyed by all, and gone in less than a minute. If you like the taste of piña coladas, try this, you'll like it. And you'll never be tempted to use a mix ever again!

Virgin Piña Colada Float

Ingredients:

Organic pineapple juice
Organic canned coconut milk
Organic vanilla ice cream
Ice
Straw

Directions:

1. Put out a tall glass and fill it halfway with ice.
2. Fill it almost to the top with the pineapple juice (leave about an inch for the coconut milk).
3. Pour in about an inch of the coconut milk and gently stir. It looks pretty!
4. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a straw, and drink it up!

This drink can be more than a winter antidepression treatment. One day, it will be summer again, and a piña colada float would be a lovely dessert for a dinner party or a pool party. Ah, summer...let me count the days....

For more from Maria Rodale, go to www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com.

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