So, the Masters was coming up, right? And I got this itch, you know, to do something a bit festive while watching the golf. Saw some stuff online about Masters themed drinks and thought, yeah, I could probably manage that.
Getting Started – The Plan (or Lack Thereof)
First thing, gotta figure out what to make. Everyone knows the Azalea. That pink drink you see everywhere. Seemed like the obvious choice. Looked up what goes in it. Basically:
- Vodka or Gin (I had some vodka lying around)
- Pineapple juice
- Lemon juice (fresh squeezed, always better, right?)
- Grenadine (for that pink color)
Sounded easy enough. Then I thought, maybe one other option? An Arnold Palmer is classic golf stuff. Half iced tea, half lemonade. Super simple. Figured I’d have stuff for that too.
The Great Ingredient Hunt
Okay, step two: check the fridge and cupboards. Had the vodka, check. Found some old pineapple juice in the back, probably still good? Smelled fine. Lemon? Yep, got one wrinkly lemon left. Good enough. But the grenadine… nowhere. Seriously? Thought I had some. Had to run out to the store just for that tiny bottle of red syrup. Bit annoying, honestly, just for a splash of color.
For the Arnold Palmer, I needed iced tea and lemonade. Had tea bags, easy peasy. But no lemonade. Back to the store? Nah, decided against it. Too much hassle. Just stick with the Azalea, keep it simple.
Making the Famous Azalea
Alright, finally got everything. Time to actually mix this thing. Grabbed a shaker. Dumped in the vodka. Poured in the pineapple juice. Squeezed that sad little lemon with all my might. Got maybe a tablespoon of juice out? Whatever, threw it in.
Then the grenadine. The recipe said just a splash. Poured a bit… looked kinda pale. Poured a bit more. Okay, now it’s starting to look pinkish. Added some ice, gave it a good shake. Felt like a proper bartender for about ten seconds.
Strained it into a glass. Looked… okay? Maybe not as vibrant pink as the pictures, but definitely pink. Stuck a lemon slice on the rim, ’cause why not? Felt fancy.
The Verdict
Took a sip. It was… pretty decent, actually! Sweet, tangy, definitely tasted the pineapple. Couldn’t really taste the vodka much, which can be dangerous, ha. It did feel kinda festive, sitting there watching the golfers in their green jackets, sipping my pink drink.
Was it worth the trip just for grenadine? Eh, maybe. It was a bit of fun, something different. Didn’t magically transport me to Augusta National or anything, but it added a little something to watching the tournament at home. Probably make it again next year. Maybe I’ll remember to buy grenadine ahead of time.