There are times when you want something different. We’ve been having great fun with tiki drinks here at La Casa de SLOSHED!, but sometimes you want to step a little bit outside the box. Not far, perhaps—like taking a day trip to the beach, you might say.

I was in the mood for something sweet and tart (refreshing optional) for my post-dinner drink, and found the Knickerbocker a la Monsieur in Ted Haigh’s fabulous Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails. The name is long, the list of ingredients short and, most importantly, I had everything on hand.

2 oz Virgin Islands rum
1/2 oz orange curaçao
1/2 oz raspberry syrup
1 oz lemon juice
1 slice of orange, for garnish
1 slice of pineapple, for garnish

Add all ingredients to crushed ice in a goblet, collins glass, or tumbler, stir and serve. Garnish with more fruits in season.

Okay, maybe I was lying a little bit about the “everything on hand” part. We didn’t have any Virgin Islands rum in the bar so I subbed with Barbados. We also didn’t have any pineapple or oranges, but the “fresh fruits in season” are abundant, so you can probably just make out the apricot-and-Rainer-cherry garnish I worked up from the fruits in the fridge.

All in all, a nice little drink. Mostly sweet with some nice lemony zing, and very, very easy to make.