Wednesday, August 17, 2016

The Missionary's Downfall Cocktail

The Missionary's Downfall cocktail

Fresh mint enlivens this Tiki “smoothie”

Want to join the green smoothie craze, but can't stand the taste? Have we got a drink for you!

Smoothies have been around since the electric blender became popular. And so have blender cocktails, like the Frozen Daiquiri. Or the Missionary’s Downfall.

OK, this drink isn’t as healthy as your typical green smoothie. But its color is striking. And it tastes sooo much better.

Besides, fresh mint is good for you. Isn’t it?


The Missionary's Downfall cocktail

Recipe: The Missionary’s Downfall Cocktail

This drink was created around 1937 by Tiki impresario Donn Beach (of Don the Beachcomber restaurant fame).

Like many Tiki drinks, the Missionary’s Downfall has a fanciful name. (And a mysterious one – no one really knows how this cocktail got its name.) Unlike many Tiki drinks, however, this one doesn’t contain a great deal of booze. So it’s a “lighter” drink. But don’t worry, it has plenty of flavor.

If you don’t want to use a blender to make this drink, in the Notes we give you an alternate method.

We got our recipe from Beachbum Berry, who is a wonderful source of information for all things Tiki.

This drink takes about 5 minutes to prepare, and serves 1.

Ingredients
  • 1 ounce light rum (may increase to 1½ ounces)
  • ½ ounce peach brandy 
  • 1½ ounces unsweetened pineapple juice
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ to 1 ounce honey simple syrup (to taste; see Notes for instructions on how to make this)
  • ¼ cup mint leaves, tightly packed
  • ¾ cup crushed ice
  • garnish of mint sprig and/or peach slice (optional)
Procedure
  1. Place all ingredients (except garnish) in a blender. Blend at high speed for 20 seconds.
  2. Pour the mixture into a cocktail glass (or a champagne coupe). Garnish, if desired, and serve.
The Missionary's Downfall cocktail

Notes
  • Some people prefer to shake this drink. If you want to go that route, here’s how: First, muddle (crush) 12 fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker (use a muddler or the back of a long spoon). Then add the other ingredients, shake with ice, and strain into a cocktail glass (or a rocks glass filled with crushed ice). 
  • We don’t think this cocktail looks (or tastes) quite as good when shaken, however. Better to use the blender.
  • Instead of using a cocktail glass, you could serve this drink in a champagne coupe (or even a champagne flute).
  • We described how to make honey simple syrup in our post on The Bee’s Knees Cocktail. Here’s a review: Measure out equal quantities of honey and water (say, ½ cup of each). Place the honey in a heat-proof bowl. Heat the water until hot (it doesn’t have to be boiling; a microwave works well for this). Combine the hot water with the honey, and stir until the honey dissolves. Pour the syrup into a squeeze bottle or an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. 
  • The original recipe for this drink specifies 1 ounce of honey simple syrup. But if you’re using an inexpensive peach brandy (which is all you’ll find at most stores), we suggest starting with ½ ounce – because the cheap peach brandies tend to be really sweet. 
  • We’ve seen recipes that substitute apricot brandy for peach. Sounds worth a try. 
  • The original recipe for this drink specified light Puerto Rican rum (Bacardi is the best known brand). But any light rum will work well. 
  • Some history on blenders: The ancestor of the modern blender was invented in 1922 by Wisconsin engineer Stephen J. Poplawski. His company sold them to drugstores for making malted milks and shakes. 
  • Later, Frederick Osius – also from Wisconsin – came up with an improved design for the blender. Around 1936, he showed his design to Fred Waring (a popular musician and bandleader who had once studied engineering). Waring suggested some refinements to the machine, and began producing it as the Waring Blendor (that’s how he spelled it). Waring, who wasn’t a drinker, at first marketed his blender to health food stores – which used it to invent the smoothie. But Waring soon realized that bars offered an even better market for his product. And so frozen drinks were born. 
  • The blender has actually helped save lives (and not just those of parched bar patrons). Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed a vaccine for polio, used a special Waring blender – the Aseptic Dispersal Blendor – in his research.
The Missionary's Downfall cocktail

Smooth Operators

“Love the color!” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “Is this what they mean by going green?”

“Yup, this drink is green as grass, and smooth as glass,” I said. “And not too much booze.”

“Which means we can have more than one,” said Mrs K R. “Without getting green around the gills.”

“So you’re green lighting another round?” I said.

“Absolutely,” said Mrs K R. “Unlike Kermit, I find it’s easy being green.”

You may also enjoy reading about:
Bee's Knees Cocktail
Vicous Virgin Cocktail
Classic Daiquiri
Pusser's Painkiller Cocktail
The Zombie Cocktail
The Fog Cutter Cocktail
Or check out the index for more

102 comments:

Unknown said...

Haha, funny name! It sounds wonderful and like such a fun refreshing summer drink! Peach brandy, mint and pineapple sounds like a match made in heaven.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Chris, this really is a funny name, isn't it? Fun drink, though, and I love its color. Thanks for the comment.

The Underground Restaurant Chef said...

I love this. Great recipe and the name alone is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi URC, the name is fun, isn't it? Neat drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

A smoothie cocktail, I like it. And I cannot eb the only one who thinks the name could lead down a dirty road hi hi. I love how Tiki drinks are making a comeback, they are so fun and flavorfull. Time to get some mint out of my garden!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, Tiki drinks are great, aren't they? Some of them are just outstanding. And all of them are fun -- particularly the oddly named ones! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Tricia Buice said...

The name must have a story! Guess that's a need to know kind of thing :) Love a green drink and all the ingredients sound great together. Beautiful!

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

Gorgeous, and I imagine the smooth taste matches the exquisite color! Lets mix a few of these and work on a spirited story to match the name!

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

Ah ha ha! I can imagine these being served up at all the "juicery" places around Los Angeles. That would be pretty funny. Until sometimes decided to drive to a yoga class after imbibing! lol

laura dembowski said...

What a great summer drink! I love working with fresh herbs and think they are particularly nice in cocktails. Mint has become one of my favorites lately after trying it a couple of times.

Karen Harris said...

Love the color and name of this cocktail. Tiki drinks are just so much fun. I'd love one or two.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, if the name doesn't have a story, it sure needs one! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, after a few of these it might be your downfall! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, they're called juice bars, aren't they? :D Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, isn't mint nice? Love its flavor? And it looks gorgeous in this drink. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Karen, Tiki drinks really are fun, aren't they? Can't get enough of them! Well, I can, but you know what I mean. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Fresh herbs elevate most every food that I can think of, love this drink, especially the color. Thanks John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, fresh herbs are wonderful, aren't they? Not used in cocktails as much as they should be! Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

Oh my! That drink looks bright, beautiful, and delicious!!!

Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things said...

A stunning colour, and such an interesting back story, John. Many thanks.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, don't you love the color of this? So pretty! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lizzy, that color is fantastic, isn't it? Love it! Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Mmmmm....I love all the flavors in this cocktail! And the name just cracks me up!! P.S. I'd pick a green cocktail over a green smoothie every time!

Vicki Bensinger said...

Wow this sounds wonderful and so tasty. I love all the ingredients that go into this. This is one I have to try. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, that's a fun name, isn't it? :-) And I'm with you and preferring a green cocktail to a green smoothie! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Vicki, isn't this fun? And there aren't that many green cocktails out there, so this is rather different. Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning said...

With peach and honey one can't never go wrong. Love the name of this cocktail as well.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, peaches and honey pair so nicely, don't they? And the mint is nice as well! Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Looks like a sweet drink- just the kind I like- as long as I'm not tempted to get into the "missionary position."!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, LOL! And yes, this is on the sweet side. Thanks for the comment.

Eva Taylor said...

What a beautiful cocktail John, the green is absolutely striking! I love cocktails in a martini glass, it's such an elegant piece of stemware. And that name is wonderful...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, it's fun to photograph martini glasses! Preferably with something in them. :-) And isn't the name great? Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

I don't see how this isn't as healthy as a regular green smoothie: you've got peach, pineapple, honey (always good for allergies!), mint, lime...it's like a superfood, basically. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shannon, Superfood! Hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Barb | Creative Culinary said...

HA...not hard to imagine the reason behind the name! I love the fanciful cocktails that come by way of the islands; they are such fun to drink and always beautiful to behold.

Now if I start making this for my morning smoothie I'll blame you for the trouble that ensues. :)

Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen said...

John, you make the most beautiful and most intriguing cocktails. And this one is no exception. Love that beautiful color too. What a wonderful way to start weekend! :)

Juliana said...

This cocktail looks so pretty and all the flavors in it...peach, honey and fresh mint...what an awesome combination!
Hope you are having a great week John :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barb, ya think? :-) The island/Tiki cocktails are so much fun, aren't they? Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anu, that color is amazing, isn't it? Good flavor, too, which is the important part! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, this really does have fun flavors! Good ones, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

More rum, and I would love this drink! Love the color of it, and all the good flavors in it! I'm embarrassed to say I've never made a smoothie and probably never will, just not appealing to us, but this little drink definitely is. Thanks for the recipe, John and yes, mint is a healthy thing! Take care

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

Oh yes, I love green drinks and food! But, like you, I cannot get on the green smoothie train. I need something that taste good and this will do the trick!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, you could easily add more rum to this drink -- I don't think it'd throw the balance off at all. Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

My kind of green juice! ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, this is better than a green smoothie. I like kale, but not in a drink! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, yup. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

You really come up with the best cocktails. I wouldn't mind having one right now. Prost!

Lydia from Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen said...

Rather pretty with the blended mint floating just below the foamy surface! Love the name! It puts me in mind of those old movies set in the days of the Raj in India.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, important to research new cocktails, don't you think? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lydia, this really is a pretty drink, isn't it? Love its color! Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

Mint is definitely good for you, and with the fruit juices, this is practically health food! Love the color--and any drink with rum.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, maybe we should turn this into a health blog. Well, our kind of healthy foods and drinks, that is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) said...

Love the color of that drink - not to mention the ingredients. Pinning.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lea Ann, the color of this really is amazing, isn't it? Love it! Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

This beats a green smoothie any day of the week! :) I've never heard of a Tiki but after going through the recipe I would says that the 1/4 cup of mint allows this to be called a green smoothie. I think mint is good for you so I'm all in with this cocktail. Thanks for introducing a very interesting and healthy cocktail. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, green smoothies are overrated. This isn't. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Amira said...

This drink has a wonderful color indeed. I think I can tweak it for a non-alcoholic version :). Thanks

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, this would be pretty easy to make without using booze. Maybe add a few slices of peach to the blender so you get a good peach flavor? Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

I can just imagine how this tastes. Those ingredients sound amazing together. I adore the name, too.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, it's a fun combo of ingredients -- interesting flavor. Thanks for the comment.

Robyn said...

Haha, love the name and, as always, chuckled at your fun banter! This is a great colour and the ingredients are very interesting. Imagining the flavour combination definitely caught my attention. Gorgeous shot, too!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Robyn, fun name, isn't it? And great flavor! Thanks for the comment.

Mother Rimmy said...

You're right, not quite as healthy as a green smoothie, but I'm sure every sip is fruity and delicious! Besides, there's health benefits to relaxing now and then, right?

Unknown said...

Love your fancy named cocktails! This ones got such a lovely colour and I think it would be really easy to make a non alcoholic version. Beautiful!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kristi, relaxing is good! And very healthy. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nazneen, this has fabulous color, doesn't it? Love it! And I agree that you could pretty easily make a nonalcoholic version of this one -- it'd be pretty good, I think. Thanks for the comment.

Beth said...

I'm green with envy seeing this drink. Enjoy!

Ansh said...

Absolutely stunning! What a beautiful looking cocktail. I love all your photos but I think I LOVE your cocktail pics. They are among some of the very best !!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Beth, it's a good one! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ansh, gosh, thanks for such a nice comment!

Marcelle said...

Wow, gorgeous drink and the name is hilarious! John, I've never taken moment to think about how important a blender is to modern drink culture or the evolution of smoothies!! I tend to think of smoothies as a modern trend. Love the blender history notes :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, I was a bit surprised to see how old smoothies were! And the name is great isn't it? As is the drink! Thanks for the comment.

Raymund said...

I agree I cant stand the taste of those green healthy smoothies, I feel like a goat when having them. Definitely this is the green drink for me :)

All That I'm Eating said...

What a great colour. I love fresh mint so this is one for me!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, nothing worse than feeling like a goat! So have one of these instead. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Caroline, fresh mint is SO nice, isn't it? And you definitely taste it in this drink! Thanks for the comment.

ChgoJohn said...

Fascinating back story about blenders, John. I doubt I'll have prepare this cocktail but do love the name. I wonder if there's a "Nun's Regret" cocktail out there just waiting for the Kitchen Riffs' treatment?

Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient said...

Tiki indeed! If I were served this green drink I don't think I would expect those flavors to come across my palate. I definitely wouldn't complain though!

Sippity Sup said...

We're out of town (and in the middle of nowhere France). I know I'll never get my hands on peach brandy (not to mention a blender) out here, but this recipe makes me dream anyway. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi John, we should probably develop a drink called the Nun's Regret! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mary, you really taste the peach and mint in this drink. Good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, you'll have to wait until you get back! Although I sure wouldn't be in a hurry to come back from France. Thanks for the comment.

Claudia said...

Anything that suggests I buy some peach brandy has got to be good. Love the juices and color in this - and (unfortunately) we are still fairly tropical - so the drink fits in well with the season. I will never look at a Waring blender the same way.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Claudia, the history of the blender is really interesting, isn't it? Fun stuff! Thanks for the comment.

Gourmet Getaways said...

Yeah! This is my type of smoothie!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Julie, ours too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

I'm not a smoothie drinker, and I've felt so left out ... but no longer! (I had no idea that one of my fellow countrymen invented the blender!)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, we really don't drink many smoothies either. This, though, we do. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Rahul @samosastreet.com said...

Great Post John. Truly it is one tasty cocktail with such a refreshing combination!

Unknown said...

Your missionary downfall cocktail sounds so refreshing and delicious. Heck, both peaches and mint..it is practically diet and way better than any green smoothie I have come across. I think this is a great drink for the in between of the season. Thanks so much for your support and well wishes during my absence. Missed you dearly. Pinned! Take care

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Oh my. This could be my downfall too! Sounds totally refreshing, which I could use most any day. Happy to be green!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rahul, isn't this nice? Lovely summer drink. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, practically diet! I like that. And SO happy to see you back. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, yup, refreshing is usually sorely needed. And this drink is! Thanks for the comment.

Kushigalu said...

flavorful and gorgeous drink. Thank you so much for sharing!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kushi, isn't this fun? Great drink! Thanks for the comment.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

This drink sounds so refreshing. I love the combination of ingredients.I also think that the color of the drink is very striking.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, the color is neat, isn't it? Love the way this looks! And tastes. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons said...

I love your cocktails, John! And here's another colorful beauty! I love anything with pineapple juice and rum! Though I love eating my greens, I've never jumped on the drinking my greens bandwagon. But I can get on board with this one! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, I love greens, but don't want to drink them either! Well, except in this cocktail. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kiran @ KiranTarun.com said...

I love a tropical cocktail and this looks like the perfect drink!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kiran, this is definitely a good one! And we like tropical drinks a bunch, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.