The Malinga Slinga for the World Cup Final

Good morning, everyone!  It's April Fool's here, but have no fear, this is going to be a real post.  Tomorrow's the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India, and I'm looking forward to seeing the fabulous Angelo Mathews, the great bowler Lasith Malinga and his malicious yorker, and the frightening and deadly spin bowler Muralidaran.  Team Sri Lanka!

Now dont' get me wrong; I really like the India team, but Sri Lanka does have that special something that makes them extra fun to watch. That special something happens to be Malinga's slinging action when he bowls.  Usually quick bowlers are supposed to have their arms totally vertical, at a 90 degree angle from the ground, when they release the ball.  Malinga keeps his arm at what appears to be a 45 degree angle or lower.  This bowling action, the slinging style, combined with his speed and accuracy and further combined with the visual of his alarming black/bleached blond afro hairstyle rattles even the best of batsmen.  Seriously, if I were at the crease, and this machine of bowling maliciousness was running towards me, I'd cry for my mommy!

Slinga Malinga in Toe Crushing Good Form

Because I like Slinga Malinga's yorkers and his hairdo so much, I've come up with a new cocktail named after him...The Malinga Slinga, based on the classic Singapore Sling, but instead of the usual amount of pineapple juice, I've reduced it by half and added some Coke.  The pineapple and coke, yellow and black, represent his afro, and the cherry and grenadine represent his red-hot yorker!  Yes!  But,   don't worry, if you're a non-drinker, you can also make the non-alcoholic version which will be just as delicious!  For those of you who don't know, I worked for years bartending to pay for university and to pay the bills.  I know what I'm doing when it comes to drink mixology!  Don't use pre-packaged drink mixes, use the fresh stuff as much as you can. It makes the difference between a mediocre cocktail and a fantastic one that will make you feel like dancing with delight.

The Malinga Slinga

1 oz gin

1/2 oz cherry brandy 

2 oz pineapple juice

2 oz Coca-Cola

1/2 oz lime juice

1/4 oz orange liqueur

1/4 oz benedictine liqueur

1/3 oz grenadine syrop

1 dash Angostura Bitters

  

Fill a very tall glass with ice.  First of all, pour in the gin, the benedictine, then the Coke.  Then add the pineapple juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur.

Give everything a quick stir, then pour in the cherry brandy and the grenadine; do not stir.

Garnish with a slice of pineapple and maraschino cherry.

Non alcoholic version:  Don't use gin, and use cherry juice if available instead of cherry liqueur.  Use orange juice instead of orange liqueur, and omit the benedictine. 

So there you have the Malinga Slinga, a refreshing but potent cocktail, just like Malinga's bowling...a nice change from the usual form, but packs a real punch!  And you'll find the non-alcoholic version is just as lovely and will be a hit at any party.

Let's Go Sri Lanka!

Happy Cricket, Happy World Cup, and Happy Cocktail!

And PS...my good friend Fahd is writing a guest post today!!!! I'm so excited and you should be too!    Keep your eyes open!