Side Swipe

Researching the toast for this box led me to a regional Hawaiian spirit I had not heard about until now, known as “Swipe”. It originated in the Hawaiian pineapple fields as a cheap and clandestine way to make rum. Workers would select ripe pineapples, cut off the tops, mash up the fruit inside and add sugar, then replace the crowns and let the sun and heat ferment things for a few days. The results were said by locals to “swipe your head off”. The name may have more accurately derived from the other meaning of swipe, “to steal”, as this was a way the local workers would take something back from the wealthy plantation owners who took over the islands. The ironic history of the pineapple is that it originated from South America -Hawaiians still refer to it as the “foreign fruit” – yet 80% of the world’s pineapple now comes from Hawaii.

a pineapple rum Sidecar

The other part of the name at hand here is found in one of the great classics, the Sidecar. I’ve mentioned this one before, along with its dubious original story. The sidecar is classically made with cognac as the base spirit, along with some lemon and orange liqueur. Traditionally the glass is coated with sugar as well, to sweeten each tart sip. For this special version I exchanged the cognac for Plantation’s fabulous pineapple rum – which is far more refined that traditional Swipe I am sure, but hits the right notes and pays tribute. I also followed the template created by Joaquin Simo, who perfected the Sidecar at New York’s Pouring Ribbons. It’s so tasty you ought not set it down and turn to the side, lest someone swipe it from you. Cheers!

Side by side Side Swipers

Side Swiper – a pineapple rum Sidecar

2 oz Plantation pineapple rum

¾ oz Pierre Ferand dry curacao

¾ oz fresh lemon

¼ oz rich demerara syrup

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Lemon twist.