According to Oprah, she has become quite the entertainer especially at her home in Maui.  In fact, she featured a delicious sounding cocktail including pineapple infused vodka, fresh squeezed pineapple juice, smoked pineapple and lemongrass among a few other ingredients.  Yum.  But way too fussy for me to even attempt.   I mean, am I really going to juice the pineapple and smoke the discarded pieces?  Nope.  Luckily, there was an alternative recipe printed off to the side, looking like an afterthought in the July 2019 edition of Oprah Magazine, “Behind the Scenes”.  This was is far simpler and I made it even easier but skipping the muddling of the mint and ginger.  Here is my version and since it’s very close to hers, I call it the “Oprah Minty”.  Light, refreshing, not too sweet and perfectly chilled for these hot summer nights in late July.

Oprah Minty

(makes one drink)

1 handful fresh mint  plus a few extra leaves for garnish

Shaker full of ice

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

4 oz. pineapple juice

juice from 1/2 lemon (about 1 oz.)

2 ounces vodka

Put all items in shaker.  Shake for at least 30 seconds, until your fingers stick to the metal sides of the shaker.  Strain into a chilled martini or wine glass.  Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves.  Enjoy immediately.