Ingredients
Drink
- 50 mlwhite rum
- 50 mlpineapple juice
- 10 mlmaraschino liqueur
- 5 mlgrenadine
Also
- plenty of ice
Garnish
- a maraschino cherry
- a pineapple wedge
Directions
- Use fresh pineapple juice if you possibly can, pressed or blended and strained.
- Use real maraschino liqueur, a clear Luxardo-style cherry spirit, not the red syrup from a jar of cocktail cherries.
- Use a real grenadine made from pomegranate rather than the red corn syrup sold under the name.
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer while you mix. Fill a shaker with ice and add the rum, pineapple juice, maraschino and grenadine.
- Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds until the tin frosts thoroughly.
- Shake it hard rather than stirring. Pineapple juice needs aeration and a properly shaken one develops a fine pale foam on top.
- Garnish with a cherry and a small pineapple wedge, and serve at once. It should be a pale coral pink.
Technique
- It is a sweet drink by design and dialling the grenadine back is the usual modern adjustment.
- Cuban-style light rum suits it better than a heavy dark rum.
- The foam on top settles within a minute, so serve it immediately.
Substitutions
- Good tinned pineapple juice, with the grenadine reduced.
- Any dry white rum.
Variations
- With aged rum for a rounder drink.
- Served long over crushed ice.
- With a dash of lime, which balances the sweetness.
History
Mixed in Havana during American Prohibition and named for the silent-film star, who was filming in Cuba at the time.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mary Pickford?
Mary Pickford is a cocktail from Cuba: white rum shaken with pineapple juice, grenadine and maraschino. Mixed in Havana during American Prohibition and named for the silent-film star, who was filming in Cuba at the time.
How long does Mary Pickford take to make?
Mary Pickford takes 5 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 1 drink. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Mary Pickford?
Yes, within limits. Good tinned pineapple juice, with the grenadine reduced. Any dry white rum.
What is the most important thing to get right in Mary Pickford?
Use a real grenadine made from pomegranate rather than the red corn syrup sold under the name.
