Hairy (Fuzzy) Navel

If the name of this cocktail makes you gag, picture Gwen Stefani and her famous abs from the ’90’s instead, because the HAIRY FUZZY NAVEL goes down very nicely. It’s a step between the simpler Screwdriver at brunch and the strong aromatic Himalayan Mist associated with Indian food. With my somewhat lower tolerance for sweet fruity drinks, this one is proportioned to my liking and is meant for sipping.

Requirements: Vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, lime

• 2 oz. (1 & 1/2 jiggers) vodka
• .75 oz. (1 pony) peach schnapps
• .75 oz. (1 pony) orange juice
• lime or orange wheel

Pour all liquid ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add a lime wedge or orange wheel as garnish.

Comment: The peach schnapps is used fairly often in mixing, but it tends to dominate the flavor of the drink. With that in mind, you might need to add a bit more OJ (1.5 oz instead of .75 oz.) or try squeezing a lime wedge into the drink, if only to add more balance. Also, Difford’s Guide (of British fame) recommends stirring rather than shaking to avoid thinning the drink. Since I add a bit more vodka, I shake it, and in turn create a good happy-hour drink as well as a good brunch or after-dinner drink.

FYI, a Fuzzy Navel is the drink above without vodka. The Hairy component is the vodka addition. For short, most people simply call it a Hairy Navel.