Tasty Tuesdays: Pink Elephant Cocktails Inpired by Water for Elephants

I began reading Water for Elephants about two weeks ago with a desire to finish the book in enough time to see it at the Prytania Theatre while it was still out.  Little did I know, I needed no added pressure to finish it because it was so wonderful, I could not put it down.  I thought the story, told from both the perspective of a young man and his older self, was a combination of tragedy, compassion, rage, loyalty, and love.  I have so looked forward to seeing the characters come alive on screen.  Mark and I walked to the Prytania, our neighborhood's one screen theatre, and watched the story unfold on screen.  It was lovely and moving and just exactly as I saw it in my head.

For those of you who have read the book or seen the movie, you will appreciate the elephants and lemonade reference in this recipe.  There's something whimsical and childlike and sentimental about lemonade.  My dad would always whip up a batch of Countrytime on a hot summer day.  There's nothing quite like it. 

For the child in all of us, this grown up version sounded too good not to post.  Imagine the refreshing mixture of lime, grapefruit, and cranberry juices blended with lemonade and vodka.  I think I'd add some mint for an extra special touch.  I imagine Jacob's elephant Rosie would approve of this version as well!

Pink Elephant Cocktails

Makes 5-7 servings

16 to 20 ounces vodka

4 to 5 ounces fresh lime juice

4 to 5 ounces fresh lemonade

8 to 10 ounces grapefruit juice

2 to 2/12 ounces cranberry juice

Lime slices (cut very thin) for garnish

Directions

1.Mix all but the cranberry juice in a 2 1/2-quart pitcher. Then add the cranberry juice a little at a time until drink is the color of light-pink cotton candy. Refrigerate until serving time. To serve, pour over ice into chilled 6-ounce glasses. Garnish with thin lime slices (or pink plastic elephants).

Have you read the book or seen the movie?  What did you think?