Introducing Mr. & Mrs. McClure! (Photo by Lindsay Vann Photography)

THIS NEWS IS SO JOYOUS AND BEAUTIFUL AND BOUNTIFUL THAT I WANT TO GET ALL JULIE ANDREWS UP IN HERE, AND FILL THE HILLS OF CHICAGO WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC!!!! (Let’s ignore that my hometown, Chicago, has no hills and I’m tone deaf.) On Saturday, June 14, my little sister Natalie married her raison d’être, Scott, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The beauty of their ceremony was breathtaking. The adoration in their vows was so genuine that hearts swelled until tears of happiness welled up in the eyes of all onlookers. And the fun at their reception was so electric that even the most uncoordinated, rhythm-impaired dancer (me) was dancing until her hammies ached and her brother’s pants split in two (way to limbo, bro).

 
One of my favorite pearls of wisdom, attributed to Charles Swindoll (and others), is “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.” So how did we, Natalie and Scott’s “island family”, react to this blissful occasion? Why, with copious rum, of course! In fact, in Natalie and Scott’s honor, a new drink was born during their wedding week: THE CARIBBEAN COW. Inspired by a cocktail of great renown, the Moscow Mule, THE CARIBBEAN COW includes the U.S. Virgin Island’s official beverage – Cruzan rum – in order to create a sparklingly light and refreshing cocktail with just a kiss of coconutty sweetness. With one sip of THE CARIBBEAN COW, a smile stretches across your lips, your eyes widen with unexpected delight, and you do a quick double-take to make sure your liquor cabinet is stocked with enough of the necessary supplies needed to invite many COWS to the party. Because baby, no one can – or should – drink just one COW, especially when a) you’re celebrating the marriage of my wee sister, and b) in the middle of paradise.

 
So how about it? You want to join me in toast to the new Mr. and Mrs. McClure? Then COW UP! As an added bonus, this is one COW that even our vegan friends can enjoy. Without further ado, the recipe:

Behold the CARIBBEAN COW!

• Ice
• Cruzan or Brugal rum (Cruzan if you want to remain true to the COW.  For those who are not big rum drinkers, try a Guatemalan rum called Zacapa – it’s not as sweet and is pleasantly reminiscent of whiskey)
• Coconut water
• Sparkling water
• Thick wedge of lime

The recommended ratios are two parts coconut water, two parts sparkling water, and one part rum. Squeeze the lime into your COW, drop it in your drink, and get ready to raise your glass with this toast, stolen – and slightly modified – from Juno:

The best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, HANGRY, what have you. The right person is still going to think the sun shines out of your ass. That’s the kind of person that’s worth sticking with. To Natalie, Scott, a life full of sunshine and CARIBBEAN COWS!

 
Now, I realize that our Hangry Chicks blog is all about making smart, nutritious decisions to quell hanger. So as you scratch your head, wondering why a cocktail is on our blog, I would like to redirect your attention back to my favorite pearl of wisdom. Hangry Chicks are not into deprivation. We’re into moderation as well as celebration. So our philosophy follows the 90/10 rule: Eat healthfully and intelligently 90 percent of the time. Ten percent of the time, cut loose, celebrate special occasions and don’t be afraid to dance with the devils known as Sugar, Liquor and Processed Food. Furthermore, have you read about the benefits of coconut water? I’m not advising you to replace your regular water with the stuff, but I’ll tell you what: coconut water is nutritionally valuable stuff. How do I know? I read it on the Internet right here, so it must be true.

 
Congratulations again, my sweet sister and best brother-in-law!

Natalie and Greta, two grateful, happy, un-hangry chicks.