Most writers and artists of every ilk will likely agree that inspiration comes from everywhere. My inspiration to publish this Pink Squirrel cocktail recipe came to me over morning coffee. As I sat sipping and reading outside on my front deck this morning, a very curious squirrel scooted from the treetops down the trunk of the oak tree just a couple of feet away from me. For a few moments, he sat very still, looking at me eye to eye with what seemed to be the same degree of curiosity I was watching him. Later, when I sat down to write, he was the first thought that crossed my mind. In his honor, here’s how to make a Pink Squirrel.

Did I mention this chocolate-laced, nutty pink delight is made from ice cream?

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Into a blender, place

about 1/2 cup ice
1 ounce pink creme de noyaux
1 ounce clear creme de cacao
1 ounce half-and-half or heavy cream
2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Blend till smooth and creamy, then pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings for an elegant finish.

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Creme de noyaux is an almond-flavored liqueur made from the kernels of apricot seeds. The French word, noyau, means pit, kernel, or core. Apricot kernels taste like sweet almonds and are one of the flavoring agents for the Italian liqueur amaretto.

Traditionally, creme de noyaux is clear or amber, depending on how long it ages in a wooden cask. In the United States, it’s usually pink so, wherever possible, use this one in your Pink Squirrel recipe.

Creme de cacao is chocolate, of course. It’s usually available in a clear version or a dark, chocolatey-looking version. Use the clear stuff for this recipe so the beverage stays pretty and pink.

The Pink Squirrel is said to have been invented during the days of Prohibition in the US. Speakeasies were the rage, one reason being that they offered ladies the opportunity to get all dolled up and go out drinking and dancing with their favorite men.

Before alcoholic beverages became legally prohibited in the US, the sexes usually kept their drinking activities segregated - men adjourned to the drawing room for big, fat stogies and snifters of brandy while the ladies retired to the parlor for the prim and proper sipping of sherry. Everybody shared wine at the dinner table, even the kids, but for adult drinking after the meal, and after the kids were sent away to bed, the guys and dolls went their separate ways.

I usually attribute Prohibition to the birth of the cocktail. Since booze had to be produced on the sly, quality control was a bit lax, to say the least. Moonshine can be harsh and the final product unpredictable in both strength and flavor. Ladies didn’t much care for booze so strong it would put hair on their chests so all sorts of other flavors were added to disguise the rough-tasting bootleg booze to entice the ladies into joining the men for an evening of intoxicating romance.

The Pink Squirrel cocktail was such a tremendous hit with the ladies that it’s withstood the test of time. After all, it’s sweet, creamy, tastes of chocolate, and it’s pink!

Think about serving this one at bridal showers, for Mother's Day, to guests at a baby shower, or anywhere pink is the theme of the day.