5 Tasty spring cocktails…
Spring is in the air, the sun is out and it’s time to sit in the garden with a fresh, yummy cocktail!
1. Green Tea Mojito
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
4 large mint leaves (I substituted 1 shiso leaf, torn into several large pieces)
2 teaspoons sugar
approx. 1/2 cup brewed green tea, chilled
1 ounce white rum
Muddle the lime juice, mint (or shiso), and sugar together in a Collins glass until the leaves bruise lightly and the flavors release. Add ice until glass is about 3/4 full and then pour in rum and green tea. Stir thoroughly.
2. Whiskey Sour
2 oz whiskey (I used rye whiskey)
3/4 oz lemon juice (fresh squeezed, of course)
3/4 oz simple syrup.
These proportions did not disappoint. The lemon and sugar nicely balanced out the whiskey without completely overpowering it. The simple syrup is a very crisp and elegant sweetener; it doesn’t bring a lot to the table, but lets the other flavors do the talking.
3. Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Makes 1 pitcher, or about 8 servings:
1 can (12 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate
10 strawberries (or 12 if you’re using smaller ones from the farmer’s market or your backyard.)
8 basil leaves
2 to 2 1/2 cups tequila (gold or silver)
Empty the limeade concentrate into a pitcher. Add 2 1/2 cans of water and 1 1/2 (18 ounces, or 2 1/4 cups) cans of tequila (or a bit less, if you don’t want your drinks to be quite as strong).
Hull the strawberries, slice lengthwise, and add to the pitcher. Crumple the basil a little in your hands (this will help the basil flavor release into the drink) and add it to the pitcher, too. Place the pitcher, covered, in the fridge overnight, or for at least four hours.
When you remove the pitcher from the fridge, your margaritas will be a lovely pale pink color. Now all you have to do is serve them and wait for the compliments to pour in.
4. Watermelon-Cucumber Refresher
3 parts vodka (I used 1 1/2 ounces) [Note: tequila makes a great recipe variation too]
1 part (1/2 ounce) triple sec
1 part (1/2 ounce) watermelon-cucumber-mint juice*
1 part (1/2 ounce) fresh lime juice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a watermelon and/or cucumber slice and/or a sprig of mint.
5. Blueberry Rum Smash
Fresh (or frozen) blueberries
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 ounces rum
Ginger ale
Cover the bottom of an old-fashioned glass or mason jar with blueberries. (If you’re using a smaller glass, make a double layer.) Add the brown sugar and lemon juice and muddle (or smoosh with the back of a spoon) until the sugar is melted. The idea is to break the skins of the blueberries, but not to mash them into a pulp. Fill the glass with crushed ice and then add the rum. Top with ginger ale and stir.
Why not combine your delicious spring cocktails with some beautiful Spring flowers?
