3 garden harvest cocktails
This time of year my favorite place to enjoy an evening sipper is on our back patio. It affords a view of our colorful garden. As I watch veggies and herbs mature in front of me, its easy to imagine these beauties paired with some of my favorite spirits. If your garden, or local farmers market is peaking, think about making one of these delicious cocktails!
GREEN PEPPER and BASIL GIMLET
This is a unique combo that makes for a slightly savory and addictive flavor. We've had great success with peppers this harvest. Our goal is to try this same concoction by substituting poblanos and jalapeños this month.
2 inch slice of green pepper
5 or 6 basil leaves
1 t of agave nectar (or simple syrup)
1 lime juiced
2 oz gin
Muddle the pepper, basil and agave in a cocktail shaker until everything is pulverized. Fill the shaker with ice and add the lime juice and gin. Shake it all up until ice cold. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a sprig of basil.
CARROT MOSCOW MULE
This beautiful cocktail amps up a drink I thought was already perfect. The carrot adds a refreshing earthiness to the traditional mule, playing off the flavor of ginger nicely. Its difficult not to pound them, or appreciate the engaging color.
1 part vodka
1 part carrot juice, fresh or store-bought
1 dash per drink of Angostura bitters
Squeeze of lime juice
3 parts ginger beer
Gently stir together vodka, carrot juice, bitters, and lime juice. Pour into a glass full of ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with slivers of carrot or carrot sticks and a lime wedge.
CUCUMBER MOJITO
The muddled mess this cocktail leaves in the glass, including the crunchy sugar, makes for a very satisfying and refreshing drink.
3 slices of cucumber, cut 1/4 inch thick
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1 t sugar (granulated or turbinado)
2 oz white rum
Club soda
Cucumber slices and mint leaves for garnish
Muddle cucumber, lime and sugar in a glass. Fill the glass with ice and add the rum. Top with club soda. Pour this glass into another glass and back again to be sure it all mixes nicely and you rescue as much residual sugar as you can. Garnish with cucumber slices and mint leaves.
Happy Harvest, everyone! Muddle up!