Sip

This cocktail is the perfect recipe to whip up for your 4th of July parties… it’s refreshing, delicious and can be whipped up with only 3 ingredients!

Brown Derby 

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 1 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz honey syrup

1. Combine above ingredients in an ice filled cocktail shaker and mix over ice.

Honey Syrup 

• 2 parts honey
• 1 part water

1. Heat honey and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until honey dissolves.
2. Let cool and store in an airtight container.

As June’s “garden party” themed cocktail party continues, I had to include a favorite herb of mine in the line-up – basil.  I love how versatile it is, and really can make a dish (or drink) pop! Considering my mom is visiting one of her best friends this week (who introduced me to the Caipirinha), I only thought it fitting to put a fun spin on it. Here you go!

Basil Pepper Caipirinha

• 1 oz lime
• 1 bar spoon sugar
• 10 basil leaves
• 1 bar spoon white pepper corns
• 2 oz Cachaca
• club soda or lime LaCoix soda

1. Muddle lime juice, sugar, peppercorns and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice and Cachaca and shake until frosty.
3. Strain into an ice filled glass.
4. Top with soda and garnish with basil.

I love a cocktail that is versatile.  This drink (with a quick tweak) could be just as delicious (and seasonally appropriate) by a fire on a winter night, as it could be poolside in the middle of summer.  It is also the perfect entertaining cocktail, because it is simple to make but has a fun twist that makes it feel special.  What is this magical cocktail I speak of? It’s our Week 2 of our garden series cocktail – the Bourbon Thyme Spritzer.

Bourbon Thyme Spritzer 

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz honey (or simple syrup or agave)
• 3 sprigs of thyme

1. Add the above ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker.
2. Shake vigorously until the shaker starts to freeze.
3. Strain into a low ball glass with a single ice cube.

**If you are fireside in the middle of December, enjoy your cocktail at this point in thyme time.

4. Add club soda to your liking for a refreshing spritzer spin on this fun drink!

This month, I am excited to share four “garden-centric” cocktails featuring fresh herbs from my mom’s garden.  First up on the docket? A specialty drink from one of my favorite local restaurants – Dry Creek Grill.

Sage Advice 

• 2 oz vodka or gin
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz honey
• 1/2 oz Maraschino Liquor
• 4 leaves of sage

1. Pour vodka/gin, lime juice, honey, and cherry liquor into an ice filled cocktail shaker.
2. Place sage leaves into the palm of your hand and clap your hands together to release the oils.
3. Add sage leaves to cocktail shaker.
4. Shake for 20 seconds until icy.
5. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a sage leaf.

Almost 3 years into the blog and sometimes whipping up new and innovative cocktails can be a bit of a stretch (that’s over 150 Fun Drink Fridays!!!).  To then find one that truly blows me away is pretty rare – but this one gets me pretty excited for the warm summer months ahead (like I need any more reason!?).

Watermelon Coconut Cooler 

recipe via A House in the Hills 

• 2 full cups watermelon, cubed
• 12 oz coconut water (Harmless Harvest is the best!)
• 6 ounces tequila
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• 1/2 lime cut into wheels

1. Puree watermelon cubes in a blender for 5-10 seconds, set aside.
2. Muddle coconut water and lime wedges in a cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice and tequila and shake for 10-20 seconds (until icy).
4. Strain tequila mixture evenly into 4 ice filled glasses.
5. Fill remainder of glass with watermelon puree
6. Stir and garnish with a lime wheel.