After a long, wet, dreary winter, spring has finally sprung. We are blessed with awesome restaurant patios to bask away the afternoons and enjoy epic views. Ample selections of craft beer abound.听
This time of year returns us to our thirst for something refreshing. I had my first gin cocktail in a dog鈥檚 age the other day, made with a fabulous rhubarb pop on clearance at a local store. Toss in a slice of cucumber, throw a blanket on some grass and catch the last few hours of sun before it heads behind those beautiful, snow-capped mountains. My friends, we are living the dream here in the Sea to Sky.
Many 麻豆社国产residents are gardeners. If you haven鈥檛 already started your garden, the sun is upon us, so it鈥檚 a great time to plan your plot of soil. Most people start to think about their food sources, but have you given any thought to your summer cocktails? There is nothing nicer than a few strawberries right off the plant muddled up with a drop of really great balsamic vinegar. Add some soda and your favourite spirit (mine would be tequila or white rum, in this case) and 惫辞颈濒脿!听
Cucumbers are another great one to grow in a cocktail garden. They can be muddled, sliced or blended to add flair, colour and freshness to drinks.
People don鈥檛 consider cherry tomatoes for cocktails, but they are another good choice. Smash them up with some fresh basil, lemon, soda and gin for a gin basil smash.
Speaking of herbs, 麻豆社国产nurseries and stores have a bunch of beautiful herbs available right now that are gorgeous in drinks. Pineapple mint or apple mint, for example, add a nice twist to mojitos. Tarragon, different types of basil, thyme and even dill can be infused into your favourite spirit to give a twist to any highball or cocktail.听
Radishes and beets are becoming a favourite in modern mixology as well as different vegetables that can be pickled and added as a garnish.听
There are also berry bushes available. So many options exist for drinks made with smashed or muddled fruit and can be virgin or not, depending on preference.
A great drink to base summertime libations on is the Caipirinha. Originally from Brazil, its recipe was very simple and consisted of lime muddled with sugar, two ounces of their put-some-hair-on-your-chest spirit Cachaca (made from sugar cane juice) and ice. A Caipiroska is the same thing, but with vodka. The basic recipe is citrus, sugar, spirit and ice. For different fruit variations, try raspberry with lemon, blackberry with lime, salmonberry with lemon and tarragon or grapefruit with basil.听
These can all work with a variety of spirits, or use soda water as an alcohol-free option.
It鈥檚 the ice that is truly key in these drinks. Whether you use a bar mallet, an electric crusher or one of those hand-crank vintage versions, working with broken-up ice is the key to making a Caipirinha cocktail delightful.听
Want to learn more about spring cocktails and what to plant in your garden? I am going to teach two seasonal cocktail classes at Gillespie鈥檚 Fine Spirits on Thursday, April 28 and Wednesday, May 11. Email [email protected].听
