Mixer Weekend
We’re halfway through the month of April and what better way to celebrate than with some delicious cocktails? April is known in the US as the rainy season (you know, April showers bring May flowers) but also ushers in the blooming of cherry blossoms and other spring flowers like tulips and daffodils. The weather is getting warmer and everything is coming alive. There’s no better season than Spring to start getting the cocktails ready.
Vodka Gimlet
image via Absolut
If you’re looking for a cocktail that isn’t too sweet and will pack a wallop, this refreshingly citrusy vodka martini will definitely do the trick. Be forewarned though, this isn’t for the casual cocktail drinker, this is for martini drinkers looking for a little lime juice to take the edge off.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of vodka
- 0.5 oz of fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz of simple syrup
Equipment
- Jigger
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- Ice
- Martini glass
- Lime twist
Instructions
- Combine the vodka, lime juice and simple syrup into the cocktail shaker and top with ice.
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain contents into the martini glass and garnish with a lime twist.
Hendricks Cucumber Martini
image via Big Party Small Spaces
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as cucumber or mint for that matter. Combine the two with some delicious gin and you’ve got yourself a delicious cocktail that will make you feel like you’re at a spa. You can use any type of gin technically, but Hendricks is the best since it is less juniper-y than most other gins and has a slight taste of cucumber. This drink requires a little bit of effort since you’ll have to make the cucumber juice. If you have a juicer, it will be a lot easier.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of Hendrick’s gin
- 0.25 oz of fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz of simple syrup
- 0.75 oz of cucumber juice
- 5 mint leaves
Equipment
- Jigger
- cocktail shaker
- Juicer
- Ice
- Strainer
- Martini glass
- Cucumber wheel garnish
Instructions
- Juice one cucumber in the juicer to make cucumber juice.
- Combine the mint, gin, simple syrup, cucumber juice and lime juice in the cocktail shaker. Top with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Pour contents into a martini glass and garnish with the cucumber wheel.
Sparkling Lavender Lemonade
image via brides.com
Flower infused simple syrups have become all the craze and unsurprisingly rose tends to be one of the most used flavors. For a more subtle floral accent, try using some lavender instead. You can find lavender nowadays at most flower shops and some places even sell some dried lavender for cooking uses. For this recipe, it’s best to use fresh lavender if possible to make the simple syrup. You can make it a couple days ahead and use the leftovers for making regular lemonade, adding it into your black coffee and more. This delicious cocktail is perfect for brunch or a drink to have on the porch during a downpour. I found the lavender lemonade recipe from shindig 411 and decided it would be go well with a little bubbly.
Ingredients
- 1 oz of lavender lemonade (lemon juice, lavender simple syrup and water)
- 2 oz of champagne (preferably dry)
Equipment
- Jigger
- Lemon squeezer
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Saucepan
- pitcher
- champagne flute
Instructions for Lavender Simple Syrup
- Combine 1 cup of sugar with 2 ½ cups water in a saucepan. Boil until sugar is dissolved, around 1 minute.
- Remove saucepan from heat and add 1/4 cups of lavender blooms. Let stand 1-4 hours until completely cooled.
- Strain out lavender blooms.
Instructions for Lavender Lemonade
- In a pitcher combine 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, the lavender simple syrup and 3 cups of water. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Instructions for Cocktail
- Combine lavender lemonade and sparkling wine into the champagne flute.
- Garnish with leftover lavender blossoms if desired.
Tried one of these recipes? Write your comments below!
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