I’ll be honest, I know how to work a wine opener, twist off a cap, pull up a tab, and even pop open a cork. However, I am no bartender. Usually, when it comes time to make a cocktail (our old standby is a Hendrick’s martini with blue cheese stuffed olives), C is on duty. But, the sun was shining and he was leaving work early Sunday. So, it was up to me! Thought process— Summer Cocktails to go along with the sunshine and “early work departure”.
I immediately thought of fresh produce. Why not? I planned on making one with vodka and one with tequila. So… after some inspiration on Pinterest, I started brainstorming. We don’t like anything overly sweet. I thought watermelon and grapefruit sounded like a good start.
For the first one- I chose watermelon, we had a handful of sweet strawberries so I thought that would help give a little added sweetness, I blended the fruit with coconut water for the liquid. It still needed a little sweetness so I added a drizzle of agave and some lime juice. I figured that would go well with some spice of a jalapeno so I put a couple of slices in that to settle. That part was all made ahead of time and sat in the fridge in a mason jar waiting for some tequila, a salt rim with some Korean chili flakes, a couple of floating jalapeno slices, and some club soda.
Pink Coconut Cocktail Prep
The other one, I decided on blending up two grapefruits. They were juicy so really didn’t need any liquid (though I guess technically neither did the watermelon, I just wanted the coconut water in there). I put a couple of pieces of rosemary in there too because I was hoping to balance it out. Also, I let it sit with a spring of rosemary in the mason jar, as well as later serving it with one in the glass as a garnish to fancy it up! When ready to serve this one got vodka, my favorite part which was a dollop of real raspberry jam, some club soda, and some grapefruit sparkling soda Note- this I totally thought was grapefruit sparkling water when I bought it so now we have a case of this drink that tastes delicious but has way more sugar than I thought I was buying. Take that as a lesson…read your labels! I definitely have to practice on that.
Grapefruit Fizz Prep
My drinks were prepped and ready to go. When Bell started barking that dad was pulling in the driveway I headed straight towards the fridge to get out my mason jars. I planned on the watermelon drink which I dubbed “Pink Coconut Cocktail” first and the “Grapefruit Fizz” would follow. First went the tequila, then I shook up my juice and started pouring. DOHHHH! I pulled the wrong mason jar! By now C was walking in and saw my face. I was so dejected! I was in such a hurry for my long awaited Mixologist debut that I botched it up!
Finished Product!
After settling down and wiping up the counter, the correct drinks were poured and we enjoyed them on the deck- Summer Cocktails to go along with the sunshine! I think they were both pretty tasty despite my label reading and wrong drink pouring mishaps. I’ll have to put my thinking cap on for next time.
Cheers!