Garden cocktails
In my last post, I forgot to mention another reason for gardening: making cocktails, of course! Here are two of my favorites with garden-fresh ingredients as the focus:
Mamani Gin & Tonic (from The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart)
- 1½ oz. gin (Uncle Val’s Botanical or Aviation works well for G&T)
- 3 slices jalapeño, seeded and cored
- 2 sprigs cilantro
- 2 slices cucumber
- tonic water (I use Canada Dry or Fentimans)
- 2 cherry tomatoes
- cocktail shaker, muddler, strainer, bar spoon, highball glass, cocktail pick
Steps:
- Add gin, 2 slices jalapeño, 1 sprig cilantro, and 1 slice cucumber to shaker and muddle
- Fill highball glass with ice and top with 1 slice jalapeño, 1 sprig cilantro, and 1 slice cucumber
- Strain cocktail into glass, fill with tonic water, and stir briefly
- Skewer cherry tomatoes on the pick and garnish the drink
Mandalay Mojito (my Southeast Asian take on the Cuban classic)
- 2 oz. light rum (I like Flor de Caña Extra Dry 4)
- 1 oz. lemongrass syrup (see below)
- ¼ lime wedge plus lime wheel
- ½ tsp sugar
- 3 sprigs Thai basil
- lemongrass stalk
- soda water
- cocktail shaker, muddler, strainer, bar spoon, highball glass
Steps:
- Add lime wedge, sugar, and two sprigs Thai basil to shaker and muddle
- Add rum, lemongrass syrup, and ice, and shake until chilled
- Fill highball glass with ice and add lime wheel and lemongrass stalk
- Strain cocktail into glass, fill with soda water, and stir briefly
- Garnish with sprig of Thai basil
Lemongrass syrup
- 2 stalks lemongrass, core only, chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Small saucepan, strainer, glass container
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan
- Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring to dissolve sugar
- Remove from heat and cool to room temperature
- Strain into glass container and store in the refrigerator
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