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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

h.