Spring is a time of renewal. It's also a great time to create fresh and invigorating cocktails. Refreshing citrus fruits like lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit are in full juiciness. It's also the season to start using clear, clean easily mixable spirits like vodka, gin & pisco. As the sun begins to shine well into the evening, we've created a few new fresh creations, and upped the ante on a few classics, for you to enjoy on the porch.
SPRING RECIPES:
Simple Syrup
(make 1 quart)
24oz (3 cups) water
3 cups organic sugar
Boil water in a pot and stir in sugar until thick and dissolved. Let cool down and place into a bottle or container.
Simple syrup can also be infused with flavors such as ginger, strawberry, lemongrass and mint and used in a variety of cocktails to add a unique twist.
Ginger Syrup
(makes 1 quart)
8oz (1 cup) unpeeled,
washed, fresh ginger, roughly chopped
1 pint (2 cups) water
Process ginger chunks in a food processor of blender until finely chopped. Place in a large stock pot. Add sugar and water to the pot and stir. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for one hour until a rich syrup is created. Strain the syrup twice through a sieve twice through a sieve into a large jar or bottled. Refrigerate.
Strawberry Syrup
(makes 1 quart )
2 cups fresh strawberries quartered (can use frozen)
1 pint (2 cups) organic sugar
1 pint (2 cups) water
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved. Mix strawberries into saucepan and bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until strawberries are mushy and sauce is thick, about 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve into a large jar or bottled. Refrigerate.
Fresh Lemonade
(makes 1/2 gallon)
1 quart (4 cups) filtered water
1 pint (2 cups) simple syrup (1 to 1 organic sugar to filter boiled water)
1 pint (2 cups) fresh lemon juice (about 12 lemons)
Measure and mix all ingredients in a pitcher, add ice and let marinate. You can drink this on its own or even simply add a touch of vodka, gin or whisky. We like to use this for a wide range of spring/summer cocktails.
To make ginger or strawberry lemonade, substitute ginger or strawberry syrup for simple syrup.
