We’ve got the winners for the best Summer Cocktails.
Our friend Sommer had a cocktail contest on her blog A Spicy Perspective and asked me to judge what would be the best cocktail recipe for the summer season: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. First, I want to thank Sommer for including Villeroy & Boch in this contest. Second, I want to thank all those who entered their original and fabulous recipes. It was really a hard choice. So, I closed my eyes and imagined summer…toes in the sand, garden overflowing, sunshine and salty air…every muscle in my body loose and relaxed, except for my right hand holding something refreshing and wonderful. Below are the (2) winners of something refreshing and wonderful to add to your summer.
Recipe: Frozen Tart Cherrytini
Servings: 4
12 pitted tart cherries
2 Meyer lemons
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 cups tart cherry juice, chilled
1 1/2 cups vodka
2 cups of ice cubes
• Thread 3 tart cherries onto each (4-inch) cocktail pick or skewer and keep them in the freezer until they are ready to serve.
• Zest one Meyer lemon onto a shallow dish, mix together with sugar, set aside. Cut lemon in halves and “rub” the cut-side of the lemon against the rims of the 4 (10oz) martini glasses. Dip the rims of the glasses into the lemon-sugar. With a vegetable peeler, peel the other Meyer lemon. In a large pitcher, twist the lemon peels to extract the natural oil, and leave the peels inside the pitcher after the twisting and squeezing.
• Squeeze the juice from both lemons into the pitcher and add the cherry juice and vodka. Fill a cocktail shaker with 1 cup of ice. Pour 1/2 of the vodka mixture into the cocktail shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds.
• Pour into 2 of the prepared glasses. Repeat with the remaining vodka mixture. Place a cocktail pick with frozen tart cherries onto each glass and serve.
Recipe: Guava Hibiscus Soda (non-alcoholic)
¼ cup dry hibiscus flowers
3 guavas, finely sliced
2 cups cane sugar
½ Tsp. salt
juice from 1 lemon
1 vanilla bean, halved and seeded
1 Tsp. rose water
• In a large non reactive saucepan combine 12 cups of cold water with ¼ cup of dried hibiscus flowers. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Discard flowers and set liquid aside.
• In saucepan combine chopped guava with 3 ½ cups of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat; simmer for 30 minutes.
• In a sieve strain the fruit, pressing the pulp to extract juice. Discard pulp and return liquid to the saucepan.
• Over medium high heat, stir in sugar and salt. Bring to a rapid boil stirring often until thickened and dime size bubbles surface to the top.
• Carefully add 2 cups of reserved hibiscus tea, lemon juice, rose water, vanilla bean and seeds. Bring liquid to a boil and remove from heat. Let stand for 1 hour.
• Store syrup in a sealed bottle in the fridge. Lasts up to 2 weeks.
• To make soda, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour 1 ½ tablespoons of the syrup on top. Fill the glass with fresh seltzer water and stir to combine.
And, as the old adage goes, complete the post with a toast to the host of this contest, Sommer Collier. Don’t miss her other great summer recipes like Grilled Peach & Chipotle Salsa, Fresh Strawberry Pistachio Crumble and Affogato Al Cafe.
Recipe: Raspberry Basil Mojito
1 cup simple syrup ( 3/4 cup sugar + 3/4 cup water, heated to dissolve)
1/2 cup torn basil leaves
1 cup FRESH key lime juice (use regular limes for slightly less acidity)
2 cups white rum
1/4 cup Chambord (raspberry liquor)
1 liter club soda
ice
fresh raspberries and lime slices to garnish
• Pour the cooled simple syrup in a large pitcher and add the torn basil leaves. Use a large spoon/ladle to muddle the basil leaves so they release their flavor–beat them up pretty well.
• Add the lime juice, rum and Chambord. Stir.
• Add the club soda, stir, and top with ice if the pitcher allows.
• To serve: Garnish each glass with fresh berries and lime slices. Serve over ice or chilled without ice.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6 – 8
Both of the Summer Cocktail winners received a prize of (4) Modern Grace Martini Glasses. Congratulations!
