Spirited Cocktails

It’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite cocktail from my week at Tales of the Cocktail. The choices were so varied and plentiful that narrowing down  the list was a difficult task in and of itself. However, if I’m really honest with myself, one cocktail in particular rises to the top. It was prepared for my by Erin Williams, the Cointreau Brand Ambassador (formally of Pegu Club). In actuality, I’m not certain of the name of the cocktail, as it was custom made based on a survey I completed about my cocktail preferences (Tales was just so awesome!) I think the Rosemary Gin Sour adequately explains it though.

Here’s what you’re going to need:

2oz gin (Erin used Hendricks)
3/4oz fresh lemon juice
1/2oz simple syrup
1/2oz Cointreau
2 slices of cucumber
1 sprig of rosemary (plus another for garnish)

In the bottom of a mixing glass, muddle the rosemary and cucumber with the lemon juice and simple syrup. Add the gin, Cointreau, and plenty of ice, and shake well. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice, and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary.

Many thanks to Erin Williams from Cointreau for mixing up my favorite drink at Tales of the Cocktail! Cheers!

The Badminton Cup (also referred to at times as an East Side Cocktail), is the ultimate summer drink. The refreshing combination of cucumber, lime, and mint, along with a healthy dose of quality gin of course, makes for an instant favorite on rooftops, decks, poolside, or wherever you might be enjoying sun and warm weather.

Here’s what you’ll need:

2oz gin
3/4oz simple syrup
5 disc-shaped slices of cucumber for muddling and 2 for garnish
1/2 of a lime cut into 6 chunks –or– 3/4oz of lime juice
1 sprig of mint for muddling and 3-4 for garnish

In the smaller portion of your Boston Shaker (either your pint glass or smaller tin), combine the simple syrup, cucumber slices, and lime (either the 6 lime pieces or the juice), and muddle well to release all the juices and essential oils. Add the sprig of mint and muddle very lightly (just a twist or two.) You’re only looking to release the mint flavors here; over-muddling mint will leave you with a bitter drink. Add the gin, and fill the remainder of the shaker with ice. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously. (A good measure of “the right length of time to shake” is “Until the shaker is too cold to hold,” or at least 10-15 seconds.)

Unseal the shaker and, using a Hawthorn strainer, strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over fresh cubed ice. Garnish with two slices of cucumber and several large sprigs of fresh mint. The garnish is critical here. You really want that fresh mint as an aromatic to go along with this drink.

Warm weather has finally arrived here in New York, and this is the first cocktail I’ve prepared in celebration. I suggest you do the same!

Cheers!