I think Andy has quite a knack for cocktail crafting which works out quite well for me! It all started with a trip to Jackson a couple of years ago when we were introduced to Backporch Lemonade by EJ and Alicen (next time we make a batch, I'll post the recipe). It has become our signature celebration cocktail... we even served it during our wedding weekend!
Then on a subsequent trip, EJ made a mint simple syrup that we now consider a staple in our fridge. Andy first infused vodka after we had a refreshing cocktail that was made with ginger vodka. We couldn't find that at our neighborhood liquor store, so he made it.
While we were in Dallas over 4th of July, I had a cocktail at Hibiscus that was one of most memorable cocktails I've had in a while. My go to cocktail is a vodka gimlet, so when I saw a Cucumber Basil Gimlet on their cocktail menu, I was intrigued but not sold. See, I don't like cucumbers but I do love basil. I decided to go for it, and I was not disappointed. Since then I've been chatting about it ever since, Andy infused some vodkas over the weekend, so we could try to recreate it.
Chop fruit, vegetables, herbs or spices of your choice. We went with oranges, cucumbers, cherry and fresh ginger.
Add vodka.
Cover (not pictured) and let steep for 48 hours to 2 weeks.
I'm not a very patient person, so right as the clock struck 48 hours Andy made me the cocktail on Sunday. If it wasn't just the same as the original, it was equally as refreshing and delicious.
Cucumber Basil Gimlet
1 1/2 oz cucumber vodka
3/4 oz Rose's lime juice
Limes
Lemon Zest
Basil
Muddle basil leaves with lime juice and lemon zest in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cucumber vodka, Rose's lime juice and fresh squeezed lime juice. Shake and pour over ice.
Then the cherry vodka was just calling my name... so we came up with a Cherry Lemonade cocktail.
Cherry Lemonade
1 part cherry vodka
1 part lemonade
Shake together with ice and serve.
While the color of the cherry vodka is as pretty as can be, it still needs to infuse a bit longer for some flavor...
Then on a subsequent trip, EJ made a mint simple syrup that we now consider a staple in our fridge. Andy first infused vodka after we had a refreshing cocktail that was made with ginger vodka. We couldn't find that at our neighborhood liquor store, so he made it.
While we were in Dallas over 4th of July, I had a cocktail at Hibiscus that was one of most memorable cocktails I've had in a while. My go to cocktail is a vodka gimlet, so when I saw a Cucumber Basil Gimlet on their cocktail menu, I was intrigued but not sold. See, I don't like cucumbers but I do love basil. I decided to go for it, and I was not disappointed. Since then I've been chatting about it ever since, Andy infused some vodkas over the weekend, so we could try to recreate it.
Chop fruit, vegetables, herbs or spices of your choice. We went with oranges, cucumbers, cherry and fresh ginger.
Add vodka.
Cover (not pictured) and let steep for 48 hours to 2 weeks.
I'm not a very patient person, so right as the clock struck 48 hours Andy made me the cocktail on Sunday. If it wasn't just the same as the original, it was equally as refreshing and delicious.
1 1/2 oz cucumber vodka
3/4 oz Rose's lime juice
Limes
Lemon Zest
Basil
Muddle basil leaves with lime juice and lemon zest in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cucumber vodka, Rose's lime juice and fresh squeezed lime juice. Shake and pour over ice.
Then the cherry vodka was just calling my name... so we came up with a Cherry Lemonade cocktail.
Cherry Lemonade
1 part cherry vodka
1 part lemonade
Shake together with ice and serve.
While the color of the cherry vodka is as pretty as can be, it still needs to infuse a bit longer for some flavor...
Oh. . . I love it! I have to try this. If you infuse some vodka before you head to California next week it will be ready for the beach when you get back. Hint, Hint!
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