Lemongrass-Lemon Drop Cocktail →

Lemongrass is not just for cooking or flavoring teas! Here’s a slightly exotic version of the classic refreshing, citrusy “Lemon Drop Cocktail”. Replacing plain simple syrup with Lemongrass-infused simple syrup adds a subtle Asian herbal citrus note to the “Lemongrass-Lemon Drop Cocktail”. In my book, Limoncello is indispensable for full appreciation of either the Lemon Drop or the Lemongrass-Lemon Drop. Either way...Tchin Tchin!

Photo: c. foodblogchef 2021

Lemongrass-Lemon Drop Cocktail
Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1-ounce Vodka

• 1-ounce Limoncello

• 1⁄2 ounce Triple sec

• 1-ounce Lemongrass simple syrup (or plain simple syrup for the classic Lemon Drop Cocktail)

• 1-ounce fresh lemon juice

Garnish: Sugar rim (optional) or lemon twist

Preparation:

Make the Lemongrass simple syrup:

1. Chop the lemongrass stalk into 1-inch pieces, and bruise using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin.

2. Place them in a pot with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the syrup infuse for about 2 hours before using.

3. Strain the syrup, pressing down on the lemongrass stalks to extract maximum flavor. Chill until ready to use. Once the syrup is strained, it will keep in your fridge for a couple of weeks.

Assemble the cocktail:

1. Optional: coat the rim of a cocktail glass with sugar and set aside (do this a few minutes ahead of time so the sugar can dry and adhere well to the glass).

2. Add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake.

3. Strain into a coup or small martini glass neat, or a cocktail glass over ice

*Note: Use a citrus-infused vodka for more citrusy depth. Homemade Limoncello, which should be in everyone’s freezer, is a good choice.

Adapted from: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/lemon-drop/#gs.9egdtl

Strawberry Daiquiri →

c. foodblogchef 2020

Every Spring here in the Connecticut River Valley we eagerly await strawberry season. The ruby-red, sweet, succulent berries can be eaten as a healthy snack; they are great in salads or sauces and made into refreshing drinks. This delicious slightly non-traditional daiquiri recipe adds a touch of orange liqueur to balance the lime and add some complexity to the drink.

Makes one good sized daiquiri or two smaller drinks.
Ingredients:

• 4-6 fresh strawberries or frozen, unsweetened (depending on the size)

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 1-2 teaspoons sugar (to taste)

• 2 ounces light rum

• 1 ounce Triple Sec or other orange flavored liqueur (optional)

• ½ cup ice

Add all the ingredients to a blender and process until smooth. Enjoy!

Piña Colada Martini →

Photo: c. foodblogchef 2020

This spirit-forward drink has all the flavor of a classic rum-based Piña Colada, but it is lighter due to the substitution of coconut rum for the heavy, sweet coconut cream. If you like the flavor combination of coconut, pineapple, and citrus, this might become your go-to piña-colada drink. It’s perfect for watching a summer sunset even if you’re not at the beach.

Yield: 2 Coupe glasses

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Vodka

• 1 ounce Coconut Rum

• 1 ounce Triple Sec

• 1 ounce Roses lime

• 1 ½ ounces pineapple juice

• ½ sliced round of lime or orange

Preparation:

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ½ cup of ice and shake until the shaker is well frosted, about 20-30 seconds.

Serve in your favorite cocktail glass

Cosmopolitan →

The Cosmo is one of those drinks that goes down so easily, you have to pace yourself. You get extra points if you peel the grapes. Cheers!

Yield: 1 large Cosmo, or two smaller drinks.

Photo: c. foodblogchef 2019 - Two Grape Cosmo
Copy and paste to print the recipe.

TWO GRAPE COSMO
Yield 1 large Cosmo or two smaller
Ingredients:
3 parts Vodka
1 1/2 or 2 parts Cranberry Juice (to taste)
1 part Rose’s Lime Juice
1 part Triple Sec
garnish with grapes, a half-round of sliced orange, or lime.

Preparation:
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with a cup of ice; shake for about 20 seconds; strain into a martini or coupe glass; garnish. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 parts Vodka

• 1 1/2 or 2 parts Cranberry Juice (to taste)

• 1 part Rose’s Lime Juice

• 1 part Triple Sec

• garnish with grapes, a half-round of sliced orange, or lime.

Preparation:

Combine the ingredients in a shaker with a cup of ice; shake for about 20 seconds; strain into a martini or coupe glass; garnish. Enjoy!