Labor Day Libations

The final days of summer. How could this be? Summer seems to slip away more quickly every passing year. Anyway, Labor Day weekend is the perfect finale to the sunny season as well as an excuse to throw an unforgettable cocktail party. Make the most of this weekend enjoying the sunshine poolside with this week's classy cocktail, which is aptly named The Last Summer Friday. This beverage is best sipped slowly while basking under the sun. Cheers!

The Last Summer Friday
1 1/2 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. lavender syrup
3 fresh, muddled strawberries
3 oz. club soda
1 lemon wedge
1 strawberry slice

Squeeze half a lemon into a tall glass, add lavender syrup, and gin. Stir and fill with ice. Top with club soda, and garnish with a lemon wedge and a strawberry slice.

photo courtesy of Slim Aarons

A Perfect Storm

With tropical storms hitting and hurricane season in full swing, many of us will be stuck inside this rainy weekend. What better way to liven up the evening then mixing up a few cocktails with enjoyable company? This weekend's cocktail is appropriately named The Perfect Storm and is a tasty mojito-like beverage with a gingery twist. Go ahead and find someplace to gather indoors, start muddling those mint leaves and pouring these libations generously. Cheers!

The Perfect Storm

Muddle 5 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice.

Add 1 ¼ ounces rum

¾ ounce ginger liqueur (Domaine de Canton preferred)

¾ ounce lime juice

½ ounce simple syrup.

Shake vigorously & strain into a cocktail glass

Top off with 1 ounce ginger beer. Garnish with a mint leaf.

Listen to the Ice

Happy Wednesday! The week is now half way done and that right there is reason to celebrate. The Papa Doble has been a favorite of mine ever since stumbling upon the delicious concoction last spring in the weekly How's Your Drink section of the WSJ. This daiquiri has quite some history, as it was Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink and recognized as "Hemingway's Daiquiri". Although the drink may not be new, it's fairly new to me and I certainly appreciate a carefully made cocktail sans sugar and neon green mix. So sit back and enjoy, I know you won't be disappointed. Cheers! 

Papa Doble

2 oz white rum 

1 oz fresh lime juice 

½ oz fresh grapefruit juice 

¼ oz maraschino liqueur 

1½ to 2 cups shaved ice 

Combine in blender until foaming & serve in a large cocktail glass.

 

WSJ.com