BY CHRIS SCHALLER
WE’RE IN the midst of
peak growing season,
with green-thumbs’
gardens and farmers
markets in full swing.
One of my favorite pastimes is tending my
garden and incorporating an array of fresh fruits, vegetables and
herbs into new cuisine and cocktail creations. Many classic cocktails can be elevated by including fresh local produce in the
core recipe or using it as a vibrant garnish.
Handcrafted cocktails continue to skyrocket in popularity. A great cocktail begins
with a distilled spirit that will support and
balance the addition of other flavors. One
mixologist favorite is a high-proof aged
spirit like bourbon, which can add beautiful
layers of brown spices, vanilla and dried
fruit to a cocktail.
However, at this time of year I like to
reach for a spirit like vodka or gin, which
will allow seasonal fresh-picked ingredients
to shine and thirst-quenching acidity to be
the focal point.
Vodka, often considered the most versatile spirit, is neutral in flavor and the
foundation for a variety of drinks. One of
my favorite cocktails is a Moscow Mule,
made with Kirkland Signature American
Vodka, fresh ginger beer and lime juice.
This crisp cocktail has a sharp acidity that
marries perfectly with summer sweets like
watermelon, blueberries or strawberries.
Gin, on the other hand, is a fragrant
spirit, often distilled with botanicals like
juniper, coriander and orange peel. A simple cocktail like a gimlet can be made with
Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin, simple
syrup and lime juice.
To elevate a gimlet into a day-drinking
staple, you can add cucumber slices and
mint leaves, which will complement the
delicate infused flavors inherent to gin.
Summer cocktails
with garden favorites
©
L
ORI
E
A
NE
S
/
OF
F
SE
T.C
OM
GIN HARVEST
1 ounce lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup
4 cucumber slices, divided
4 mint leaves
2 ounces gin
Add lime juice, simple syrup, 3 cucumber
slices and most of the mint to a cocktail mixing
tin or shaker and muddle. Add ice and gin,
shake, strain into a glass and garnish with
a cucumber slice and remaining mint.
Makes 1 serving.
THECOSTCOCONNECTION
You’ll ;nd a selection of ;ne spirits,
including Kirkland Signature™ varieties,
at Costco locations where spirits are sold.
SIGNATURE BELLS
1 ounce lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup
¼ red bell pepper, roasted and diced
1 ounce chopped cilantro, plus a sprig for
garnish
2 ounces gin
Add lime juice, simple syrup, bell pepper and
chopped cilantro to a cocktail mixing tin or
shaker and muddle. Add ice and gin, shake and
strain into a rocks glass with ice; garnish with
cilantro sprig. Makes 1 serving.
MOSCOW MELON
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce lime juice
5 1-inch cubes of watermelon
Ginger beer
1 watermelon slice, for garnish
Lime wedge, for garnish
Add vodka, lime juice and watermelon cubes to
a cocktail mixing tin and muddle. Add ice and
shake. Strain and pour over ice in a copper mug
or rocks glass. Add ginger beer and garnish with
watermelon slice and lime wedge.
Makes 1 serving.
BERRY BASIL MOJITO
1 ounce lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup
4 blackberries, divided
4 raspberries, divided
2 basil leaves, divided
2 ounces vodka
Add lime juice, simple syrup, 2 blackberries,
2 raspberries and 1 basil leaf to cocktail mixing tin
and muddle. Add vodka and ice to shaker, shake.
Strain over ice in a rocks glass, garnish with basil
leaf and remaining berries. Makes 1 serving.
All recipes courtesy of the mixologist team at Bosscat
Kitchen and Libations in Newport Beach, California.
And the
living
is easy
Try one of the refreshing cocktail recipes featured here, or venture out on your
own. You’ll be surprised by how well fresh
produce can take a classic cocktail to a whole
new level. C
Chris Schaller is a buyer in Costco’s wine,
spirits and beer department.
FOR YOUR TABLE
