Above, our liquor cabinet. It is ready for summer.
Summer is quickly approaching and before we know it we’ll be wearing less clothing and complaining about the heat instead of the cold. I want to make sure we are ready for it by finding an appropriate (or inappropriate!) cocktail to sooth ourselves with all summer long. Last year we had a couple of contenders and my friend Katie served as judge. This year I am turning to you, dear readers, for help. I need ideas for refreshing summer cocktails. Think: fresh fruit, herbs, and infused simple syrups! You know my style, seasonal, local, beautiful! Extra points for original creations, so all of you mixologists should start inventing now. No recipe too simple or too complicated! Post recipes in the comments below or feel free to email me (tim at lottieanddoof.com) with ideas. All ideas should be submitted by June 1st. I’ll narrow it down to 3 finalists and then we can all decide on the cocktail that will help us survive the long, hot, (and fun) summer ahead of us.
Skoal!
Kathryn says:
May 24th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
I don’t know how to make it. I don’t know if the proportions are correct. Think of all the fun you might have trying. I read a review of a restaurant out here called Bazaar. I’m in Los Angeles. They serve some frothy smoking signature drink which features liquid nitrogen or some craziness, but then a reviewer mentioned something called the Uva Bella, which this bartender makes to perfection. I googled it and came up with a recipe. Not sure if it originated out here or in New York. I’ve yet to try it, but I’m dying to. Help a sister out, Lottie + Doof! Here it is:
Uva Bella Cocktail
5 green grapes, plus 1 sliver for garnish
2 ounces gin, preferably Plymouth
1/2 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
Dash orange bitters
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the grapes. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and bitters, then ice. Shake vigorously for 6 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a sliver of grape.
Tim says:
May 24th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Whoa, Kathryn! We’re off to a great start, thanks for that.
The French says:
May 24th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Will work on it!
Erin says:
May 24th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
While living in Kenya for a year many restaurants had a delicious drink called a Chini Chini or Dawa
2 shots vodka
tablespoon honey
teaspoon brown sugar
1 lime
ice
I like to add a bit of sprite and mint to make it a little more like a mojito.
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } says:
May 24th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Love your cocktail cabinet – so cool! One of my favorites during the summer is the Salty Dog! So simple to make yet so refreshing and tasty:
2 oz. Vodka
4 oz. Fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice or the best store bought version
Salt for rimming
Rim a highball glass with salt. Fill glass with ice cubes. Add vodka and grapefruit juice and stir.
Enjoy!
mika says:
May 24th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
I have been a fan of your site ever since my friend made me your bacon pasta!
I am happy to finally be able to contribute!
I love love plum sake, and here are several Japanese cocktails using them!
1)Amazuppa (which just means sweet and sour)
Plum sake- 25 ml
Dry gin- 15 ml
Fresh grape fruit juice 15 ml
a splash of grenadine!
shake and serve over ice.
2)hana fubuki (flower storm)
plum sake -30ml
Dry gin- 10ml
extra dry martini 10ml
cranberry juice 10ml
Katrine says:
May 25th, 2010 at 2:57 am
Gin and bitter orange, perfect before-dinner-drink.
Mix a stronger-than-usual gin+tonic with your favourite gin, lots of ice and slices of lime.
Squeeze red orange (the darker, the better) and add juice to G+T
Pulp or dices of red orange can be added optionaly, if you like it messy :)
Tim says:
May 25th, 2010 at 5:54 am
these are great. thanks for the ideas. keep them coming!
Laura [What I Like] says:
May 25th, 2010 at 9:24 am
I just made some rhubarb syrup and have been liking it with gin, soda water and lime juice.
Debi says:
May 25th, 2010 at 9:26 am
A refreshing but kiss a@* summer drink……
1/2 oz ketel one (or any other good vodka)
1/2 oz amaretto
fill with 1/2 champagne and 1/2 orange juice
garnish with an orange wedge
kari says:
May 25th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Anything with St. Germain is on my list this summer! There’s a local bar here that makes a great aperitif they call the Cherry Blossom Special, which is a St. Germain cocktail with a splash of Kirschwasser, so:
1.5 oz. St. Germain
2 oz. prosecco (or cava)
2 oz. soda
Splash of Kirschwasser (about a tablespoon, I’ve found)
Garnished with a lemon twist!
Serve in a collins glass filled with ice. Be sure to stir in the St. Germain in thoroughly. Since it’s heavier than wine, it sinks to the bottom unless you mix it well. So excited to try that Uva Bella one above!
Tim says:
May 25th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Whoa! These all sound so good. Thanks for all of the good ideas, folks.
Melissa says:
May 25th, 2010 at 10:55 am
I’m going with Anvil’s Top 100 list….#89 Suffering Bastard
1 oz gin
1 oz brandy
1/2 oz. Rose’s Lime
2 dashes Angosture Bitters
4 oz Ginger Beer
Claire Zulkey says:
May 25th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I love Pimm’s: such a great summery mixer. I think Pimm’s Royals are a very fun, festive yet easy party drink:
* 1 1/2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
* Champagne
* Lemon /Orange
* Cucumber
Chris says:
May 25th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Strawberry Sotol
1.5 oz Hacienda de Chihuahua sotol
.5 tarragon syrup
.5 lemon
barspoon balsamic reduction
10 black peppercorns
1 strawberry
In mixing glass muddle the strawberry and black peppercorns. Add remaining ingredients and ice, shake vigorously, then double strain using fine tea strainer into chilled cocktail glass.
Meg says:
May 25th, 2010 at 11:53 am
vodka, ginger beer, and lots of lime…..the moscow mule i believe. SO refreshing and purely summer.
kristen says:
May 25th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
hendricks and sazerac? nice!
i recommend the corpse reviver #2 (recently rediscovered recipe). i had it for the first time at slow club in san francisco and loved it.
1 oz gin
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz Lillet blanc
1 oz fresh lemon juice
2 drops absinthe
Combine in a shaker with cracked ice; shake and strain.
Nishta says:
May 26th, 2010 at 7:41 am
lovely liquor cabinet! I see some of my favorites in there–Hendrink’s & Laphroaig, especially.
last year for Memorial Day, I tried my hand at an interpretation of the strawberry-basil margaritas I’ve enjoyed at a bar here in Houston. the basic formula is fresh basil muddled in tequila + strawberry simple syrup + limes + a splash of Cointreau. very summery!
also a big fan of the easy gin shandy (lemonade + gin + ginger beer) which I bet would be extra lovely with your homemade ginger beer.
Laurence says:
May 26th, 2010 at 7:42 am
There is this easy drink called a Diamant I love which we drank under the Montréal sun:)
Mmmmm the memory of this drink is enough to make me cry while I pack my bags to leave my lovely Holland to come back home…
1/2 glass of cider, 1/2 of litchi liquor.
Served cold cold cold.
Katherine Sharpe says:
May 26th, 2010 at 8:39 am
It’s definitely not a summer drink, but I like to see Laphroaig standing tall & proud in yr liquor cabinet. :)
Maggi says:
May 26th, 2010 at 9:19 am
This one sounds so humble and pedestrian after some of the other drinks listed above– but it’s been a staple at my family’s summer gatherings for as long as I can remember. It’s simply 2 parts lemonade to 1 part red wine, blended with ice. No specialty ingredients, no particularly careful measuring, superfast to make, very refreshing.
kickpleat says:
May 26th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I went to Poppy in Seattle and sipped the best drink with the best name – A Dog Named Turnip. I wanted to recreate it but haven’t done so yet. The vague ingredient list was a honey-ginger syrup, apple jack (calvados?) and allspice dram (allspice bitters?) all shaken in a cocktail shaker. Maybe lime would be good too. I think it would make for a perfect drink anytime.
Monica says:
May 26th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I recently visited Chicago. I went to Floriole, The Publican and The Violet Hour. All were excellent. Thank you for the suggestions!
kari says:
May 26th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Also, the Washington Post’s booze columnist just posted an article about habanero- and jalapeno-infused liquor (that you infuse at home yourself) and some delightful accompanying drink recipes. Not sure of the link, but you should see if you can find it!
caitlin says:
May 26th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
My favorite summer drinks (or for the week anyway – I like to audition lots of options) are the Red + Black from Back Forty and Moon Safari from The Breslin, both in NYC.
Red + Black: tequila, fresh strawberries, fresh lime juice over ice. Rim with sugar and freshly cracked pepper. I top it with a bit of sparkling water for the fizz.
Moon Safari: blanco tequila with fresh pineapple, tarragon and fresh lime juice.
I actually posted about both of them this week, if you want to see the pictures of them too … great timing!
Can’t wait to see what you guys pick. Wish I could be there for the tastings!
Jenna says:
May 27th, 2010 at 7:56 am
I’m a big fan of combining whatever fresh fruit and herbs are on hand with some liquor. It’s watermelon season here in Cairo (where it’s kind of always summer) and I’ve been whipping up pitchers of Watermelon Mojitos.
2 parts watermelon pulp and juice
1 part white rum
1 part sparkling water
mint
I muddle the mint and watermelon in the bottom of the pitcher, add the rum, and then the sparkling water. A fun twist on everyone’s favorite summer drink…
Edith-Nicole says:
May 27th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Blackberry Mojito (or I guess any seasonal berry that’s a good combo of sweet and tart would do)
Mash 1/2 cup berries with juice from 1 lime and about 10 chopped up fresh mint leaves. Top with 2 ounces of rum. Stir, pour over ice in a Collins glass, add some soda water.
Edith-Nicole says:
May 27th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Oh wait – I forgot a key part in the blackberry mojito recipe. Mash the berries, mint and lime juice with about a tablespoon of sugar.
Pam says:
May 27th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Fun assignment!! I am always in charge of coming up with “THE” drink of the summer so here are two big hits.
MInted Vodka Lemonade
3c Absolute Citron
2c fresh mint
2c fresh lemon juice
1 1/3c sugar
Put all ing in a big glass jar. Stir together and bruise the mint with a wooden spoon(I know it sounds mean) Let steep in the fridge for several hours. Strain into a pitcher,add a little water or club soda to taste. Serve over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs. Enjoy!
2010 Drink
Pond Water
1/3c simple syrup
1c vodka
1/2c Limoncello
1/2c fresh lime juice
limes slices and thyme sprigs for garnish
Mix together in a lg jar. Serve over ice with a splash of club soda. Garnish with thyme and lime.
Beth says:
May 27th, 2010 at 10:58 am
A couple of favorites from Beretta, a truly wonderful SF restaurant:
hemingway
white rum, lime, cane syrup, maraschino, grapefruit
airmail
rum, honey, lime, prosecco
improved whiskey cocktail
rye, bitters, dubonnet, absinthe, maraschino
I’m sure you could play with those ingredients and produce something fab.
Tracy says:
May 27th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Last summer a truck stacked with crates of limes came through our street. Lucky for us, one crate jumped to its freedom. Neighbors collided as they picked up lime after stray lime. We ended up with quite a bounty. Without an idea, we turned to Joy of Cooking. There’s a recipe for rosemary infused limeade. It was very good. Set up a tall glass with ice and join vodka with limeade mixture…another twist of lime for presentation-sake and you’re all set.
Tim says:
May 27th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
These are all such good ideas! Nice work, everyone. I want a drink.
Elizabeth says:
May 27th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Hi Tim! I hope I’m not too late. It’s not original to me, but I’ve been loving the “Silent Encore” (chartreuse, lime, basil) that I found via Drink Well http://thedrinkwell.blogspot.com/2009/09/silent-encore_21.html
There’s nothing that makes me feel more summer than fresh basil! Good luck! Wish I could be there taste testing with you…
Susan says:
May 28th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Yes, I’m loving all the basil that’s been mentioned!
I had this a few weeks ago at a great Melbourne bar, to mourn the passing of our summer.
I believe it was called a Red Ruby.
Mash 3 very ripe strawberries with a teaspoon of caster sugar and pass through a sieve into a cocktail shaker.
Muddle with 3 torn basil leaves, a hearty splash of balsamic vinegar and pinch of freshly cracked black pepper.
Add in some ice cubes, pour in 2 oz vodka or gin (depends on your preference, I used Hendrick’s and LOVED it) and shake. Serve with a slice of strawberry, a basil leaf and another pinch of black pepper on top.
Summer in a glass. Yum!
Tim says:
May 28th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Whoa, Susan, that sounds excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Jerry says:
May 28th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Rum Punch!
3oz Lime Juice
6oz simple syrup
9-12 oz rum (I used spiced rum, the clear Captain Morgans stuff)
12 oz water
dash of grated nutmeg
a few dashes of Angostura Bitters
a dash of grenadine (optional)
Mix it up and serve with ice. Spent an entire summer in the Caribbean doing archaeology by day and drinking these by night. :-D
Deena says:
May 29th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Oh summer cocktails… now I can’t wait for the sun to break through these Portland clouds. My favorite non-originals are the rosemary-cucumber-tequila cocktail the Sueño, which is just sweet enough, and totally herbal-refreshing:
http://mostlyfoodstuffs.blogspot.com/2009/07/sueno-rosemary-cucumber-tequila.html
and this sweet-but-light peach basil sangria:
http://mostlyfoodstuffs.blogspot.com/2009/07/peach-basil-sangria.html
Freestyling on my own, I’m fond of fruity spins on Tom Collinses, like this:
http://mostlyfoodstuffs.blogspot.com/2009/06/raspberry-basil-collins.html
or made with a rhubarb syrup:
http://mostlyfoodstuffs.blogspot.com/2010/05/rhubarb-syrup.html
I also recently made a pineapple mojito, which I think will get top billing this summer:
~1/4 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 handful mint leaves
2 shots rum
1 1/2 shots lime juice
soda water
Muddle together the pineapple, mint and sugar (use the handle of a wooden spoon if your muddler is in the shop), until the pineapple is reduced to bits and small chunks, and the mint is well-bruised and torn a bit. Add the rum and lime, shake with ice, taste, and pour into ice-filled glasses. Top off with soda water.
Susan L. says:
May 29th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Tim, I had one of these at Portland, Maine’s “Harvest on the Harbour” last Fall, and loved it.
White Cranberry Cucumber Spritzer
In a shaker, muddle a 1″ piece of peeled cucumber.
Add: 1 1/2 oz. Twenty 2 vodka
3 oz. white cranberry juice
Fill shaker with ice, shake hard, and double strain over fresh ice. Top off with Sprite or 7-UP.
By the way, I’ve tried the Milk Liqueur (divine!), and Lemon Olive wafers you’ve blogged about.. Those wafers are dangerous. I ate every single one of them although I had truly intended to share.
Shane says:
May 29th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
The Hungry Cat in Santa Barbara is serving up two of my favorite summer cocktails.
Cucumber Martini:
Hendrick’s gin, cucmber juice, & lime juice. Up or on the rocks. I prefer it up.
Campanita:
chili infused tequila, orangejuice, lemon juice, & pixie tangerine simple syrup
Finally a perfect drink for a hot afternoon while grilling out:
The Martinez, for 1
from Tom Perini’s Texas Cowboy Cookbook
1 shot tequila
splash of controy
splash of pickled jalapeño brine
1 – 2 pickled jalapeño rounds
1 lime wedge
1 cold Mexican beer of choice
Combine all ingredients, reserving the beer. Sip the martinez slowly adding beer to the mix as you work your way down. Laura of Cloves and Cream taught me this one.
Mar says:
May 30th, 2010 at 10:49 am
hi!
1 oz white rum
1 glass of fresh pineapple juice
spearmint
brown sugar
ice
mix and enjoy the caribbean mojito!
Caffettiera says:
May 31st, 2010 at 7:58 am
The first thing I noticed in you cabinet is that you have Campari, so I’d advise you to try the ‘spritz’, a typical drink we have in the region around Venice with the aperitivo, very refreshing and summery:
a little campari and fizzy white whine (usually prosecco), served with an orange or a lemon rind and plenty of ice. Optionally you can add some fizzy water to make it even more refreshing and lighter.
I can’t remember how many times I cycled home with my daddy in the hot summer countryside, after drinking with him a spritz and eating a couple of boiled cuttlefishes with it. It was summer itself to me.
effie says:
May 31st, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Pimms, Buderim Ginger Refresher and soda water.
Simple, gingery, bubbly, cold and fresh… basically wonderful.
Natalie (The City Sisters) says:
June 1st, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Phew…just made it!
This is going to be my drink of choice this summer. Cool and refreshing!
Garden Cocktail
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 oz Hendrick’s Gin
4 1/2 oz Cucumber purée
PREPARATION
To make cucumber purée, blend 1 cucumber, 3 oz Fresh lemon juice and 4 oz simple syrup. Shake all ingredients well and serve over ice. Garnish with sliced cucumber.
Karin's mom says:
June 1st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Tim,
you want farm picked strawberries when Karin come back from home?
Mom Winters
Tim says:
June 1st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
of course i do!
please and thank you! xo
Caroline says:
June 1st, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Thank God you did this so I have ideas of what to drink all summer long. My new thing is old school mint julep. Need to buy silver glasses.
Erin says:
June 4th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I wrote about our wedding punch on my blog last year. It was pretty dang good!
Michael and Erin’s Punch Drunk Love (makes one drink)
Gin 1 oz (30 ml)
Dubonnet 1/2 oz (15 ml)
Tonic 5 oz (150 ml)
Lime juice 1/3 oz (10 ml)
Ice
Lime to garnish
To read the story behind the creation, check out this post: http://www.thingsworthmaking.com/search?q=punch+drunk
I love that you include drinks in your recipes, Tim!
Edith-Nicole says:
June 7th, 2010 at 7:07 am
One more to add to the mix: http://www.cakeandedith.com/2010/06/st-germain-pineapple-martini.html