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BEHIND THE STICK - with Patrick McCormick
Well, it's June and I am not doing that well on the horses (Did you see that finish at the Preakness? Now who can predict a thing like that?!).
But the sun is shining and now it's that time of the year when people like to relax in the hot sun with a refreshing cocktail and summertime brings a bounty of cocktail options! Let's ponder some of the things that make for an evening's, afternoon's or even a morning's (If you are so inclined -I have to say that I enjoyed this at an early age while relaxing in a hotel bar in Athens, Greece... refreshing cocktail. Now, they say that the "golden rule" is brown (scotch, bourbon) in the cold months and clear (vodka, gin) in the warm months, but today we're going to toss that rule! So let's just play! First of all think about what you like. Do you wake up in the morning and eat grapefruit or have a nice cup of tea? Do you like a nice mixed fruit salad for dessert or a snack? Have you ever put a hole in a watermelon and stuffed a bottle of vodka in it; hours later cut that watermelon apart and eaten your "cocktail?" There are so many ways to greet the summer's heat with a delightful potion. So here we go, heat and cocktails: Bloody Marys (which are great year round and Hemingway liked his mix 50/50), Mimosas (my personal favorite is a Bellini, made with a little peach schnapps tossed in), frozen drinks (fun at the beach or pool side), Mojitos, Margaritas . . . These are the "standards" but I've got a few twists on those and even some radical alternatives for you to try -The Hunter S. Thompson, Manhat'Tea'Ni, Southside, Watermelon cocktail, the classic Spritzer, Tom Collins, and the Wild-berry Mojito. HUNTER S. THOMPSON Named after the eccentric author who enjoyed a cocktail of grapefruit juice and bourbon. According to his last wishes (and financed by his pal Johnny Depp) Thompson's ashes were fired from a cannon atop a 153-foot tower of his own design (in the shape of a double-thumbed fist clutching a peyote button) to the tune of Bob Dylan's "Hey Mr. Tambourine Man" -like I said, eccentric.... 1 oz. Bourbon 3 dashes Peychaud bitters oz. simple syrup 2 oz. Grapefruit juice Pour into an iced glass MANHAT'TEA'NI Inspired by my first trip to New York. 1 oz. Green Tea vodka (I make my own) oz. Ginger Brandy oz. Honey Syrup (equal part honey and water, warmed) oz. Fresh lemon juice Shake and strain into martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist SOUTHSIDE This is a classic cocktail that is basically a gin Mojito. 2 oz. gin 2 - 3 lime wedges 1 oz. simple syrup 10 -15 mint leaves Soda water Muddle lime wedges, mint and simple syrup. Add ice and gin. Shake and put contents into a highball glass. Top with soda water. Enjoy! WATERMELON MARTINI This was created by one of my co-workers, Eric Aaronson. 3 oz. watermelon chunks 1/2 oz. lime juice 1/2 oz. (or more depending how ripe your watermelon is) simple syrup 1 oz. vodka oz. Orange Liqueur Muddle watermelon, lime juice and simple syrup. Add ice, vodka and orange liqueur. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a wedge of watermelon. SPRITZER Use a nice dry and crisp white wine Soda water Use about two-thirds wine to one-third soda water. This can be made over ice or not. Garnish with a lemon twist TOM COLLINS 1 oz. Gin 1/2 oz. Simple syrup 1 oz. Fresh lemon juice Soda water Add gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Shake and strain over iced highball glass. Top with soda water. Orange and cherry garnish. WILD-BERRY MOJITO I played around with this and came up with a kind of fun drink. 2 blackberries, strawberry, 2-4 blueberries (or use what is in season) 10 - 15 mint leaves 1 oz. simple syrup 2 - 3 lime wedges 1 oz. Blueberry vodka Soda water Muddle berries, mint leaves, simple syrup and lime wedges. Add ice and vodka. Shake and put contents into a highball glass. Top with soda water Stay Cool... and Enjoy! |
