It’s March, spring is in the air & so is my birthday!
And to honor this auspicious occasion, I’m sharing my 3 most beloved, most favorite cocktails. Make one (or two, or all three) & celebrate my birth month with me! 😊
Reviewing my selections, it seems I like simplicity, refreshment, and a touch of citrus in my cocktails. Yeah, I’m a bit predictable, but I’m okay with that. They are all delicious.
Gimlet
I do love Gimlets. For me, Gimlets and Vodka Tonics are interchangeable on a warm spring night, just depends on which way I am leaning at the moment. I share my favorite classic Gimlet recipe & one of my favorite remixes on this classic cocktail, the French Gimlet, here.
Today, I am going to bless you with a new version I created, inspired by my good friend Megan Cathey: I call it the Sub Rosa Gimlet.
Sub rosa means “under the rose” and denotes secrecy and discretion. This cocktail is refreshing but packs a punch. Be sure to enjoy your Sub Rosa Gimlet with friends who know to keep whatever you may say under its influences to themselves. 😉😄
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Rose infused Gin (I used Hendrick’s, because obviously 😉) *recipe below*
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz of St. Germain
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail mixer over ice
- shake well for about 5-10 secs
- Pour into your favorite receptacle
- Garnish with slice of lime and a few rose buds
- Enjoy!
French 75
I was introduced to the French 75 on a girls trip to Branson, MO one year. The waitress asked me what I wanted to drink, and being brand new to the cocktail scene, I had no idea. So the bartender came over and asked me what taste profiles I liked, my response “citrusy/lemony drinks, a hint of sweetness, but not overpowering so. And nothing too fruity.” He thought for a second and next thing I know, a lovely, bubbly French 75 was placed in front of me. I’ve been taken with this cocktail since.
To make a french 75, you need:
- Gin
- Champagne
- Fresh lemon juice
- Simple syrup
I like subbing St. Germain in place of the simple syrup:
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin (I prefer Hendricks, of course)
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 oz St. Germain
- Bubbles- your favorite champagne, sparkling wine, or tonic water
Directions:
- Combine gin, lemon juice, and St. Germain in a cocktail mixer over ice
- Shake well for 5-10 seconds
- Pour into a champagne flute
- Top off with champagne (for a fully loaded flight), or tonic water (to cruise at a lower altitude 😉)
Saint & Sinner (Vodka Tonic)
The Vodka Tonic is a classic beverage that’s super refreshing & simple to make. All you need is 3 ingredients, which you probably already have on hand:
- Vodka
- Lime juice
- Tonic water
One of my best friends & I share the same birthday & we decided to throw a joint birthday party this year themed after our Zodiac sign, the mighty Pisces. While prepping, I came across this quote:
“Pisces is both the Saint and Sinner.”
Instantly, I knew what our signature cocktail of the night would be. 😉
I’ve recently discovered the Ketel One Botanical vodkas, and I love the Peach & Orange Blossom. Just so happened I had some infusing with jalapeño on my bar. (Because who doesn’t randomly have infused vodkas on their bar?😊) And the one thing I love more than citrusy beverages is spicy beverages.
- I’ve been experimenting with jalapeño infused vodkas for about a year now. My first foray was with the Cajun Screwdriver, featured in my Mardi Gras post.
The vodka turned out to be the perfect blend of soft & sweet, with a nice (but not too overwhelming) spicy kick. It is both Saint & Sinner! (see what I did there…🙂)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of jalapeño infused Ketel One Peach and Orange Blossom vodka *recipe below*
- 1/2 oz of fresh lime juice
- Tonic Water
- Lime slices
Directions:
- Combine vodka and lime juice in a cocktail shaker over ice
- Shake well for 5-10 secs
- Pour into tumbler or Collins glass over ice
- Top off with tonic water (about 3 oz, more or less to taste)
- garnish with lime slices
- Enjoy!
Rose Infused Gin
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of your favorite Gin (one guess as to which brand I used)
- 2.5 tablespoons of culinary grade rose buds
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in an air tight jar (mason jar works just fine)
- Let mixture sit overnight at room temperature
- Give it a taste after roughly 24 hours. If you desire a stronger rose infusion, let it sit another day
Jalapeño infused Vodka
This is very simple:
- Take one jalapeño pepper, slice it down the middle, remove the seeds and membrane
- Add about 2 cups of vodka to a mason jar and add in the pepper
- Tighten the lid and let the mixture hang out on your bar for 2 days. Longer if you want more spice, less time if you don’t.
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