Cucumber Gin Rickey

Summertime calls for outdoor cocktails. Light, yummy, delicious cocktails and boy does this Cucumber Gin Rickey have you covered! It's refreshing and with the cooling effect of cucumber it's a great drink for these hot summer days. And it has been HOT lately! Find shade and these ingredients and get on it. 

Cucumber Gin Rickey

Fridge:

6 quarter inch thick slices of cucumber, extra sliced for garnish 

6 mint leaves, extra for garnish 

Freezer:

Ice for cups (enough to fill two lowball glasses) 

Counter:

Juice of 1 lime (about 3 tbs) 

Pantry:

3/8 cup gin (I measured 1/4 cup and then 1/8 of a cup) 

3/4 can of ginger beer 

Tools:

Muddler or potato masher 

Pitcher or large bowl 

Strainer 

Mixing spoon 

2 lowball glasses 

In the pitcher add cucumber slices, mint leaves and lime juice. Using your muddler (or potato masher) smash the cucumber and mint leaves until well bruised. Add your gin and mix well. At this point you can strain out the mashed pulp or keep it as is- whatever you prefer. 

Fill your lowball glasses with ice. Equally divide the gin & lime mixture into the two glasses. It should be about 1/3 cup of liquid per cup. Top glasses with ginger beer. Add mint and cucumber for garnish and serve. 

Enjoy this drink!! It's perfect for summer! Xo

Blackberry Mint Mojitos

TGIF people, T.G.I.F. 

Working on my own start-up business has made me very appreciative of Friday afternoons. As a chef, I've never been very good at the business/office end of things- talking on the phone, meetings, email, blah blah. Even with my own restaurant- I tended to avoid that whole office side of it (thank the high heavens for good lawyers). But now I'm waist deep in the business side and I can almost see the end- it's so close!! So this cocktail entry is for everyone who has had a long week and has busted their butts to get it all done. I feel like I've killed it this week...so hurrah to me! I'd like to dedicate this cocktail to everyone who works an office 9-5...I respect you mucho! Salud and Happy Friday!! 

Blackberry Mint Mojitos 

Fridge: 

1/3 packed cup of mint leaves plus extra for garnish 

1 cup blackerries plus extra for garnish

1/4 lime fresh lime juice 

2 cups of ice cubes 

1 12oz can of lime or plain seltzer 

Counter:

2 cups water plus 1 cup extra 

Pantry:

1 cup dark rum

1/2 cup light rum

1 cup sugar 

Tools:

Large pitcher

Potato masher 

Measuring cups 

Cutting board 

Knife 

Large spoon

Small pot 

Strainer 

In the pot add 2 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar and 1/3 cup packed mint leaves. Boil on medium until all the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Turn off and allow to cool completely. This time also helps the flavors meld and become mint simple syrup. Strain mint leaves out and set aside. 

Add both rums and lime juice to your pitcher. Add the blackberries and muddle using your potato masher. Then add your strained mint simple syrup, the extra cup of water and 2 cups of ice. Stir well. 

Right before serving add the can of plain or lime seltzer. Serve with a sprig of mint and a couple blueberries and you've got a great Friday night cocktail. Perfect for the warm weather. Enjoy! Xo

Upgrade: Watermelon!

Watermelon might be my favorite part of the summer months- it's right up there with sweet corn and beach weather. I try to get the most out of my favorite seasonal fruit by pretty much using it daily. These are two of my favorite uses for the delicious melon:

A super simple salad consisting of organic baby arugula, feta, red onions and watermelon slices sprinkled with chopped mint and feta. I sometimes add a balsamic glaze and a little olive oil as a dressing or I just leave it plain. It's a burst of summer in your mouth! Try it!! 

I also love to drink my watermelon. Just blending the fruit with a little ice is a perfect summer drink. But I like to take it up a notch and add mint leaves and lime juice. It's so simple yet so good!  And if it's a day that calls for a little celebration- adding a dash of rum or vodka is a fun addition!