The last glacier has finally melted from our yard and I can tell ya, we didn’t shed any tears over that!  Even the kids were happy to say goodbye to the last bit of winter.  It was a long one this year and we are ready to embrace spring.  That means of course, that we are thinking COCKTAILS!  What better way to greet the warmer weather of May than bright, fruity libations that remind us there are sunny days ahead?  With that in mind, we invited a few friends to bring their awesome selves and their favorite mixers on over.  We spent an afternoon mixing and concocting and drinking and laughing (A LOT!).  Below are the fruits of our labor.  All of these delicious and pretty cocktails are written for single drinks, but easily translate into pitcher sized recipes if you feel the need to share with friends.  Celebrating Cinco de Mayo?  Or just the sun shining again?  Mix up a batch for your favorite people, forget about cleaning the house, and go soak up the sun.

 

Raspberry Ginger James

1 ½ oz. Scotchman Peaks Barley Vodka

1 lime, quartered

Sprig of mint

8 oz. seltzer water

1 ½ oz. raspberry syrup

4 oz. ginger ale

Muddle the lime and mint in a shaker with Vodka. Strain into a tall glass over ice, add seltzer, raspberry syrup (we used Torani) and ginger ale.  Stir and garnish with a mint sprig.  

This is a take on a Raspberry Lime Ricky and everyone loved it.  It’s sweetness is balanced nicely with the bite of the ginger ale and the tartness of the fresh squeezed lime.  This one definitely has a place on our summer drinks menu.

 

The 217 Pome-berry

2 oz. No. 217 Corn Whiskey

4 oz. pomegranate juice

1 ½ oz.  raspberry syrup

2 oz.  seltzer water

½ oz. triple sec

Splash of lime

 

Combine all except lime and pour over ice.  Squeeze a generous slice of lime over the top.  Garnish with an orange slice and a couple of raspberries.  

This has a bright fruity flavor that pairs surprisingly well with the corn whiskey.  It would also be delicious with the Barley Vodka or Rum.  The splash of lime at the end brightens the flavors and balances the sweetness with a little bit of tart.

 

This last cocktail is a little different.  Still delicious, fruity, and refreshing, but…not yet named!  It’s a shame to have such a delicious cocktail out in the world and having to resort to calling it “hey you!”  or  “ol’ what’s its name” or worse yet, “that drink with the stuff in it.”  It just doesn’t seem right.  So, if you feel up to the task, send us your best ideas for this amazing little drink.  Let’s give it a moment in the spotlight without that awkward pause where it’s name is supposed be.  

 

That which is not yet named…

2 oz. Mill Town Light Rum

4 oz. pineapple juice

3 oz. ginger Ale

½ oz. Triple Sec

1 tsp. honey

 

Combine all and pour over ice.  Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.  

It doesn’t get any easier than that!  Adjust the honey to sweeten to your taste.  This would also be delicious blended.  
We want to send out a BIG thank you to our amazing friends who allow us to experiment on them and ply them with booze in return for their inspiration and crazy awesome ideas.  They definitely make life more fun!