Both Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby are looming large this weekend, and I'm left asking - when two events with two very different staple cocktails occur on the same weekend, what is one to do?! (yeah, I know, #firstworldproblems)
With that in mind, I channeled the Derby's staple Mint Julep and the lesser-known La Paloma to create a delicious, refreshing cocktail perfect for a fusion shindig.
Sidebar: Just this weekend, I was struck with the perfect theme: Sundresses & Sombreros. Perfect, no? Unfortunately, I had the thought far too late to run with it.
INGREDIENTS
1 part Mint-Infused Vodka
1 part Club Soda
4 parts Grapefruit Soda
1 dash Mint Bitters
splash Lemon Juice
DIRECTIONS
Stir ingredients together over ice. Garnish with lemon slice and mint sprig.
A couple of ingredient notes:
Mint-Infused Vodka: I infused my own vodka with mint for our holiday party and actually ended up abhorring the cocktail for which I created the vodka. You can search around the internet to find different approaches, but I generally muddled the leaves from about 5 sprigs of mint with a liter of vodka and allowed to infuse in a cool, dark place for about 5 days.
Club Soda: I like to substitute sweeter mixers with club soda. It dilutes the liquor a bit and adds some effervescence without the overpowering sugariness.
Grapefruit Soda: Grapefruit soda can be difficult to find; however, you should be able to find the Jarritos or Goya brand sodas in the international food aisle.
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You=genius.
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, Bethany!
Deletewe really were thinking alike today!!
ReplyDeletethe kentucky derby is on my bucket list!
ReplyDeletei really need to amp up our liquor cabinet. i think we have rum and vodka and that's it.
Yeah, you do. I should count how many things we have. I would venture to guess that if you included liquors, liqueurs, bitters, and vermouths, we might have like 40 bottles of things.
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