Memorial Day is May 27th, and Spec’s has everything but the grill for a perfect picnic! It’s a great occasion to test out some unique cocktails and impress your guests. Here are some refreshing recipes that’ll celebrate Memorial Day in a major way!
Mint Tart
1 grapefruit, segmented, juice reserved
20 mint leaves
4 teaspoons agave nectar
juice of 1 lime
¼ cup + 2 tbsp reserved grapefruit juice
3 oz rum
sparkling water
Muddle 4 grapefruit segments, mint, agave nectar, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add the juice and rum, top with fresh ice, and shake until blended. Strain into two ice-filled glasses, top with sparkling water, and garnish with grapefruit segments.
Bruschettini
2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce créme de framboise
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
3 cherry tomatoes
3 basil leaves
Muddle basil leaves and cherry tomatoes in a cocktail shaker. Add all other ingredients and shake with ice until blended. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with sweet paprika and a basil leaf.
Picnic Punch
1 liter bourbon
1 cup granulated sugar
peels from 3 lemons and 1 orange
juices of peeled fruits
1 liter of strong green tea
250 ml champagne or club soda
freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
Brew the tea for about 30 minutes, and allow to cool. Discard teabags or loose tea. In a punch bowl, muddle the sugar and fruit peels until the sugar starts to clump. Stir in the juice, tea, and bourbon until thoroughly blended. Top with champagne and garnish with nutmeg.
Cucumber Calling
1 ½ oz vodka
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup
1 drop green hot sauce
1 cilantro sprig
3 slices cucumber, plus one for garnish
Muddle the cucumber slices with the lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, hot sauce, and ice, shake until blended. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the cilantro and cucumber.
Ginger Belle
2 oz dry gin
½ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
slice of green bell pepper, plus one for garnish
splash of strong ginger beer
Muddle the bell pepper with the lemon juice. Add the gin and simple syrup, top with ice, and shake until blended. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice, top with ginger beer, and garnish with slice of bell pepper.
