Few things seem to shout spring has arrived to me like fresh herbs, and what better way to savor the flavor of the season than with a Lemon Basil Martini.  Light and refreshing, this cocktail is a great way to leave the week behind and usher in the weekend. Who knows, it might even inspire you to plant a herb garden in your yard this year.

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Lemon Basil Martini

Light martini with the fresh garden flavor of basil

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 3-4 large basil leaves coarsely chopped
• 2-3 slices of lemon
• 1/2 oz. of simple syrup
• 3.5 oz. citron vodka
• Splash of orange flavored liquor
• Splash of Orange Juice

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker, muddle chopped basil leaves with 2-3 slices of lemon.
• Add 1/2 oz. of simple syrup, vodka, and crushed ice.
• Shake vigorously.
• Strain mixture into a martini glass and serve.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

I guess it was a couple of weeks ago while doing a bit of research on the history of the Oscars that I stumbled upon this delight, the Brown Derby, an interesting, slightly sweet bourbon drink with a surprisingly fresh citrus finish.

The Brown Derby became popular in the 1930’s in Hollywood, but not where you might guess.  The cocktail was actually created at a Tinsel Town hangout named the Vendome Club, a rival of the Brown Derby and a popular haunt of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, as well as many other famous stars.

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Brown Derby

Refreshing bourbon martini with a citrus sweet kick

Course Cocktails

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Bourbon
• 1 1/2 ounces fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit juice
• 3 /4 ounce Honey Syrup

Honey Syrup

• 1 part honey
• 1 part water

Instructions

Honey Syrup

• Simmer together in a sauce pan until almost boiling.
• Allow to cool before using.
• Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Mix

• Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake to mix, strain, and serve up in a chilled cocktail glass.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Life is short, get out and have some fun!

The Moscow Mule was invented in 1941 in New York’s Chatham Hotel by John G. Martin, an east coast spirits and food distributor, and John “Jack” Morgan, President of Cock ‘n’ Bull Products (which produced ginger beer) and proprietor of the Cock ‘n’ Bull Tavern, a bar on Sunset Boulevard popular with celebrities. Apparently the two men were drinking in the Chatham bar with Rudolph Kunett, president of the Pierre Smirnoff vodka company, when they came up with the concoction. The drink became extremely popular in the Los Angeles tavern, and by 1942 the drink was touted as the craze of the movie colony.

A good Moscow Mule is hard to come by. Traditionally the drink is served in a copper mug. I don’t know the reason for this, and do not even know if there is one. The only thing I can find is that it might have something to do with oxidation. I would wager it was more of a marketing ploy to set this cocktail apart from all of the other vodka drinks.

Moscow Mules are seldom found in copper mugs anymore due to the cost of copper and the bad habit of people stealing the novel cup. The few remaining places I know that still use copper mugs, either hold your ID or require a deposit.

I was lucky enough to stumble across a set of four mugs at the Mile High Flea Market in Denver for 50¢ each. Score!

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Moscow Mule

Refreshing light and sparkling. The mule is a perfect drink for a hot summer day.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Smirnoff vodka
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 4 ounces Cock ‘n’ Bull ginger beer not to be confused with ginger ale

Instructions

• Fill copper mug with ice.
• Add vodka, lime juice, and Cock'n'Bull ginger beer.
• Garnish with lime.

T.G.I.F.