Ring Around the Rose(mar)y

When life gives you lemons, you're supposed to make lemonade, right? Well, what about a bushel of rosemary? I brought home a bunch today (another random gift) but had no intention of roasting a chicken or a bunch of potatoes. What to do? The only low-frills idea I could come up with was (of course) using it to make a cocktail! And a summery one at that.

All you need to do is whip up some simple syrup, infuse it with a few rosemary sprigs, and you're ready to mix it up. This is really just a riff on a Salty Dog which I think is a riff on a Greyhound. It's quite delish! But I still have a bunch of rosemary left...

Salty Rose Fizz

Kosher salt and a lime wedge (for the glass)

Ice

2 ounces gin

1 ounce fresh lime juice

1 ounce rosemary syrup*

4 ounces sparkling grapefruit soda, such as Izze (or fresh grapefruit juice and a splash of club soda)

1 (3-inch) rosemary sprig

1. Make a cut in the center of a lime wedge and run it halfway around the rim of a highball glass. Dip that half of the rim in salt to coat. Fill a cocktail shaker with about 5 ice cubes, the gin, lime juice, rosemary syrup, and grapefruit soda. Shake briskly and pour into the prepared glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig. Makes one drink.

*To make the rosemary syrup: Bring 1 cup of water and 3/4 cup sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add 2 (4 to 6-inch) sprigs of rosemary and set aside for at least 30 minutes, or up to one hour. Strain into an airtight container. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

It's a Boy!

Congratulations are in order for my great friends, Katie and Jon, who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy (Katie did the hard part). I couldn't be more excited for them! In their honor, I would like to share the signature cocktail that I created for their baby shower last month.

I got the idea for this drink from the soda called Squirt. I can't seem to find it readily on the east coast, not that I am even a regular soda drinker, but I grew up loving this soda. And since Katie and Jon and I are all from Michigan, I thought it had that insider-y element that great cocktails possess.

Since I was essentially creating a homemade, alcoholic version of the soda (my homage to the amazing makers of Squirt), I thought that a twist on the name was required. Hence, The Little Squirt was born (no pun intended! actually it was). The name was a nod to it's origin as well as a double entendre for the occasion.

Please enjoy the drink (I know I will) and make a toast!

*A note on flavored vodkas (which my recipe calls for): Not all flavored vodkas a very good, or, really ANY good. I've even begun making my own infusions because some of the flavored varieties that are for sale taste downright awful. However, I discovered Danzka grapefruit flavored vodka while traveling abroad a few years ago, and highly recommend it. It's become increasingly difficult to find in NYC so when I'm not able to shop duty free, I will substitute Finlandia grapefruit flavored vodka.



The Little Squirt


2 ounces grapefruit flavored vodka

1 ounce Cointreau or Triple Sec

1 ounce fresh lime juice

1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice

Club Soda

1 strip grapefruit zest


1. Pour the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice and grapefruit juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake briskly and pour the contents, including ice, into a highball glass. Top with club soda and stir. Garnish with grapefruit zest.


Alternatively (for The Little Squirt served up):



1. Pour the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice and grapefruit juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake briskly and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with grapefruit zest.

Enjoy!