2019 Q3 Spirited VA - 16

same, regardless of temperature;
however, it takes longer for
sweetness to reach its maximum
flavor intensity in a cold solution.
For example, Hem notes that a
frozen Negroni-a cocktail entirely
without added sweetener-needs
sugar when served frozen.
Like many other mixed drinks,
frozen cocktails can pair well with
food, too. Fruit-forward pineapple,
mango, and passionfruit work well
with summertime favorites from
the backyard grill.

4. CHOOSE QUALITY INGREDIENTS.
A cocktail will never be better than
the sum of its ingredients, so be
sure you choose wisely.
For liquors, this may mean
looking above the bottom shelf.
The fine subtleties of a top-shelf,
sippable liquor may be lost in the
blend, but you'll still want to rise
above the basics.
Each side in the great fruit debate
in crafting frozen cocktails has its
advocates. Those who advise using
frozen fruits may argue they're
already in the perfect state for
making a frozen concoction, but
too much frozen ingredient can
sometimes result in a mix that's too
thick, blends poorly and clamors
to be served in a bowl with a spoon
rather than in a glass.
Contemporary bartenders
prefer to emphasize the freshness
of ingredients-even in a frozen
cocktail.
These professionals also note
that concentrated lemon and lime
juice, like those found in those cute
little plastic citrus fruit look-alike
squeeze containers, also concentrate
the fruits' bitterness.
If you like the idea of using cold
ingredients, store your spirits (over
70 proof) in the freezer, and blend
quickly.

16 VIRGINIA ABC | ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV

CUCUMBER-HERB GIN & TONIC

Pre-freeze tonic water to achieve the right consistency for this cocktail. Pick your favorite
herb for a burst of summertime flavor or choose the herb that best complements the gin.

▷ 1½ OZ. GIN
▷ 1 OZ. FRESH LIME JUICE
▷ ¾ CUP TONIC WATER, NOT
FROZEN
▷ 6 SLICES FRESH CUCUMBER
▷ FRESH HERBS, SUCH AS
ROSEMARY, BASIL, MINT, OR
CILANTRO
▷ 1 CUP TONIC WATER, FROZEN
IN ICE CUBES

COCONUT
PINEAPPLE
MARGARITA
Adapted from TheBlondCook.com
Sure, sometimes you don't feel
like starting from scratch! Use
a quality mix, add a few fresh
ingredients, and voila! You can
even use the empty mixer can
for measuring.

▷ 1 (10-OZ.) CAN PIÑA
COLADA FROZEN
CONCENTRATE MIXER,
THAWED
▷ 10 OZ. TEQUILA
▷ 5 OZ. PINEAPPLE JUICE
▷ JUICE FROM ½ LIME
▷ 7 CUPS ICE
▷ KOSHER SALT FOR
RIMMING GLASS
(OPTIONAL)
▷ LIME AND PINEAPPLE
WEDGES FOR GARNISH
(OPTIONAL)
Rub edges of margarita
glasses with a lime wedge
and dip in kosher salt
to coat rims. Place Piña
Colada concentrate, tequila,
pineapple juice, lime
juice and ice in a blender.
Blend until smooth. Split
into double batches to
accommodate the size
of your blender pitcher if
necessary. Pour into glasses.

▷ SLICES OF CUCUMBER FOR
GARNISH, LENGTHWISE OR IN
WHEELS
To a blender add gin, lime juice, ¾
cup tonic water, cucumber, and herbs
to taste. Blend well to pulverize the
cucumber and herbs. Add half of the
tonic water ice cubes. Blend until
slushy-add more ice if needed.

http://www.TheBlondCook.com http://ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV

2019 Q3 Spirited VA

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