Looking to mix it up (see what I did there?) cocktail-wise for your Memorial Day weekend parties? Here are some fresh recipe ideas from some of New Jersey’s best bars and kitchens.
Mother Dearest by Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Lemonade for adults!
- 2 oz Meyer lemon infused vodka
- 3/4 oz Thyme simple syrup
- 1 oz Meyer lemon Juice
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into glass. Garnish with thyme sprig.
The Spring Spritz by Jockey Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Morristown, NJ
Sip on this while sitting on the porch swing
- 1 oz Tito’s vodka
- 1 oz St. Germain (elderflower liqueur)
- 1/4 oz Benedictine (spiced herbal liqueur)
- 1/2 oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz Prosecco
Shake all ingredients, excluding Prosecco.
Then add Prosecco to the shaker. Strain into a wine glass filled with ice. Add a splash of Prosecco to re-carbonate the cocktail. Garnish with mint sprig.
A Thousand Miles Away by Mandara Ristorante + Pizzeria, West Caldwell, NJ
Close your eyes … ahh … paradise
- 2 oz Uruapan Rum
- 3/4 oz banana
- 3/4 oz lime
- 1/2 oz orgeat
- 1/4 oz Fernet Menta
Add all ingredients except Fernet Menta into a mixing glass or tin then fill with ice and shake vigorously until tin is cold. Fill high-ball glass or Collins glass with fresh ice and double strain. Float Fernet Menta on top and garnish with mint sprig.
East Coast Negroni by Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen, Montclair, NJ
Yes, Mezcal Gin is a thing and you need to try it!
- 1 1/2 oz Gracias a Dios Mezcal Gin
- .75 oz Lime juice
- .5 oz Aperol
- .5 oz Campari
- .5 oz Agave syrup
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into coupe. Garnish with lime.
Suco de Abacaxi com Hortelã by Samba Montclair, Montclair, NJ
A pineapple and mint smoothie featured in the Samba Montclair cookbook
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup diced pineapple
- 10 mint leaves, or more to taste
- 4-6 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. If your pineapple isn’t sweet enough, you can add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to taste.
Suco de Abacaxi com Hortelã
Ginger Lee by Zeugma Mediterranean Grill, Montclair, NJ
You might want to spike this at home
- 8 oz fresh lemonade of your choice
- Splash of honey water (50/50 honey dissolved in water)
- Tsp fresh ginger, shaved
- Cayenne pepper, pinch
- Club soda
Fill glass with ice and fresh lemonade. Add honey water, cayenne pepper and ginger, then shake. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with lemon peel.
(Pro tip: when making fresh lemonade, zest the lemons and let them soak in lemonade overnight to give it that bright yellow color.)
Happy Memorial Day!
Veronique
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