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If traveling internationally has taught us one lesson in food, it’s that there are no real limits when it comes to flavor pairings. Cilantro and sugar? Butter and snails? Honey and turmeric? Bring it on.
We’ve been talking about creating “faraway foods”series on our blog for a while now. Cooking and traveling are two of our favorite things to do, so here we are, braving our first recipe post. Throughout this series, we’ll be sharing recipes that may have traditionalist chefs rolling over in their graves, but we promise our food will always be distinctive and delicious.
To kick of the series, we partnered with SVEDKA Vodka to bring you 3 summer cocktails inspired by the good ol’ USA. Start with what you know, right?
American Summer Cocktails
We’re spending our summer at home in San Francisco this year. All things (or most things…) considered, we’re pretty darn proud to be American! We have the most amazing backyard, which means we’re the default party hosts. With a 4th of July soiree, a Bloody Mary birthday, and adult summer camp on the books, we’re going to be making lots of cocktails. SVEDKA has always been our go-to for hosting as it’s accessibly priced and easy to add into just about any cocktail.
For our debut cocktail recipes, we wanted to pay homage to American classics, while brightening them up for summer and introducing unfamiliar flavors. Want to know how to make them at home for your own summer festivities? Let’s get to it!
1. The Julep (Kentucky):
We’re not sure there is a summer cocktail more enticing than a julep on a sweltering day. The julep is said to have originated in the American South in the eighteenth century. It was later introduced to Washington D.C. and the world beyond by Round Robin Bar in the Willard Hotel. In its most basic form, a mint julep is made of whiskey, mint, powdered sugar, and water. We say, ditch the whiskey and powdered sugar in favor of a cocktail with a bit more vibrance.
Grapefruit Mint Julep
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2. The Rickey (Washington D.C.):
Rickeys are bright, unique, and easily the simplest cocktail out there! The first Rickey was dreamed up at Shoomaker’s bar in Washington D.C. Rickeys are traditionally made with gin (or bourbon), lime, and soda water, but why keep it simple when there is rosewater in the world?
Blackberry Rosewater Rickey
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3. The Mary (New York):
Everyone needs a favorite savory cocktail. For us, that’s become the Bloody Mary. The origin of the Bloody Mary is hotly contested, but most would credit it to Harry’s New York Bar, a New York bar broken down and rebuilt in Paris. While the recipe has evolved over the years, the fundamentals of a Bloody Mary are tomato juice, Worcestershire, and spirits. We say that forgetting the olive juice is a huge mistake!
Spicy Bloody Mary
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We all know what comes next, right? Grab some friends and drink up!
like it? pin it!
So there you have it! 3 summer cocktails that are perfect for any backyard summer party. Thanks again to SVEDKA for sponsoring this kitchen experiment! For DIY cocktail bar tutorials and even more summer cocktails, head to SVEDKA’s #CelebratetheSummer page or visit them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
What did you think about our first recipe post? Which summer cocktails would you most like to try at home? We’d love to hear your feedback!
20 Comments
Kerri Guisness
June 15, 2016 at 4:18 pmYumm… The grapefruit mint julep looks refreshing and perfect for the forth of July on the “veranda”!!! Can’t wait to try it!
Taylor
June 19, 2016 at 2:12 pmI’ll make one for you!
Stephanie
June 15, 2016 at 7:07 pmOh wow! These recipes look amazingly delicious and perfect for a summer party. I think that Blackberry Rosewater Rickey is calling my name – the color is gorgeous! (client)
Taylor Record
June 16, 2016 at 11:00 pmThanks so much, Stephanie! We make rosewater rickeys all the time — you can just add in whichever fruit you have at home. Hope you get to try one out!
Cassie
June 16, 2016 at 4:00 amTay these look amazing!! Please tell me we can make them at your birthday!
Taylor Record
June 16, 2016 at 11:01 pmThank you so much, Cass! We can DEFINITELY make them. What is summer camp without cocktails, cha know?
Annika
June 16, 2016 at 11:27 amYup, I’d also go for the Julep – while I am much of a New York girl at heart I can’t stand Bloody Mary. But that grapefruit combo looks amazing. Now all I need is an actual summer in Germany to go with it 😉
Taylor Record
June 16, 2016 at 11:04 pmThank you, Annika! Bloody Marys are definitely an acquired love — I can’t blame you for hating them. Any summer in sight? Hopefully it will be julep season before too long!
Colonel Buendia
June 16, 2016 at 1:07 pmThe Colonel approves of this message – and the drinks look wonderful. The Colonel will begin with the The Spicy Bloody Mary and perhaps use a mix of Old Bay for the rim of the glass. Cheers.
Taylor Record
June 16, 2016 at 11:12 pmIs there anything that Old Bay doesn’t improve? Glad you like the recipes! Promise to make one or two of them when you come to visit!
Tracie Howe
June 16, 2016 at 6:38 pmWow! Seeing those drinks immediately made me think of summer, even if it is still a bit chilly here in my neck of the woods! They all sound refreshing and delicious!
Taylor Record
June 16, 2016 at 11:13 pmThanks a lot, Tracie! Summer is totally the time to swap out the heavy cocktails for mint and citrus, in my opinion! Hope summer comes soon so you can get to gettin’ 😉
Abhinav Singh
June 17, 2016 at 8:05 amVery different blog. The recipes are innovative and can be tried at home. I am lazy in kitchen but you make the recipes look like a child’s play. Hope to make them someday. I have saved this post. And , by the way, amazing pictures!
Taylor Record
June 19, 2016 at 10:30 pmThank you, Abhinav! Cocktails are the perfect way to get even the laziest of cooks into the kitchen 😉 Hope you get to try your hand at a few of these.
Emily Luxton
June 18, 2016 at 11:40 amGreat post! I LOVE cocktails (just working on a post of my own about my favourites haha)! I’ll definitely be trying that Julep recipe 🙂
Taylor Record
June 19, 2016 at 10:22 pmThank you, Emily! I learned that cocktails are easier to make than to photograph 😉 Can’t wait to see your post!
Annemarie
June 18, 2016 at 2:19 pmVery cool! Love how you included the different recipes between the beautiful photos. Very neat. 🙂
Taylor Record
June 19, 2016 at 10:21 pmThanks so much, Annemarie!
Dannielle | While I'm Young and Skinny
June 20, 2016 at 9:52 amI had never heard of the 2nd one! Love the whole USA drinks theme – and your images are stunning! It’s 10am in the UK… possibly a bit early for a cocktail? But then again, a bloody mary is breakfast… 🙂
Taylor Record
June 28, 2016 at 8:23 pmWe’d say it’s never too early for a Bloody Mary 😉 Thanks so much, Dannielle!