Oh do I ever have the perfect summer cocktail for you! Hot temperatures call for refreshment that is fruity, light, crisp, and not too sweet, but with an unexpected element, such as a punch of fresh ginger root. So many fruit based cocktails are cloyingly sweet and syrupy. I have played with the proportions in this drink, inspired by a beverage found at 1bigbite.com, so that the pineapple juice is subtle, allowing the ginger and fresh mint flavors to really pop, and enhanced by the sparkle of bubbly. It goes down really smoothly, so be forewarned that it is alcohol infused and should be sipped slowly.
Sparkling Pineapple Ginger-Mint Cocktail
1/2 c. unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 c. ginger-mint simple syrup (recipe below)
1/4 c. fresh lime juice
1 c. vodka
1 c. champagne
Stir together the pineapple juice, simple syrup, lime juice and vodka and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into chilled glasses over ice and top with champagne. Garnish with fresh pineapple cubes and mint leaves. Makes 5-6 cocktails.
To make the ginger-mint simple syrup:
1 c. water
1 c. sugar
6 oz. fresh ginger root
6 large sprigs of fresh mint
Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil to allow the sugar to dissolve. Meanwhile, peel the ginger root. I learned how to do this the easy way by watching my daughter-in-law, Tiffany. She removed the rind by gently scraping the skin with a spoon. Put the peeled ginger into a ziplock bag and pound it with a meat mallet to break up the fibers. If you prefer, you could also just dice the ginger. Place the smashed ginger and the mint sprigs into the boiling sugar water. Cover the pot and remove from the heat. Let steep for at least one hour. I went off to play tennis and let mine steep for several hours and it was perfect! Strain the syrup through a fine sieve and refrigerate. This recipe makes enough for two rounds of the cocktails. You could also use it to jazz up your morning tea.
Cheers my friends! (Pool and sunshine and amazing man are optional.)