Basil Smash

Our good friend and bartender, Trina at Beau's gave us this recipe for a dinner party as a signature drink and we've never looked back.  Deliciously crisp and refreshing.  Really smashing up the basil and a lot of it is key.  Make sure you strain before serving it or your guests will have it in there teeth.  Just fantastic on a warm summer night on the patio with good friends.

Good Dry English Gin (Bombay Sapphire)
Lemon juice
Basil
Simple Syrup
Lots of crushed ice
Garnish-
Cucumber slice
Basil leaf

In a shaker aggressively muddle a good bit of basil, simple syrup, and lemon juice.  Strain mixture into a high ball glass.  Fill glass with crushed ice and add gin.  Garnish with a slice of cucumber and basil.  Enjoy!

The elixir (basil, lemon, and syrup) can be made in a big batch and keeps for a week in the refrigerator.  Note of caution, use cheese cloth (I've used nylons before) to strain and remove all basil leaves.  If left in the mixture it will turn brown.

Virgin Margaritas

Olé, these work great with or without tequila.  Without a doubt these are a favorite amongst the kids as the adults enjoy the "high test" version.  I don't do the salted rim, but if you enjoy yours that way, go for it.  Enjoy!

Makes 8-10

(1) 1/2 gallon Limeade

Juice of one Orange

Juice of half a lemon

Glasses with lots of ice

Lime wheels for garnish

In a pitcher mix all ingredients.  Garnish glasses with lime wheels, pour over ice and serve.  Enjoy!

The BST

Each Summer, on the first warm weekend, we have a party by the water with our friends.  We cook up obscene amounts of food, laugh, and enjoy the company of some really terrific people.  Its tradition that we serve three different drinks for them to sample.  We ask them to vote for the one they liked the most and the winning concoction becomes our drink for the summer.  This was our winner this year, named after its creator, Brian Scott Tepper.

2 oz. Tequila
4 oz. fresh Grapefruit juice
Dash Pomegranate juice
Simple syrup to taste
Splash soda water

Over lots of ice shake the first four ingredients.  Pour into glass and top with soda.  Serve with a pink grapefruit supreme.  Enjoy!

* Supreming is a technique that removes the membrane from citrus fruit so it can be served in slices.  To supreme an orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit, begin by trimming off the very top and bottom of the fruit with a sharp knife. Next, set the fruit on end, and carefully cut the skin from its flesh, beginning at the top and following the curves down. Then, carefully cut out each section of the fruit by inserting the blade of the knife between the flesh and the membrane on both sides. The wedges should come out easily, leaving only the membrane intact.

Summer Beer a.k.a "Sip and go naked"

As we start saying goodbye to summer and the trees begin to turn hues of yellow, red, and orange, I am thinking fondly of this fabulous cocktail we enjoyed by the lake this summer.  This is a tremendous concoction for a warm breezy, lazy day by the water or anywhere else for that matter.  Warning, they sneak up on you mighty fast. Enjoy!

1 (12oz) can frozen pink lemonade
12oz. Water
12 oz. Vodka
1 (12oz.) beer

In a large pitcher mix lemonade, water, and vodka.  Add the beer and stir.  Serve over lots of ice.