David's Deuce

As a category, cocktails thrive year 'round. Of course, there are seasonal cocktails, but there's always something that you can return to, time and again. That's illustrated by the number of classic cocktails we see all around.

We turn, as we often do on a Monday, to our resident mixologist, Woodbridge Assistant Store Manager David Rudd. He has some tasty recipes today.

Vodka Sling

The simplicity of classic cocktails is what gives them such timeless elegance. The Vodka Sling is an example of such simple elegance. In a tumbler glass, dissolve a spoon a sugar in a spoon of water. Add a few ice cubes and the juice of ½ lemon. Stir in 2 oz. of Sir Reginald's Swill Vodka and finish with a dash of Angostura™ Orange Bitters. Garnish with a fat flamed twist of orange.

If you're not familiar with Sir Reginald's Swill Vodka, it has a light body and, although very smooth, it has a zesty citrus bite. It is 100% gluten free and is highly recommend by the staff at our Woodbridge store.

Rum Swizzle

I’m not giving up on swizzles until summer is over! This classic combines citrus and spirits into something between a julep and a sno-cone for grownups. Fill a Collins glass ¾ full with crushed ice and add 4 parts Appleton VX Jamaican rum, 2 parts fresh lime juice, and 1 part simple syrup.  Swizzle together and top to heaping with more crushed ice.  Finish with a dash of Angostura bitters, a pinch of fresh nutmeg and a sprig of mint.

                                                                 Watermelon Margarita

This is not one of David's recipes, but might be next summer.

Ingerdients
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup water
3 strips orange zest
2 cups seeded watermelon
3/4 cup Camarena Silver Tequila
1/4 cup lime juice
salt or sugar, to rim glass (optional)
1 lime, cut into wedges
crushed ice, as needed

Directions
Bring 1/2 cup sugar, water, and orange zest in a small saucepan to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove simple syrup from heat and allow to cool completely.

Place watermelon in a blender or food processor. Pulse until pureed.

Stir watermelon puree into a large pitcher with simple syrup, tequila, and lime juice.

Place a small amount of salt or sugar into a saucer. Rub edge of margarita glasses with a lime wedge to moisten. Lightly dip the rim of the glass into the saucer to rim the glass; tap off excess salt or sugar.

Fill rimmed glasses with crushed ice; pour margarita mixture into glasses and garnish with lime wedges to serve.