Summer's Coming

We're pretty sure that summer will be here soon. All the signs are there: summer craft beer has been arriving, as have the 2015 rose wines. So we'll start today's post with a perfect summer cocktail.

Watermelon-Moscato Slush

6 cups watermelon cubes, seeds removed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup Caposaldo Moscato (but this also works with your favorite Moscato)

Place watermelon cubes, sugar, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender.  Blend until smooth. Pour through a strainer to remove the pulp.  Place strained liquid in a glass baking dish and stir in the Moscato.

Place the baking dish in the freezer and freeze the mixture for 2 to 3 hours, stirring with a fork every 45 minutes or so to break up ice crystals.

When ready to serve, spoon the watermelon slush into a wine (or other) glass, filling the glass about 3/4 full. Pour in wine and stir.

Pitú Brazilian Caipirinha

The world will turn its attention to Brazil for the summer Olympics this year. Get a head start on a sure-fire trend with this classic Brazilian cocktail.

One-half lime
2 tsp. granulated or bar sugar
Crushed ice
2 oz. Pitú Cachaça
Garnish with slice of lime

Cut lime into small pieces and place in an old-fashioned glass. Add sugar. Muddle lime and sugar with a pestle or spoon. Fill glass with ice. Add Pitú. Put contents in shaker, shake well, return contents to glass and serve.

Reposado Paloma

Cinco de Mayo is only a few weeks away. A well rounded Cinco de Mayo party will include more than beer, so here's one tequila based cocktail recipe.

Coarse salt
1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar
1/4 cup Camarena Reposado tequila
1/4 cup club soda
Grapefruit wedge, for garnish

Rub rim of an 8-ounce glass with a grapefruit wedge. Pour some coarse salt out onto a plate and rub the rim of the glass in the salt to coat. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar in prepared glass and stir. Stir in tequila, add some ice, and top off with the club soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.

Cheers!