Stephs Steps to the Perfect Summer Cocktail

Complete- Drop # 94: Create a Signature Cocktail

     There is a pretty common saying: In New England, we have four seasons: Winter, Spring, Fall, and Fourth of July! When Fourth of July season does hit, the lemonade starts flowing.

     I am personally not a big fan of lemonade. I do, however, love Strawberries and Mango. So, this cocktail isn't so much about the lemonade as much as it is about everything else.

     The Cocktail: Hard Strawberry-Mango Lemonade

     Anybody can mix together an assortment of liquids, give it a name, and dub it their signature drink. This cocktail is a little bit more involved. But need not fret- you can easily bypass the extra steps if you choose. Here's what's in it:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Sweet and Sour Mix
• 1 oz Vodka
• 1.5 oz Mango Infused Rum
• 5 Tbsp Osmossified Strawberries
• 8 oz Lemonade

Infusing Rum

     That's right! Mango Infused Rum! Here's what you'll need:

• Light Rum (200 ml)
• A Mango (I'm using a Champagne mango. They're so much more delicious than the greenish-red ones)
• Air-tight Jar

 STEP  1

EAT THE MANGO!

     We're doing the yummiest part first. The mango has a core, so just cut to the left and right of it, score the meat, and EAT! Save the core for Step 2.

STEP 2

     You could gnaw on the core, or you could infuse rum (or vodka, or whatever). Make sure the skin is peeled off and put your core in the container. Pour the light rum over it, making sure that there is enough rum to cover the entire mango portion. I am only making a small batch, with 200 ml of rum. If you're doing more, I'd suggest eating more mangoes.

STEP 3

     Make sure to seal the container very tightly. Place in a cool, dark place for four days to a week, shaking a few times each day.

STEP 4
    In a week at the longest, the rum should be infused. Feel free to do a taste test to ensure it's infused to your liking. Discard mango core and strain rum in strainer or cheesecloth. Put back in original bottle or the jar you infused it in.

TA DA! Infused rum.

Osmossifying Strawberries

     This sounds so fancy, doesn't it? Don't be fooled! In reality, I think that this is just called 'Strawberries in a Simple Syrup'. What a boring name! Osmossified Strawberries sounds so much more... Impressive!

     Just cut up some strawberries, sprinkle a generous amount of sugar over them, mix, cover, and store in the fridge until you're ready to eat them. You could alternatively just buy the frozen ones at your grocery store.  Make your own osmossified strawberries once, and you'll never want to eat the ones from the freezer aisle ever again.

 OKAY! All that fancy-dancy stuff is over! Now let's make the drink!


Hard Strawberry-Mango Lemonade

     Before adding ice, put your strawberry syrup on the bottom of the glass. Put a few spoonfuls of the strawberries on the bottom as well. After your ice has been added, pour in your infused rum and vodka, followed by the lemonade. Top off with the sweet and sour mix to help bring back some sweetness that the liquor and melting ice cut.

     This is a very light, summery drink. I couldn't even taste the alcohol. Enjoy it for a few more days before the chill of fall sneaks in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a signature drink?