Southern Protocol

I’m sure many of you are skipping over this paragraph right now, just to get to the actual recipe for this cocktail as fast as you can – at least that’s what I’d be doing! How good does it sound?! The other month I bought a basil plant at the farmer’s market in Marion Square, and it is absolutely ginormous now… but even for someone who adores basil as much as I do, it’s a LOT of basil to handle! So I started researching cocktails as well as recipes, and stumbled upon this fantastic one from (who else?) Martha Stewart. Enjoy!

Watermelon Basil Margaritas
7.5 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
4 teaspoons superfine sugar
6 ounces (3/4 cup) silver tequila
24 basil leaves, plus a few extra sprigs for garnish
3 ounces (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) triple sec
6 cups small ice cubes

Place 24 watermelon cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover and freeze for at least one hour (up to 2 days).

Puree remaining watermelon and the sugar in a blender until smooth. Pass through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl (you should have about three cups).

Place tequila and basil in a glass pitcher, and crush with a wooden spoon. Stir in watermelon juice and triple sec.

Place watermelon cubes in glasses. Using a cocktail shaker, mix 3/4 cup margarita with 1 cup ice. Strain into a glass. Repeat. Garnish with sprig of basil.

Vodka. It’s the happy hour drink of choice here at Southern Protocol. Did we realize everyone knew that? Not necessarily… which is why we were curiously delighted at the email we received this morning from a mystery New York company outlining three (quite tasty looking) drink recipes, all using Van Gogh Vodka. We’re not selfish people, so we decided to share!

These drinks are perfect for late summer fetes… they can be made ahead of time, and are fun updates on tried and true warm weather classics!

Blueberry Mojito (you know I love my mojitos!)
28 oz Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka
14 oz fresh lime juice
7 oz simple syrup
Mint leaves
Fresh blueberries
Club soda

Muddle mint leaves, blueberries, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Stir in Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka and lime juice. Then add ice and top with club soda. Serve in a highball glass garnished with a mint sprig or skewer of blueberries.

Sparkling Dutch Red Sangria
1 bottle dry red wine
3 oz Triple Sec Liqueur
3 oz Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka
6 oz Grenadine
1/2 Bottle pomegranate juice
1/2 bottle Pommery Brut Royal Champagne
1 orange, sliced
Cinnamon sticks

Combine the first five ingredients. Add champagne and give a quick stir. Pour mixture over ice and add slices of orange. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick.

(I just realized this last recipe isn’t made with vodka… oh well! It still sounds nice and refreshing!)

Early Riser
19 oz Ron Abuelo Anejo
6 oz Jumbie Coconut Splash
13 oz fresh mango juice
13 oz fresh pineapple juice
Maraschino cherries
Orange slices
Sugar cane stick

Pour all ingredients into a pitcher and stir vigorously.  Add ice, cherries and orange slices. To serve, pour into a tall glass and garnish with sugar cane stick.

All recipes came our way via Talbert Communications, Ltd in New York. Cheers!