In case you missed us last week, we were having an end of summer family vacation. It was a wonderful week filled with fishing, boats, jet skis, grand-kids, ice cream making…and, yes, a few cocktails. But not much time for writing. We promise we’ll make it up to you! The picture above is sunrise at Cedar Creek Lake.
Drink of the Week
Several of my taste testers had requested a watermelon cocktail. I found this recipe in The Tipsy Texas by David Alan. The book is full of great Texas cocktails and cuisine.
This cocktail fit the bill since it uses vodka (not gin!), watermelon, and Elderflower Liqueur.
The Sandia was the 2009 winner of The Official Drink of Austin contest. Who knew there was such a thing? The contest is organized by a non-profit called Austin Food & Wine Alliance. The only prerequisite is that contestants, who often compete as teams, must use at least one local ingredient. The Sandia used Tito’s Vodka (distilled in Texas) and you can’t get more Texan than watermelon!!
The 2018 winner from Austin’s restaurant Juniper is a cocktail called Town Lake Yacht Club . The local ingredient is Waterloo Gin. I will put that one on the list. I think Lynda has tried Waterloo ….right ??? Let us know. (Yes, I have tried Waterloo Gin. It’s very drinkable. I can recommend it in a gin & tonic. ~Lynda)
The contest takes place in Austin every May. Can you say road trip?!
The Sandia was really good. All of my tasters liked it. Kind of a watermelon margarita. The Elderflower Liqueur was noticeable but not overpowering.
SANDIA
2 oz vodka (Tito’s Handmade)
3/4 oz Elderflower Liqueur
1 1/2 oz watermelon water (recipe below)
3/4 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 oz agave syrup (optional, depending on the sweetness of your watermelon)
Glass: Chilled Martini or Coupe
Garnish: Watermelon ball; skewered
Watermelon water – crush watermelon with a muddler and push through a strainer; or blend in a blender and pour through a strainer.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini or coupe. Add skewered watermelon ball as a garnish.
Because you asked…
A reader recently asked:
Bellini
Recipe from Claudio Ponzio, Head Barman at Harry’s Bar
One third fresh peach juice and two thirds chilled Prosecco sparkling wine. Make sure to pour the peach juice into the glass first.
(Note: the recipe I used called for 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice. I also added a few fresh cubes of peach in the glass.)
Hope you enjoyed our stories and the cocktails that go with them. As always, thanks for reading and be sure to let us know if you try a cocktail or have one you want to learn more about.
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I did a little research and found that the founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice, Guiseppe Ciprani was the inventor of the Bellini. I do know the
reader who asked this question and I know he likes his champagne so I’m guessing that maybe this is the drink. Harry’s Bar was founded in 1931. Harry’s Bar was declared a national landmark by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs in 2001. It might be a place to put on your bucket list.
(Note to Jerry: If this is not the drink you remember, I’ll do some more research.)
Here’s a blog and the website for Harry’s Bar.