Market-Fresh Mixology

Growing up I have fond memories of helping my mother pick beets from my grandpas Henry’s garden. We ate them in as many ways as Bubba did with his shrimp.

It is one thing to eat a beet, but mix one in a cocktail? You bet!

Roasting beets turns the natural sugars to concentrate, creating a sweet juice. Add a little lime and tequila and you have a savory twist on the Margarita.

Beet juice sings when mixed with gin. Give a new life to your Lime Rickey by adding a ½ oz of fresh beet juice to the recipe. The juniper will carry the sweetness from the beet and create a bold new flavor to this classic.

Beets are full of nutritional value too. They are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. This tasty veggie is high in dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, vitamin C, iron and magnesium.

Mix equal portions of juice from a beet, carrot and an apple. Stir over ice and serve. This makes a delicious no proof cocktail. Not only does it taste good, it is good for you.

Have fun with the many beet cocktail possibilities!

Cheers!
Bridget

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Nothing says “late summer” like mixing up a tasty veggie inspired cocktail from my garden. It’s like capturing the last bit of summertime in my glass.

There are fun and easy guidelines for mixing with these savory flavors. To begin, don’t fear the veggies! Use them in your cocktails the same way you would a salad or a side dish.

Choose veggies that have sweet and rich flavors. You can balance your favorite cocktails by muddling them into the recipe or by simply using the juice.

Below are some of my favorite combinations:

• Carrot & ginger goes great with citrus vodka based cocktails. The carrot juice gives a sweet edge while the ginger will add a tasty zing.
• Jalapeno pepper, mango and lemon sorbet is a great combination and let’s not forget the tequila! Tequila and jalapenos go together as naturally as peas and carrots. The spiciness from the pepper can withstand and capture the agave flavor of the tequila. Add your favorite lemon sorbet and mango to the mix and your palate will have a fiesta.
• Cucumber, papaya and gin. A fantastic play on the juniper flavor of gin. Add a bit of cucumber to your classic gin cocktails and a hint of papaya. The cucumber adds freshness when muddled. The papaya will give it a boost with just the right amount of island flavor.

The combinations you mix with are really up to you. Trust your palate and most of all have fun!

Cheers,
Bridget

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