Many people celebrate Labor Day as the last hoorah of summer. One last party blowout before the kids go back to school and people fall back into their normal routines. Well, there's nothing normal about this year or our routines. Besides, this is the official last weekend of summer before Autumn begins.
Though it doesn't feel like fall outside, it's a little too late for tiki drinks and too hot for heavy winter warmers. So what do you drink? How about that neglected bottle of Lillet that's been sitting in your fridge for months?! This French aperitif is great to sip on chilled with a lemon twist and is a main ingredient for both the Corpse Reviver and Vesper. The wife found a delicious recipe for Lillet Lemonade from Salt & Wind that's been her go to for the past few weeks. It's pure summer in a glass. I wanted something a little heavier so we played around with Lillet Le Blanc, which we thought was a little too sweet, and came up with our own concoction. It's a little tart, a little sweet and packs a punch. We aptly named it 2020.
His Cocktail - 2020
1 1/2 oz Lillet
3/4 oz Cognac
3/4 oz Fresh lime juice
3/4 oz Fresh orange juice
1/2 oz Honey syrup (used just shy of 1/2 oz)
Dash of Orange bitters
Dash of Angostura bitters
Orange peel for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all your ingredients and shake until chilled. Pour into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange peel.
Her Cocktail - Lillet Lemonade (by Aida Mollenkamp via Salt & Wind)
2 1/2 oz Lillet
1/2 oz Gin (Hendricks Summer Solistice)
1/2 oz Fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz Honey syrup (wife omits)
2 oz Club soda
Lemon peel for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all your ingredients except for the club soda. Shake until chilled. Pour into a rocks glass filled with ice, top off with club soda and a lemon peel for garnish.
Honey Syrup
Combine equal amounts honey and water in a saucepan over medium low heat. Stir until honey dissolves and pull off heat before it boils. Allow to cool. Will keep, covered, in fridge for several weeks.
Happy drinking!