Earlier this summer, the wife and I spent a month in Mississippi. Part of the time, we explored neighboring cities, sampled the local cuisine and frequented a few local breweries. The rest of the time we spent, relaxing, in solitude, at our abode enjoying every single minute of peace and quiet that came with our charming farmhouse rental. Did I also mention that I spent most of the time standing in front of the A/C while the wife was huddled up in a blanket?
See, Mississippi's June weather is the equivalent of South Carolina's August weather. Unbearably hot, oppressive and muggy. The weather hangs on you like a wet t-shirt. And yet, the wife would insist cocktail time be spent outside, on the porch(es). Luckily the weather did seem to settle in the evening. I had the ceiling fan on high, directly above me, and there was always a nice breeze.
Of course, the wife also insisted on gin cocktails as they would be lighter and more refreshing than any other spirit option available. She was right. Ice cold gin with the aperitif aspect of grapefruit was a thirst quencher I'd been looking for. I will admit, one of our recipes called for fresh tarragon. Well, did I mention grocery stores are few and far between down here? Let's just say this was like the time we tried looking for mint in Kodiak, AK for the Kentucky Derby but with no luck. So we had to do without and we both think the drink was lacking the punch this herb would have provided. If you're in a pinch like we were though, feel free to leave it out. It's still tasty. And as always, we reduced the amount of simple syrup we used in our cocktails. Taste your grapefruit first, as you too may need to reduce the amount of syrup used.
His Cocktail - Grapefruit Collins (Ice Plant Bar)
2 ounces Gin
1/2 ounce simple syrup (used 1/4 ounce)
1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
2 dashes grapefruit bitters
Soda Water
Lemon twist
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all the ingredients except for the soda water. Shake until chilled. Strain into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon twist.
Her Cocktail - GG&T (Lewis BBQ - Charleston)
1 1/2 ounces gin
1 ounce agave simple syrup (used 1/4 ounce)
3 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
2 sprigs tarragon for garnish, slapped
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all the ingredients. Shake until chilled. Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with tarragon.
Happy drinking!