Cocktail Recipes that Require a Muddler.

We made it to Friday! Cheers!

I have had such a busy week, which I know I keep saying, but the amount of work I’m buried under is quite terrifying, but I’m just trying to do as much as I can every day, while still giving my best.

It’s a struggle, and I know we’ve all probably had those moments where our personality becomes: I’m busy with work.

So, that’s where I’m at.

And hey, maybe that means I need to sneak in time for a cocktail?!

I know it probably sounds a little silly to make a list of cocktails that require a muddler, but hear me out. About a month ago, Uncommon James had a huge sale, and I bought all of their bar goodies: a copper cocktail shaker, a copper cocktail stirrer, and a wooden muddler.

When I’m making cocktails for myself, I usually don’t go for the craft cocktails. I might make the effort to make a margarita with fresh-squeezed juice, but that’s about it.

But now that I have these CUTE supplies, I’m like ok I need to make some fresh n’ fruity cocktails that I can smash with this little wooden bat – ha!

So, I rounded up some recipes that sound delish. I tried to find unique ones (i.e. not a mojito) that would be good for spring and summer.

Let’s dive in:

Ideas for a Smash

A smash is similar to a mojito in that it’s a combination of alcohol, herbs, sugar, ice, and optional fruit. I found an awesome list of ideas for smashes and I added some of my own, too!

• Peaches + bourbon + mint
• Strawberries + gin + thyme
• Cherries + rye + tarragon
• Raspberries + rum + basil
• Pineapple + tequila + basil (mint would be great, too)
• Nectarines + whiskey + lemon verbena
• Watermelon + rum + basil
• Blueberries + bourbon + thyme

The T

This is a cocktail served in Boston and it sounds fabulous!

Muddle a grapefruit slice with lime juice and orange bitters. Add tequila, Aperol and agave, and shake with lots of ice. Pour into glass and garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Summer Breeze

For this, you’ll need 1 orange slice, a splash of orange liqueur, 2oz bourbon whiskey, and 2oz ginger ale. Muddle the orange slice with the liqueur, then add the bourbon and ginger ale. Give it a stir, then add ice.

Kiwi Martini

This one sounds so summery! You’ll need a half a kiwi, sliced (without its skin), 1 tsp simple syrup, 1.5oz vodka, and a kiwi slice for garnish. Muddle the kiwi and the simple syrup together. Then, add ice and the vodka and shake.

Strain into a chilled glass and serve with a slice of kiwi.

Strawberry Vodka Lemonade

Although the strawberry sounds delicious (it reminds me of the Italian ice from Fazoli’s), you could also use blueberries, or both! Start with four strawberries, 1.5oz vodka, 3oz lemonade, and a sliced strawberry for garnish.

Muddle the strawberries. Next, add ice and the vodka. Top with lemonade and garnish.

Mango Spice Cocktail

I used to live right by a California Pizza Kitchen and in the summer, they served mango margaritas and this sounds similar to those 🙂

You’ll need 1oz mango nectar, 3 slices jalapeno (divided), 1/2oz agave nectar, 1.5oz mango vodka, 3/4oz of fresh-squeezed lime juice, and a dash of orange bitters.

Muddle the nectar, jalapeno and agave. Add the vodka, lime juice, and bitters, and fill the shaker with ice. Shake well and then strain into a glass. Garnish with a jalapeno slice.

Jalapeno Margarita

Are you noticing a theme? You’ll need a jalapeno (seeded, sliced), 1.5oz tequila, .5oz orange liqueur, 1oz lime juice, .5 tsp agave nectar, a dash of orange bitters, and an extra slice of jalapeno for garnish.

Muddle the jalapeno. Put the rest of the ingredients (minus the garnish) and ice in a shaker, with the muddled jalapeno. Shake and strain. Pour over ice and garnish.

Watermelon Cucumber Cooler

Gin was the first alcohol I really drank when I turned 21 — I’d get gin dirty martinis 🙂 So, I saw this and thought it sounded like a cool spa drink.

1.5oz watermelon juice, 3 slices of cucumbers (save 1 for a garnish), 1.5oz gin, .5oz simple syrup, 3/4oz lime juice, pinch of salt, and 1.5oz soda water.

Muddle the watermelon chunks or just use the juice 🙂 and muddle that with the cucumber slices. Add the gin, simple syrup, lime juice, and salt. Fill the shaker with ice and shake.

Strain into a glass and add ice. Top with soda water and add garnish.

Cheers!

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