Tag: gin

mocktail

Mother’s Garden | A Healthy Cocktail or Alcohol-Free Drink Made with Brighter Tonic

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Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

The Mother’s Garden is a drink chockfull of fresh, healthy ingredients. It can be made into a healthy cocktail with the addition of vodka or gin, or it can be enjoyed as an alcohol-free drink that’s sure to boost your spirits.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

There are a lot of cocktails out there that have fresh, healthy ingredients. Gone are the days of heavily-processed syrups and mixes– the American imbiber’s become wiser. We’ve been enlightened to the dangers of trans fat, artificial sweeteners, and pesticides, and we eschew ingredients like artificial coloring and high-fructose corn syrup in favor of those found in nature. Research done by the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2019 shows that Americans are slowly getting better at eating healthy, although this article written by Men’s Health reveals that there’s still a lot of room for improvement.

I think the majority of people do want to eat healthier. So what’s a cocktail-lover to do? Drinking less alcohol is always a good idea. But instead of removing alcohol altogether, there’s another alternative: mix your alcohol with fresh, healthy ingredients.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

This is becoming a lot easier for the American consumer thanks to conscientious companies. There are several that forgo artificial coloring, GMO ingredients, and high-fructose corn syrup like my favorite grenadine company, Bar Smith. Having these kinds of syrup and mixer alternatives is a huge step in the direction of a healthier cocktail. But it doesn’t make a cocktail healthy. You’re spared from consuming fake junk, but you aren’t consuming ingredients with any health benefits.

Enter Brighter Tonic. A beverage that actually delivers the good stuff.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

Brighter Tonic reached out to me a few months ago to see if I’d be interested in trying their product. A quick Google search of the company led me to a speedy reply: YES, PLEASE!

Brighter Tonic is a sparkling apple cider vinegar beverage. Apple cider vinegar is known for its acetic acid which promotes healthy digestion and improves mineral absorption. It’s made with raw organic apple cider vinegar, oils from plants, and maple syrup.

With Brighter Tonic accounting for 50% of the volume in the Mother’s Garden recipe, you can see why I can truthfully call this a healthy cocktail.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

When I took my first sip of Bright (which I captured on an Instagram story), I was really surprised. The word “tonic” in the name made me think it’d taste like tonic water. But it actually tastes similar to kombucha. Ahh. Tonic as in the true definition of the word: a restorative drink that invigorates or strengthens.

I’m a kombucha fanatic and instantly fell in love with this new, healthy elixir.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen me posting about this company. I actually posted a recipe quite similar to Mother’s Garden on an Instagram story. But I’ve been waiting for the day that Brighter Tonic launched their online sales because it didn’t feel right to rave about a fantastic recipe when the general populous had no means to buy the star ingredient.

Friends, that day has come! *cue Hallelujah chorus* You can now get Brighter Tonic shipped right to your door! They have three flavors: lemon lime, blood orange, and lemon ginger turmeric. I suggest getting the sampler pack so you can try them all. I can’t decide which one I like the most so it’s a good thing I’ve got another sampler on the way.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

The point of this post has kinda been to talk about making a healthy cocktail, but you can certainly leave the alcohol out and make it a truly healthy beverage. I’ve made several alcohol-free drinks with Brighter. There are many days when I want something fun but I don’t want a cocktail. The bright (no pun intended) taste of Brighter means you won’t be left with a flavorless mocktail. And all of my alcohol-free friends said THANK YOU.

Perhaps the BEST news in this article is that if you use the code GIRL&TONIC20 between Monday 8-3-20 and Friday 8-7-20, you’ll get 20% off your online order of Brighter Tonic. How awesome is that?! Now you really do have to try it. I mean, it’s discounted. Who doesn’t love saving money?

The reason I’m calling this healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink Mother’s Garden is two-fold:

1) I first made this recipe at my mom’s house using ingredients from her garden. (She’s actually got a great garden blog, with helpful articles about two of the ingredients in Mother Garden’s: cucumber & basil)

2) This is an alcohol-free drink that my mom is actually able to enjoy. You see, my mom is on a strict AIP (auto-immune protocol) diet due to some autoimmune health issues. This means that a lot of commercial products are off-limits to her, making it tricky to find mixers that agree with her body. However, since Brighter Tonic uses maple syrup as a sweetener, it falls on her “good list”! Big thank you to Brighter for using real, high-quality ingredients. You really stand out.

If you try the Mother’s Garden, or even just Brighter, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Ingredients for a Mother’s Garden Healthy Cocktail or Alcohol-Free Drink

  • 1 1/2 oz gin or vodka (omit for alcohol-free or to be AIP-compliant*)
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz honey simple syrup or pure maple syrup
  • 1-2 slices of cucumber
  • 6-8 fresh basil leaves
  • 4 oz lemon-lime Brighter Tonic

*Read this article if you’re curious to see if and when alcohol can be consumed on an AIP diet. Before imbibing, be sure to check with your physician, too.

How to Make a Mother’s Garden Healthy Cocktail or Alcohol-Free Drink

Add the cucumber slices and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle well, using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon. Then, add the basil and gently muddle. Add the alcohol (or not), honey simple syrup, and ice. Shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top the rest of the glass off with the Brighter Tonic. Stir to incorporate. Garnish with a basil spring and a couple slices of lime and cucumber.

Mother’s Garden

A bright, refreshing, & healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with lemon lime Brighter Tonic
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker (or other bottle with lid)

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz gin or vodka (optional – omit to be AIP-friendly*)
  • ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • ½ oz honey simple syrup** or maple syrup
  • 1-2 slices cucumber
  • 6-8 basil leaves
  • ~4 oz lemon-lime Brighter Tonic***

Instructions
 

  • Add the cucumber slices and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle well. Don't be afraid to put some muscle into it.
  • Then, add the basil and gently muddle.
  • Add the alcohol (or not), honey simple syrup, and ice. Shake well.
  • Strain into a glass filled with ice.
  • Top the rest of the glass off with the Brighter Tonic. Stir to incorporate.
  • Garnish with a basil spring and a couple slices of lime and cucumber.

Notes

*To learn about if and when alcohol can be consumed while following an AIP diet, you can talk to your physician and read this article.
**Honey simple syrup takes 1 minute to make. Here’s how to do it.
***Here’s the link to order Brighter Tonic online. You can try subbing a lemon-lime kombucha, too.
Keyword basil, Brighter Tonic, cucumber, gin, honey, honey simple syrup, lime, vodka
Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink
gin

Lavender Empress | An Unforgettable Gin and Tonic with Empress 1908 Gin

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The Lavender Empress is an unforgettable gin and tonic made with Empress 1908 gin. It's sophisticated, floral, and simple.

This Lavender Empress is a Gin and Tonic recipe that’s sophisticated, simple, and memorable. I’ve had countless Gin and Tonics in my life and I’ve enjoyed them all. But never has one stood out from the rest– until now. And it’s all thanks to the Empress 1908 Gin.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

The Gin and Tonic is one of the oldest cocktails in existence. As with many classic cocktails, there are a few origin stories floating around out there. Most people agree that this combination was invented in India during the 18th century while others claim it was created in Holland the century before that. What’s clear is that gin was created as a type of medicine in the 17th century and tonic consumption was encouraged for British citizens who were relocating to India.

Someone somewhere discovered that adding gin to the malaria-fighting tonic water made it a much more palatable remedy. Tonic water no longer has enough quinine in it to provide any kind of anti-malarial benefits but it still tastes dang good with gin.

The Lavender Empress is an unforgettable gin and tonic made with Empress 1908 gin. It's sophisticated, floral, and simple.

Gin and Tonics are one of my personal favorite cocktails, but they’re often seen as being bland and boring. This Gin and Tonic is anything but. First off, it’s purple. There’s something about sipping on a purple cocktail that’ll lift your spirits. Really. Try being angry while you drink a dainty purple drink. I just don’t think it’s possible.

Secondly, the specific gin I used in this Lavender Empress makes alllll the difference. I’m still learning a lot about the world of gin (it’s quite large, as it turns out) but so far, I’ve learned that gin varies more from one brand to another than any other liquor. Rum is going to taste rum-y. All tequilas have a similar tone. But gin varies wildly from bottle to bottle and I love that about it.

Now all you whiskey and tequila purists out there, don’t hear me wrong. I know that they don’t all taste the same. But all tequila is gonna taste like blue agave because by definition it must be made from blue agave to be considered tequila. And while gin is always distilled from juniper berries and other botanicals, it’s the ‘other botanicals’ part that leaves the door wide-open for diversity.

The Lavender Empress is an unforgettable gin and tonic made with Empress 1908 gin. It's sophisticated, floral, and simple.

Empress 1908 gin is what I used in the Lavender Empress recipe. It’s made with juniper berries, grapefruit peel, coriander seeds, rose petals, cinnamon, ginger root, the exclusive black tea served at the Empress Hotel, and butterfly pea blossoms. Mhmm. Yeah. Now you’re starting to understand why I say this Gin and Tonic recipe is memorable.

The butterfly pea blossom is where the Empress 1908 gets it’s color from. Before it’s mixed with anything, this gin is actually a deep indigo. However, after mixing it with different ingredients like citrus and tonic, it’ll change colors. It can turn fuchsia, lavender, or light pink. Just watch the color change when I add the tonic water. It goes from indigo to a gorgeous lavender:

Knowing that the gin was distilled with rose petals, I wanted to bring out that floral element. I considered using my rose simple syrup or a drop of rose water, but if you’ve had either before, you know how easily they can overpower a drink. I didn’t want to risk doing that to such a precious gin. Instead, I turned to lavender.

One of the things that people love about Gin & Tonics is that they’re dry and not sweet. By only adding 1/4 oz of the lavender simple syrup, you’re able to highlight the floral elements in the Empress 1908 Gin without covering up the bitterness of the tonic. But as I always say, cocktails are meant to be customized so feel free to add more lavender simple syrup if you’re into sweeter drinks. Lavender simple syrup is really easy to make. Hand to heart. You can find my step-by-step recipe here.

I also added a splash of grapefruit juice since Empress 1908 gin has grapefruit notes. I don’t think it’s necessary to add this and I would definitely make sure not to add too much. Just a literal splash or squeeze will do.

The Lavender Empress is an unforgettable gin and tonic made with Empress 1908 gin. It's sophisticated, floral, and simple.

If you wanna find out if a liquor store near you is selling Empress 1908, you can use the company’s Find Your Empress page. This gin is unique, fun (color-changing!!), and reasonably priced. If you don’t have Empress 1908, you can use whatever gin you’ve got in your liquor cabinet. The Lavender Empress will still taste floral and light, although it may be more appropriate to call it a Lavender Gin & Tonic. But if you can get your hands on some Empress 1908, do it! (I have two sample bottles thanks to my generous friend Mark!)

Ingredients for a Lavender Empress Gin and Tonic

How to Make a Lavender Empress Gin and Tonic

In a cocktail shaker or measuring glass, combine the Empress 1908 gin and the lavender simple syrup. Add a handful of ice and stir to both combine and chill. Strain into a lowball glass filled with ice. Top off the rest of the glass with tonic water & watch the color change before your eyes. Add a small splash or squeeze of grapefruit juice. Stir again before enjoying.

Lavender Empress Gin and Tonic

The Lavender Empress is a sophisticated & floral gin and tonic made with Empress 1908 gin.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz Empress 1908 gin
  • ¼ oz lavender simple syrup (see the note for recipe)
  • 4+ oz tonic water
  • splash grapefruit juice -optional

Instructions
 

  • In a cocktail shaker or measuring glass, combine the Empress 1908 gin, the lavender simple syrup, and handful of ice.
  • Stir to both combine and chill the ingredients.
  • Strain into a lowball glass filled with ice.
  • Top off the rest of the glass with tonic water & watch the color change before your eyes.
  • Add a small splash or squeeze of grapefruit juice.
  • Stir again before enjoying.

Notes

You can find a super simple lavender syrup recipe here.
You can make the Lavender Empress using a different gin and it will still be light and floral. Just know it won’t taste the same because Empress1908 truly is unique.
Keyword gin, grapefruit juice, lavender, lavender simple syrup, tonic
The Lavender Empress is a refined and floral gin and tonic recipe made with Empress 1908 gin.
gin

Bee’s Knees | An Easy 3-Ingredient Classic Cocktail with Honey and Gin

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The Bee's Knees cocktail recipe has been around since the Prohibition. This classic cocktail has only three simple ingredients, making it the perfect cocktail for anyone looking to get into mixing drinks at home.

The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a classic drink that’s been around since the early 1900s. In recent years, with the rise of craft cocktails and home bartending, it’s regaining popularity. I’m glad it’s getting a lot of recognition these days.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

There are a lot of classic cocktails out there that I’d never heard of prior to making my own drinks at home. I’d heard of a Daiquiri, an Old Fashioned, a French 75, and a Whiskey Sour. But now that I’m taking this mixology hobby more seriously, I’ve discovered other classics like the South Side and the New York Sour, and now the Bee’s Knees.

I looked up the history of the Bee’s Knees cocktail and, like so many other classic drinks, it’s got a great story. And again, like so many others, its origins date back to the Prohibition.

The Bee's Knees cocktail recipe has been around since the Prohibition. This classic cocktail has only three simple ingredients, making it the perfect cocktail for anyone looking to get into mixing drinks at home. You'll need gin, honey simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice.

During the Prohibition-era, referring to something as “the bee’s knees” was a common way to say something was the best. And you could say that this cocktail recipe was the bee’s knees at covering up the smell and taste of bathtub gin.

Wait- what? Bathtub gin? Remember that this recipe dates back to the Prohibition… which means that alcohol was outlawed. With no legal way to mass-produce liquor, innovative Americans came up with alternatives. Some was made in bathtubs, yes, but that’s really just a term to refer to illicit, homemade alcohol.

Gin was the easiest of the liquors to make, which is why there are so many Prohibition-era cocktails that use gin. It was really hard to mimic the flavors of bourbon and scotch since they couldn’t risk aging anything for fear of authorities discovering their stores. (Some people actually used dead rats, rotten meat, and wood tar in attempts to emulate these distinct flavors… yeah…) If you’re interested in reading more about bathtub liquor, check out this article by the Smithsonian and this one by Prohibition: An Interactive History (super cool site, btw).

The Bee's Knees cocktail recipe has been around since the Prohibition. This classic cocktail has only three simple ingredients, making it the perfect cocktail for anyone looking to get into mixing drinks at home. You'll need gin, honey simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice.

There are several different recipes out there for a Bee’s Knees cocktail. While all recipes utilize the same 3 ingredients, there are a lot of different ratios. I tried a few and found I like this one the most. I found that using equal parts lemon juice to honey syrup allowed the honey flavor to come through. Feel free to play around with the ratios a bit to see what you like.

I saw the name of this cocktail pop up somewhere in my Instagram feed a while back and it instantly caught my attention. I love bees (all insects, really).

The Bee's Knees cocktail recipe has been around since the Prohibition. This classic cocktail has only three simple ingredients, making it the perfect cocktail for anyone looking to get into mixing drinks at home. You'll need gin, honey simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice.

I really do love bugs and creepy crawlies. When I was little, my favorite past time was looking for (and collecting…) rollie pollies, worms, and beetles outside with the neighborhood kids. And when the weather didn’t allow for that, I’d get out my giant Sterlite bin filled with plastic bugs and set them up all over my room and play “insect explorer”.

One day, I’d love to add some bees to our little homestead out here in the country. How cool would it be to make a Bee’s Knees using honey my own bees made? But don’t worry, I don’t plan on adding bathtub gin to my liquor collection anytime soon.

Ingredients for a Bee’s Knees Cocktail

How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail

Add all three ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

See? Easy.

Bee’s Knees

The Bee's Knees is a classic gin cocktail with honey and lemon juice.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz gin
  • ¾ oz honey simple syrup (see note for recipe)
  • ¾ oz freshly-squeezed lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake well, about 20 seconds.
  • Strain into a coupe glass.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes

To make the honey simple syrup, heat 1 part water to 1 part honey until the honey dissolves into the water. This makes it much easier to incorporate honey into an ice-cold drink. For more information about honey simple syrup, you can read my post about it.
Keyword gin, honey, honey simple syrup, lemon, lemon juice

If you enjoyed this drink, you’re sure to like my spiced honey French 75. \\

gin

Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries| A Classic Cocktail with 5 Ingredients

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Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries | The Clover Club is a classic cocktail that's been around since the early 1900s. Originally created as the signature drink of a gentlemen's club, this libation is now considered a classic craft cocktail. Whether you typically like fruit cocktails or not, this is one drink you've gotta try.

It may sound like an exclusive establishment, but the Clover Club is actually a classic cocktail. Well, it was an exclusive establishment at one point. The Clover Club was a gentlemen’s club for journalists in Philadelphia back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Clover Club was located in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel on South Broad Street until the Prohibition led it to its demise in the 1920s.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like!

The Clover Club cocktail’s signature drink recipe was this very one. The Clover Club was the club’s preferred drink for years. Yep. A bright pink drink with raspberries was the most popular drink at a men’s club. I love that. It just goes to prove that cocktails do not have a gender. I don’t think drinks should be described as “girly” or “masculine”. Don’t be deterred by ordering a cocktail because you think it’s going to be perceived in a certain way. If the ingredients sound good, order it. If they don’t, then don’t.

Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries | The Clover Club is a classic cocktail that's been around since the early 1900s. Originally created as the signature drink of a gentlemen's club, this libation is now considered a classic craft cocktail. Whether you typically like fruit cocktails or not, this is one drink you've gotta try.

Anyway, the Clover Club did eventually fall out of popularity as more and more bars began using commercial-made syrups. Few bars kept fresh ingredients like raspberries, or even eggs, on hand to make cocktails. But now, thanks to the reemergence of Prohibition and Pre-Prohibition cocktails, the Clover Club cocktail is back on the lips of bartenders and bar-goers.

The traditional recipe calls for raspberry syrup which is simple enough to make at home. You can find a recipe for it here. If you make it, you could also add it to iced tea, lemonade, Sprite, or sparkling water for a fun alcohol-free treat.

However, I went the fresh raspberry route because it’s faster. Many bartenders use this method and I think it turned out well. Next time, I think I’ll try making the syrup for the heck of it. You could even use a couple spoonfuls of raspberry preserves if you have those in your fridge. Whether you choose to use straight-up raspberries or you opt to make the syrup, I implore you — DO NOT skip the egg! I know, I know… raw egg white in a cocktail sounds a little scary. I myself was hesitant to ever use one in a drink until almost 7 years into my cocktail-making journey.

Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries | The Clover Club is a classic cocktail that's been around since the early 1900s. Originally created as the signature drink of a gentlemen's club, this libation is now considered a classic craft cocktail. Whether you typically like fruit cocktails or not, this is one drink you've gotta try.

The first cocktail I made with a raw egg white was a whiskey sour. In preparation to make that drink, I did a little research and learned that only 1 in 20,000 eggs have Salmonella and that the average consumer will encounter 1 contaminated egg every 84 years. That made me feel more comfortable to try this unique ingredient out.

Incorporating an egg white into a cocktail recipe not only adds a silky smooth feel to the drink, but it also creates a beautiful foam. Adding egg whites also helps round out the harshness in some tart or bitter drinks. The Gin Campari Sour recipe calls for an egg white and it makes ALL the difference in that one.

After seeing the Clover Club pop up constantly on my Instagram feed, I’m glad to have finally made and enjoyed my first one. If you make one, be sure to tag me (@girlandtonic_) on Instagram!

Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries | The Clover Club is a classic cocktail that's been around since the early 1900s. Originally created as the signature drink of a gentlemen's club, this libation is now considered a classic craft cocktail. Whether you typically like fruit cocktails or not, this is one drink you've gotta try.

Ingredients for a Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries

How to Make a Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries

Add the gin, lemon juice, and raspberries to a cocktail shaker. Muddle the raspberries with a muddler or a back of a spoon, enough to smoosh them a bit. No need to pulverize them as that will just make it more difficult to strain later. Add the simple syrup and the egg white.

Now, we’re going to do a “dry shake”, which means we are going to shake the ingredients without ice in the cocktail shaker. The reason we do this is because it’ll help the egg white get extra foamy. Careful, though, because some metal cocktails shakers will leak a bit since the metal won’t be cold enough to contract and create a tight seal. I always do dry shakes over the sink. Dry shake for 20-30 seconds.

Next, add ice. This is a “wet shake”. Shake well for 30-45 seconds. I know. It seems excessive. But the more you shake, the more lush & meringue-y the foam will be.

Double-strain over a coupe glass. To double strain, pour the cocktail into a small mesh strainer over the glass. This will catch all the small raspberry seeds and pulp that find their way through the first strainer.

As the drink sits, the foam will rise to the top. Place a raspberry-clad cocktail pick onto that pillow-y goodness and enjoy.

Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries

A classic cocktail with raspberries dating back to the Pre-Prohibition era.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker
  • small mesh strainer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ oz gin
  • ¾ oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 4-6 raspberries
  • ½ oz simple syrup (see notes for recipe)
  • 1 egg white

Instructions
 

  • Add the gin, lemon juice, and raspberries to a cocktail shaker.
  • Muddle the raspberries with a muddler or a back of a spoon, enough to smoosh them a bit. No need to pulverize them as that will just make it more difficult to strain later.
  • Add the simple syrup and the egg white.
  • Do a "dry shake" (without ice) in your cocktail shaker for 20-30 seconds.
  • Add ice ("wet shake") and shake well from 30-45 seconds. The more you shake it, the better the foam.
  • Double-strain* into a coupe glass.
  • Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Notes

To make simple syrup, look at this easy 2-ingredient, 5-minute recipe.
*To double strain, pour the cocktail into a small mesh strainer over the glass. This will catch all the small raspberry seeds and pulp that find their way through the strainer that’s built into your cocktail shaker or your Hawthorne strainer.
Keyword egg white, gin, lemon, lemon juice, raspberries, simple syrup
Clover Club Cocktail with Fresh Raspberries | The Clover Club is a classic cocktail that's been around since the early 1900s. Originally created as the signature drink of a gentlemen's club, this libation is now considered a classic craft cocktail. Whether you typically like fruit cocktails or not, this is one drink you've gotta try.
gin

South Side Cocktail| A Sophisticated Mint Cocktail with 4 Ingredients

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The South Side cocktail is a perfect summer cocktail. This mint cocktail is bright and refreshing and has been around since the Prohibition. Only 4 ingredients stand between you and minty lemony bliss.

I was so excited to stumble upon the recipe for the South Side cocktail. I saw it in a post about Prohibition-era cocktails and knew I needed to make it–tonight. I’ve been craving mint lately. Partly because it’s getting *rather* warm out here in Texas, and partly because I really want to use the mint I’ve got growing on my front porch.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

I can’t tell you how many mint plants I’ve bought over the last 10 years. And I’ve killed them all in a matter of weeks. But this one… this one is thriving and I’m admittedly very proud. I love plants (you can take a peek at some of my plant collection in this post) but I’ve always struggled with herbs. As of today, my mint and basil are going nuts and I’ve got some chives, rosemary, and thyme sprouting. I’ve got my eye on this cute outdoor shelf to display all my herb pretties. It’ll be my motivation to keep everything happy & healthy.

In the past when I’ve bought herb plants, I was ironically hesitant to actually use them. I thought that if I kept cutting the stems and leaves off, they would stop growing. So I used them sparingly. The plants would either then die or “bolt”. When herbs bolt, it means they are directing all their energy towards producing flowers instead of leaves or healthier roots. These flowers will produce seeds so the plant has the hope of carrying on their little heritage. Bolting is like a plant’s Hail Mary. “Looks like everything’s gone to sh*t; here’s the last call in the playbook!”

When an herb bolts, it alters the taste. One way to keep your herbs from bolting is to harvest them frequently. Yeah… remember I said I used my herbs sparingly? Don’t be like me. If you harvest the leaves on the top of your herb plant, it actually encourages your plant to grow more. If you cut off (or pinch… who’s got time for scissors) the top few leaves, it encourages the plant to grow out horizontally and get bushier instead of growing upwards and turning spindly.

The South Side cocktail is a perfect summer cocktail. This mint cocktail is bright and refreshing and has been around since the Prohibition. Only 4 ingredients stand between you and minty sweet bliss.

If you’re wanting to know more about this process and the science behind it, this post by Amanda of Herbs at Home goes into a lot more detail. Moral of the story: don’t let your herbs bolt.

So, now you can see why I’m eager to utilize mint in cocktails these days. On to the drink that’s going to help me regularly harvest my mint…

The South Side cocktail is 4 ingredient classic cocktail that's been around since the Prohibition era. The best Prairie gin is a perfect choice for this mint cocktail.

The South Side is crisp, refreshing, and clean. I love a good Mojito (who doesn’t?) and that’s been my go-to for years when I was craving something minty, but this cocktail has a very different feel. Serving it up in a coupe glass without bubbles adds a layer of sophistication.

The South Side is definitely vying for the number one spot as my favorite mint cocktail. Picking a winner’s gonna be hard. I’ve been crushing on The Campari To-Kill-Ya that I posted earlier this week, but this one’s really good, too. The two have totally different vibes though, so maybe I need to create subcategories in this Best Mint Cocktail Competition: Most Unique Mint Cocktail & Most Sophisticated Mint Cocktail. Mmk yeah, I like.

So, here is the winner for the Most Sophisticated Mint Cocktail: the South Side cocktail.

The South Side cocktail is 4 ingredient classic cocktail that's been around since the Prohibition era. The best Prairie gin is a perfect choice for this mint cocktail.

Ingredients for a South Side Cocktail

  • 2 oz gin (I used Prairie, an organic gin)
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup (get the recipe here)
  • 5-7 mint leaves

How to Make a South Side Cocktail

Gently muddle the mint leaves with the lemon juice in a shaker. You don’t need to obliterate the mint (that can actually make the mint taste bitter). Just bruise the leaves enough so they release their oils. Add the gin, simple syrup, and a generous amount of ice. Shake well, about 30 solid seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with mint and a lemon twist.

The South Side cocktail is a perfect summer cocktail. This mint cocktail is bright and refreshing and has been around since the Prohibition. Only 4 ingredients stand between you and minty sweet bliss.

Interested in making another mint cocktail? Check out the Campari To-Kill-Ya. Want to sip on another gin drink? Check out the classic Gimlet.

The South Side cocktail is a perfect summer cocktail. This mint cocktail is bright and refreshing and has been around since the Prohibition. Only 4 ingredients stand between you and minty sweet bliss.
Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup