Summer Is Icumen In
English
poetry begins with a stag breaking wind. Or, at least, it does if you pick up
The Oxford Book of English Verse, where the song, ‘Sumer is icumen in’, begins
the book’s selection from eight centuries of English poetry.
If
you would rather start your summer in a different way, let us suggest Limoncello,
the traditional Italian digestivo/aperitivo. This refreshing drink is popular
in the Mediterranean region for good reason. It's made from the zest of
lemons and combined with simple syrup for a sweet touch that's perfect for
dessert. It's all you need on days and nights where you can’t bear the thought
of a heavy beer or a bold red wine.
If
you’re looking for ways of enjoying it other than straight, here are some ways
to use the citrus drink, from a martini to a syrup-heavy margarita.
We
posted the recipe for making your own Limoncello here:
If
you’d rather not make your own, there are several brands available in your
local Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores ranging from $17 to $33.
Limoncello Margaritas
Ingredients:
2 oz. frozen limeade concentrate or lemonade concentrate
2 oz. water
2 oz. Triple Sec
2 oz. Silver Tequila
2 oz. Limoncello
½ oz. Agave Nectar
1 lemon- zest, yellow coarse cugar, and Margarita salt for the rim
2-3 cups crushed ice
Lemon Slices
Directions:
Combine coarse sugar, margarita salt, and lemon
zest in a shallow bowl. Rub the rim of a cocktail glass with a half slice of
lemon. Turn the lemon-rubbed glass upside down and dip the rim into the salt
mixture. Set the glass upright to let dry a couple of minutes. Pour crushed ice
into a cocktail shaker. Pour all drink ingredients over the ice, tightly cover,
and shake for 30 seconds. Pour into prepared glasses.
Lemon Drop Martini
Add a splash of Triple
Sec or orange liqueur if you want to add flavor.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Limoncello
1/2 oz. lime juice
lemon twist, for
garnish
ice cubes
Directions:
Fill cocktail shaker halfway through with
fresh ice. Add vodka, Limoncello, and lime juice to the shaker and shake
vigorously. Strain cocktail into martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and
serve.
Paloma Cocktail
Try this as a refreshing
summer drink.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Tequila
½ oz. Limoncello
6 oz. Grapefruit Soda
Directions:
Fill a glass with ice, Tequila, and
Limoncello. Top with grapefruit soda. Rim with salt if desired, and garnish
with a grapefruit slice and sprig of thyme.
Sparkling Limoncello Sangria
A sparkling sangria that's
sure to be a hit at parties.
Ingredients:
1 cup raspberries
1 lemon, zest of
3 fluid oz. pink lemonade
2 fluid oz.
1(750 ml) bottle sparkling wine (Cava, perhaps)
3 cups ice cubes
Directions:
In a large glass pitcher, mix together the
raspberries, lemon zest, lemonade, and Limoncello. Refrigerate for about two
hours. When ready to serve, slowly add the sparkling wine, stir gently. Fill
glasses with ice cubes and slowly pour sangria over the ice, allowing
raspberries to fall into the glasses.
Stop by the blog often for more tips, news, and tasting ideas!
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