Patriotic Potables

In July, Lakers will celebrate our country’s independence with the traditional food and festivities -- fried chicken, potato salad, burgers, hot dogs and fireworks.

             Perhaps you’re looking for something to wash down these delicious foods with, something with a bit more of a kick than sweet iced tea? How about drinks that reflect the spirit of the Fourth of July?

            There are a number of drinks with patriotic names, such as American Beauty, Stars and Stripes and the Firecracker – and they’re good not only on the Fourth, but all summer long.  Some reflect the colors of the flag with flashy red, white and blue layers. Creative mixologists have concocted innovative new drinks utilizing classic American ingredients such as watermelon, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, lemonade and apple pie.

            Yes, that’s right, apple pie.

            Mango’s Bar and Grill’s Apple Pie Shooter has become quite popular with its patrons, according to owner Candice Jones. The drink is a chilled concoction of locally produced D & T’s Apple Pie Mixer and vodka served in a down-home-style mason jar. Jones said it tastes exactly like a liquid apple pie. 

            “You can’t get more American than apple pie,” she said.

            Dan Stone, the bar manager at Jonathan’s Restaurant, recommended “The Patriot” for celebrating the Fourth. This layered, frozen libation gets its blue strata from Blue Curacao. 

            Blue Curacao is a popular ingredient for drinks that need a layer of blue pigmentation. The spirit originated in the Caribbean island of Curacao and exhibits the same crystal-clear azure hue as the tropical waters of its homeland. Spanish settlers planted Valencia oranges on the island, but the fruit never matured to fruition because of the poor soil quality. They later discovered that if the peels of the fruit were allowed to dry in the sun, they released intense aromatic oils and a piquant, orange-flavored bitterness that was delicious in the liqueur. The blue color is imparted artificially, but the liqueur has a captivating bittersweet orange flavor.

            Bartender Zac Stinson at Benjamin’s at the Pointe has special reasons to be patriotic on Independence Day. The nearly 10-year veteran’s first day as a bartender was Sept. 11, 2001, at a Lynchburg pub that had 40 televisions.  As the day’s tragic events unfolded, the restaurant filled with more than 300 customers who had been sent home from work for security reasons. It was up to Stinson and a small staff to handle the busy day.

            “It was the most surreal thing ever,” he recalled.

            This year, Stinson plans to offer a Watermelon Margarita composed of frozen watermelon cubes blended with silver tequila and triple sec. Also on the menu will be a Bomb Pop, a colorful layered drink containing raspberry vodka and liqueur and grenadine. Stinson also plans to offer a red, white and blue Sangria composed of white Sangria, blueberries and strawberries, which he described as “light and refreshing.”

            Those who want to concoct their own all-American cocktails can choose from a variety of ingredients, including the classic, cooling watermelon. The Frozen Watermelon Margarita uses frozen watermelon along with orange-flavored liqueur and tangy lime juice to create a thoroughly cooling and refreshing beverage – perfect for Smith Mountain Lake.

           

Gordon Kendall has more than 20 years of experience in the wine business and is currently the wine, beer and spirits columnist for The Roanoke Times. He teaches wine classes and enjoys educating people on all things related to the industry. If you have an idea for a future Spirits column, please email gmoney007@cox.net.

RECIPES

 

Stars and Stripes

 

1/4 ounce absinthe

1 ounce blueberry vodka

1/4 ounce simple syrup

Splash of lemon juice

Drizzle of raspberry liqueur

Ginger beer

Fresh blueberries

 

Muddle fresh blueberries and add syrup, Absinthe, juice and vodka. Add ice, shake and pour into highball glass. Drizzle with liqueur and top with ginger beer. Garnish with fresh blueberries.

 

Frozen Watermelon Margarita

 

5 cups watermelon, cubed, seeds and rind removed (about one 3-4 pound melon)

1 cup silver Tequila

1/2 cup Cointreau or triple sec

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup sugar

Watermelon slices (optional), for garnish

 

Place cut watermelon in airtight container and put into freezer overnight. Put the frozen watermelon and remaining ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Pour into margarita glasses and garnish with a wedge of watermelon if you like.

 

Yield: 6 servings

 

Guy Fieri’s Fourth of July Cocktail

 

1 ounce watermelon schnapps

1 big splash cranberry juice

1 very thin slice jalapeno or Serrano pepper

1 slice lemon

1 slice lime

1 1/2 ounces tequila

1/4 ounce blue Curacao

1/2 ounce simple syrup

Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional) 

Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass. Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue Curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.

 

American Beauty

 

1 ounce fresh orange juice

1 tablespoon grenadine

1 ounce dry vermouth

1 ounce brandy

1/4 teaspoon white crème de menthe

1/2 ounce port

1 rose petal (optional)

 

Shake the orange juice, grenadine, vermouth, brandy, and crème de menthe with ice then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with the port, and garnish with a rose petal, if desired.

 

Firecracker

 

1 ounce vodka

2 ounces dark rum

½ ounce sloe gin

Orange juice

 

Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice.  Add the vodka, rum and sloe gin. Stir to chill.  Slowly layer the orange juice over the top. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, if desired.