If you live in the Northeast, chances are you gave spring a quick oh-hey-hi-how-are-ya earlier this week before being pounded by a (final?) seasonal snowstorm just one day after. If you’ve managed to pull yourself out of Mother Nature’s sweet spring hello, we have some inspiring sips that might just give you the weekend revival you’re looking for.
The Cocktail Garden is a beautifully illustrated tribute to drinks of every season, from garden-inspired spring cocktails, refreshing iced ones to enjoy under summer’s long sun, tipples to welcome fall’s harvest, and warming nightcaps by the winter fire. Illustrator Adriana Picker and bartender/restaurateur Ed Loveday have come together to create a botanical homage to please palate and palette alike. No question they are serious about their cocktails, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. Below, a look at some of their favorite whimsical creations where freshness and flavor reign supreme (and find out Loveday’s one favorite glass for cocktails!).
From Ed Loveday: “One of my favorite drinks over the past few summers has been the Curry Leaf Paloma. What can I say: grapefruit, tequila, and curry leaf just works! The Paloma is a classic tequila cocktail combining tequila and grapefruit soda. Make sure you find fresh curry leaf, as the dried leaves (although great for cooking) don’t work so well in drinks."
Loveday also loves the Apple Smash: “Two types of citrus really make this drink pop, plus the subtle aniseed quality from the Thai basil gives this drink a really appealing freshness. Both the Curry Leaf Paloma and the Apple Smash would work equally well in a tall glass or a large wineglass with plenty of ice. It may come as a bit of a surprise, but my favorite glass for cocktails at the moment is a simple wineglass. It’s perfect for spritzy, light, low-alcohol aperitifs, either over ice or neat. The shape of the glass also accentuates the aromatics of the garnish...and most people will have at least one or two lying around in their kitchen!"
From Adriana Picker: “My favorite cocktail from the book is the For Adriana, which is served in a highball or tall glass. Ed hilariously named this cocktail for me because when we were developing the book, I made a diva request to have lychees included in a recipe, simply because I really wanted to draw them. Ed graciously included them in this recipe, with just a small remark about how tacky and ’90s a mixed drink with lychees in it is. Fortuitously, he also popped dragonfruit in the mix, opening my eyes to my new favorite thing to draw! In the end, there was not a single lychee illustrated in this book, and my namesake is a delicious cocktail.”
What drink are you most looking forward to in the warmer months ahead? Share them with us below!
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