Patio Season

Patio season is upon us.  As the days grow hotter, we are called to the great outdoors and there’s no better way to answer that call than to enjoy a chilled beverage on the deck. The new trend sweeping the nation is to keep things close to home by enjoying an evening in the backyard with friends instead of a night out on the town. Cocktails are a great way to add some fun to your get-togethers and allow you to express some creativity.

One of my favourite cocktails of the moment seems a little strange to be enjoying in the summer heat because this one has a little spice. The spice is provided by using a serrano pepper, but I promise it’s still refreshing. This recipe comes from Kate Taylor, who has a fantastic whole foods blog called Cookie + Kate.  I’ve changed it a tiny bit.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro

½ small lime, juiced

1 small, round slice of serrano pepper (⅛ to ¼ inch thick)

1 ½ ounces tequila

3 ounces pineapple juice

½ ounce simple syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

In a cocktail shaker or glass, muddle the cilantro, lime juice and slice of serrano. Fill the shaker with ice and pour in the tequila, pineapple juice and simple syrup.  Shake well, and strain the mixture over ice in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime round, or try a slice of pineapple and sprig of cilantro on a cocktail pick. If you don’t like the heat, then this can be made without the serrano pepper and it will still taste swell. If you would like to get super fancy, try garnishing your creation with a grilled pineapple ring. It adds a fantastic smoky flavour to the mix.

If you’re in need of some cocktail gear for your next backyard outing, check out the selection at Smith & Best – The Male Room. For those who would like to delve deeper into the world of mixology, we carry a fantastic cocktail guide by Death & Co. Check out their beautiful creations on Instagram. As always, please enjoy your libations responsibly.