Orange Mint Mojito
This recipe uses the orange mint that I've been growing, but regular mint would work too if that's all you have.
5-6 fresh orange mint leaves
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1/4 orange, cut into wedges
2 tablespoons white sugar
ice cubes
2 ounces white rum
club soda
Place mint, lime wedges, orange wedges and sugar in a glass and muddle until the the citrus juices are released and the sugar is dissolved. Don't rush this step or your finished drink won't be as good. Fill the glass with ice. Pour rum over the ice and top with soda. You can do anywhere from just a splash of soda to a 1/2 cup depending on how strong you like it. I tend to like a little more soda, but I'm also a bit of a lightweight.
Madagascar Sunrise
This drink gets its name from the combo of vanilla vodka and citrus. It doesn't taste strongly of any of its individual ingredients. It is just sweet, light and fruity. Some of my favorite adjectives!
1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/2 ounce orange liqueur
2 ounces lemon juice
1/2 to 1 ounce lavender simple syrup, to taste (recipe follows)
In a shaker, combine all ingredients with ice and shake until well combined. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon twist or small sprig of lavender.
Lavender Simple Syrup
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
3 tablespoons dried or fresh lavender buds (Note: You can use either fresh or dried lavender. It will be less strong with fresh)
Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until all sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add the lavender. Let lavender steep in the sugar mixture until cool, then strain to remove the buds. Store in the refrigerator for about a month.
Syrup can also be used to sweeten tea or lemonade. It doesn't taste overly strongly of lavender to don't worry about overpowering your drinks. It just adds a nice floral element to the background of whatever you are making.
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