It has been a scorcher this past week here in Vancouver. The combination of the blazing heat plus a hectic week of work and side-projects puts me in a desperate need for a drink… or three. If you can relate, or are just trying to beat the heat, try out my new favourite summer drink- the Grapefruit-Mint Cocktail. This refreshing, sweet and sour cocktail will cheerfully mark the start of your weekend.
Servings: 1 cocktail
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz. mint syrup (recipe below)
- 1 oz. vodka (or more, depending on your day)
- 1 cup crushed ice
- Sprig of mint, for garnish
Mint Syrup (makes enough for 4 drinks):
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup mint, chopped
Directions:
Begin by preparing the mint syrup. In a small pot, add the water and sugar and bring to a boil. Swirl the mixture around rather than stirring as this prevents crystals from forming. Let the mixture boil for 2-3 minutes and swirl occasionally, until the majority of the water evaporates and you are left with a thick syrup. Add the chopped mint and remove from the heat to cool completely.
Crush the ice in a blender and spoon into glasses. Combine the cup of grapefruit juice, 1 oz. vodka, and 1/2 oz. of cooled syrup in a cocktail shaker with a few cubes of ice and shake to combine. Strain and pour over the crushed ice, garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy!