We all know we should be including fruits and vegetables at every meal. And shouldn’t Cocktail Hour also be a chance to sneak more plants into your diet? Recently we’ve put in some grueling hours recipe testing fruit & vegetable friendly cocktails and we’re happy to share some of our findings with you here.

The biggest winner of this round was the Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita. Everybody liked the spicy/sweet combo, plus it was a delightful frothy pink. We infused some tequila with sliced fresh Jalapeños, and then we could adjust the spiciness level for each Marg by cutting the infused tequila with some plain tequila as requested.

We also recipe-tested a Peach Bourbon Smash, a Rosemary Bees Knees, and a Blueberry Moscow Mule. All were delicious and we’re going to be enjoying more again this weekend.

Cheers!

Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita

Infuse 1 sliced Jalapeño in 2 shots of tequila for 1 hour, then remove the Jalapeño (you can save it for garnishing).

In a mason jar (or a blender), mix 2 parts Lime juice to 1 part Agave syrup, 1 shot tequila (a straight shot of the infused tequila is very spicy!),  and several good-sized chunks of Watermelon. Use an immersion blender to blend fully.

Use Lime juice to salt your glass, then add ice, and pour in your margarita. Garnish with a Jalapeño slice and a Watermelon slice.

We also highly recommend Cucumber Margaritas, which are really refreshing and not spicy at all.

Peach Bourbon Smash

In a shaker, muddle 2 quarters of a Lemon, a handful of Apple Mint leaves, half a ripe Peach, and 2 Tablespoons of Honey with 2 shots of bourbon. Shake.

Taste for desired sweetness and add more Honey as needed.

Pour over ice and cut with seltzer water as desired. Garnish each with a slice of Peach and a Mint sprig.

Makes 2 drinks.

Rosemary Bees Knees

Make a Honey syrup that’s 1:1 Honey and hot water. Add a good-sized sprig of fresh Rosemary and let steep for an hour, then remove the Rosemary.

Optional: Use a micro plane to zest the Lemons and add the Lemon zest to 1/4 cup of sugar. Combine thoroughly.

In a shaker, combine equal parts Rosemary Honey syrup, fresh-squeezed Lemon juice, and gin and shake.

Use Lemon juice to rim the glasses and then dip them in sugar (ideally, the Lemon zest sugar you made before you squeezed the Lemons). Add ice and pour in your drinks. Garnish each with a sprig of Rosemary.

Blueberry Moscow Mule

In a shaker, muddle 2 quartered Limes, a handful of Apple Mint leaves, and 1/4 cup of Blueberries with 1 shot of vodka. Add 6 oz. of Ginger Beer and shake.

Pour over ice and garnish with Apple mint and Blueberries.

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Friday!