So this past weekend was one of the best.... ever. I was in NYC last week for work and decided to take off Friday to enjoy the amazing weather and a long weekend. Brad told me he had a work dinner with some clients that we had to go to, so I got all dressed up and he suggested stopping at Denmark on High (one of our all time favorite cocktail spots in the Short North) beforehand. Little did I know I was walking into my surprise birthday party thrown by him and my best friend Kelsey. Shocked was an understatement! So many of my friends and family came out to celebrate with me. It was an amazing night, and I cannot thank the two of them enough.
Going back to work today after such a great weekend was rough, so I decided to come up with a new cocktail recipe to celebrate Monday being over and to take the edge off of another long week! I call this The Spicy Strawberry and let me warn you.... it's EXTREMELY spicy! I enjoyed one on my patio tonight! I tried out a new gin that my future brother-in-law, Paul, got me for my birthday. New Riff takes their Kentucky Wild Gin as a base and ages it for seven months in their used O.K.I. Bourbon barrels. The result is a pretty tasty gin-bourbon blended taste. Check out the recipe below and make one yourself!
**To make Serrano-infused simple syrup bring ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water to boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and turn down heat. Add slices of Serrano peppers and simmer for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove and allow to cool.**
Cheers to Martini Monday!
- 1.5 oz bourbon-barreled gin
- 0.5 oz aperol
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz Serrano-infused simple syrup
- 3-4 strawberry slices
- extra Serrano slices
- Add all ingredients to a shaker.
- Muddle strawberries and Serrano slices (optional depending on how spicy you want it) in liquid.
- Add ice.
- Shake for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Top with more pepper slices.
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