When most people think of tailgating they think of drinking. And most specifically, drinking beer.
Don’t get me wrong, I love beer. I love cheap beer, good beer, craft beer, macro beer, import beer, mexican beer, micro beer, homebrewed beer and every kind of beer that exists. I really do. But Thursdays here at Inside Tailgating we are trying to highlights spirits that you can use at your tailgate in lieu of beer. Or maybe, in addition to beer.
Our good friends at A History Of Drinking are once again sharing us some of their best cocktails. Make sure to check out their site for additional details, information and stories.
A History Of Drinking has even called vodka the “The Perennial Summer Spirit”. I think the following will show why:
The Hang O-ver
by: Christopher Hopkins
- 1.5 oz Hangar One Vodka
- 0.75 oz Strawberry Infused Martini Blanco
- 0.5 oz Aperol
- 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.75 oz Lemon Verbena Syrup
- Garnish: a verbena sprig and atomized grapefruit bitters
Method: Combine all ingredients (except garnish) in a shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish and serve.
The Ruby Slipper
by: Deep Eddy Vodka
- 2.0 oz Deep Eddy Ruby Red
- 1.0 oz Elderflower Liqueur (e.g., St. Germain)
- 1.0 oz Club Soda
Method: In a shaker, combine the Ruby Red with the elderflower liqueur and top with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Add the club soda and serve.
Purity Martini
recipe courtesy of Purity Vodka
- 3 oz Purity Vodka
- 1 oz water(Use less water if using fragile ice.)
Glass: Cocktail or Martini
Garnish: None
Stir over ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. No garnish.
Beluga Honey
recipe courtesy of Beluga Vodka
- 1 1/2 oz Beluga Noble Russian Vodka
- 1 tspn sugar syrup
- 1 1/2 tspn honey syrup
- 3 tspn passion fruit puree
- 4 thin slices of lime
Glass: Rocks or Old Fashioned
Garnish: half a passion fruit
Muddle slices of lime in a glass. Add ice along with syrups, Beluga Noble Russian Vodka and passion fruit puree. Stir well and serve garnished with half a passion fruit.
Ketel One Old-Fashioned
- 1.5 oz. Ketel One Vodka
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes orange bitters
In the bottom of a rocks glass, soak the sugar cube in the orange bitters and lightly muddle. Add Ketel One and ice and slowly stir so the dilution happens slowly. Once the sugar has been dissolved, squeeze the oils from a wide strip of orange peel across the surface of the drink, and garnish the drink with the peel.
