Basic Cocktails: Sours

Sour cocktails are drinks with a sour (typically citrus) component, a sweet (simple syrup, triple sec, etc.), some type of liquor, and possibly other additions. But the first three will give you a sour. These drinks are excellent for learning how a small variation in ratios yields a very different result. Even a 1/4 ounce more or less will effect the final product. Here are three sours you can play with to make YOUR favorite version. The amounts I provide are starting points.


Margarita
2 oz silver/plata/white tequila.
1 oz triple sec
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
kosher salt in a small dish for garnish (optional)
lime wedge on rim so recipient can taste, and add the extra bit of lime juice or drink it as is.

• Squeeze lime juice, add to shaker, and use expelled lime to rim the outside of the glass(es) with juice.
• Rotate the limed glass into the salt or lightly touch it to the salt about 1/2 way around. 
• Add the remaining ingredients to the shaker with ice. 
• Shake vigorously and strain into the glass. Add ice to the glass if you want it on the rocks (I do). 
• Play "Tequila" while shaking 

Notes: you can sub out Cointreau for the triple sec. It will be sweeter unless  you reduce its volume. Reposado tequila will work but give you a very different taste.


Lemon Drop (thanks for reminding me how good these are, Sandy!)
2 oz citrus vodka such as Absolute Citron
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup (or 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar)
1 lemon wedge/wheel for garnish

• Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. If using sugar, mix it with liquid ingredients before adding ice to help it dissolve. 
• Some like to rim the glass with confectioners sugar. I do not. Garnish with lemon wheel or wedge. 

Cosmopolitan
1 1/2 oz citrus vodka
1 oz triple sec
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/4 oz cranberry juice cocktail for color
lime wedge or wheel for garnish

• Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add garnish. 
• Play Sex and the City theme while shaking to complete the scene. 

Apple and Onion Soup

Simple and delicious twist on French Onion Soup. Using an apple peeler/corer/slicer makes the apple slices a snap.  I toast some sourdough with Parmesan shavings on top and serve this with the soup. any cheese will do. You can add some chopped fresh sage at the end if you have some.

Ingredients
2 tbsp butter
3 medium onions, sliced thin
3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch
6 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 3/4 cups low sodium beef broth
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 bay leaf

Heat the butter in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and apples and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Stir into the butter and cook until the onions and apples are caramelized (deep brown). -- about 30 minutes. Bottom of pot may get some crust which is fine.
Stir in the broths, wine and bay leave. Bring to boil and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 20 minutes.  Discard the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Top with anything that suits your fancy. Crumbled bacon, cheese (cheddar or Gruyere), and broil if you feel like going to the trouble. You can just serve it without the cheesy top if you want to simplify it. Still tasty.

Watermelon Margarita

3 oz watermelon juice*
2 oz blanco tequila
1/2 oz lime juice or more to taste
1/4 jalapeno or fresno pepper infused vodka* (optional)
watermelon chunk for garnish

Mix in glass and add ice or us a shaker and strain into cocktail glass.
Glasses may be rimmed with salt.

Watermelon Juice
You can cut the red part out of the water melon in large chunks, blend and strain.
You can cut out the red part of the watermelon and juice that if you have a juicer.
You can slice the watermelon into pieces and juice the rind with the red part.

Hot Vodka
Slice the one pepper (only need a few rings) into mason jar.  Add about 8 oz of vodka and let sit for a few hours. Strain into a small stoppered bottle. Keeps for about a month or longer, but loses some kick over time.

You could probably add some fresh mint to this and have good results.