Vodka

The Pink Panther

05.22.15

The Pink Panther // Grapefruit Rosemary Martini // The Shared SipOk, so naming cocktails may not be my strongest skill. But, the pink of this drink reminded me of the iconic Pink Panther and it stuck. Luckily, the deliciousness of this cocktail makes up for the silly name.

Grapefruit season is coming to an end in most places, but we’re spoiled here in California as we can basically get any produce we want at practically any time of the year. I’m really looking forward to creating cocktails with my summer favorites—rhubarb, strawberries and melons are on the top of my list—but I wanted to sneak in one last grapefruit-based cocktail while I could get away with it.

The Pink Panther // Grapefruit Rosemary Martini // The Shared SipThis drink stands out for two reasons: 1. The use of this wonderful grapefruit vodka from Heritage Distilling (you can read more about how I came to know them over here). See how the bottle is less than half full? That’s because I made this cocktail for a family dinner last weekend and it was a total hit. My mom was drinking the vodka neat by the end of the night, so that alone should speak for itself. And 2. The use of a rosemary simple syrup. Yep, I’m still on my rosemary kick. The herb just can do no wrong. It adds so much depth and interest to citrus cocktails that can otherwise be a little snoozeworthy. I recommend keeping some on hand in your own kitchen if you don’t already.

The Pink Panther // Grapefruit Rosemary Martini // The Shared SipThis cocktail is easy enough for a Tuesday, but interesting enough for a party. There is no wrong time for The Pink Panther.

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The Pink Panther
makes 2 cocktails

  • 3 oz Heritage Grapefruit Vodka
  • 2.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz rosemary simple syrup; recipe follows

Assembly
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until very cold, about 20 seconds. Strain into a coupe, martini glass, flute or similar. Garnish with fresh rosemary.

Rosemary Simple Syrup

Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 3-5 sprigs of rosemary in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let steep for an hour or more. Makes about 2 cups. Store in the fridge; should keep for at least 2 weeks.

The Pink Panther // Grapefruit Rosemary Martini // The Shared Sip

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Sip + Skim
my favorite finds this week, boozy and otherwise

  • I recently discovered Stella Spoils, a daily “newsletter” that is really anything but—it’s more of a curated digest of cool stuff. Think: eye-candy Instagram accounts, an interesting read, one must-have product and a song you would probably never discover on your own.
  • This summer, I really want to try to grow—and not kill—my own herbs. Those things get expensive! I’m bookmarking this guide from Well & Good to make the journey to herbdom a little easier.
  • If you aren’t already familiar with the Slow Movement, read this Kinfolk interview with Carl Honore, a pioneer in the area. In light of how “busy” everyone is (eyeroll), it’s so refreshing to hear and read about people who are trying to bring lightness and peace to everyday life. “Human beings need moments of silence and solitude—to rest and recharge; to think deeply and creatively; to look inside and confront the big questions: Who am I? How do I fit into the world? What is the meaning of life?”
  • The New York Times exposé on nail salons was so fascinating, and definitely has me thinking I may need to reconsider those $20 pedicures I’ve become addicted to.
  • Elizabeth Gilbert is so much more than the author of Eat, Pray, Love—which has sadly given her a negative rep as a cheesy chick-lit writer. In reality, she’s incredibly funny, smart, gracious and humble, and I cannot wait for her new book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear to come out this fall. In the meantime, follow her on Facebook (seriously!)—her posts are so thoughtful and have made many of my days.
  • Last weekend I finally made it out to St. George Spirits distillery over in Alameda and had the best time. The tour was so interesting and the tastings were so delicious. I snagged a bottle of their Absinthe, and a few days later Kyle surprised me with a bottle of their Nola Coffee Liqueur (aww). I guess I was pretty vocal about how damn tasty it was when I sampled it! That is definitely going in my morning coffee on Saturday mornings, don’t mind if I do.

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