Don't try too hard

I am by no means a cosmo connoisseur nor would I consider myself a person that makes a great mixed drink of any kind; however I appreciate one. Especially on these last days of summer, before football/beer season starts, who doesn't appreciate a well concocted mixed martini?

One of my favorite things of summer are happy hours with a great cocktail menu. Something different and flashy to fill your glass with instead of your usual do-it-yourself vodka tonic. But then there are those restaurants or bars-very few of them but you know them- that have the most ridiculously expensive (even at happy hour) and unappetizing martinis. They're just trying too hard. Take for instance a restaurant the bf and I will be visiting tonight, which shall remain nameless- their cocktail menu features:

-Wasabi and Amaretto sour $9.00 Amaretto di Saronno, lime, Angostura, sugar
and wasabi paste topped with wasabi almonds
-Lychee and roses $11.00Bombay Sapphire, rose petals, lime and lychee juice
-Passion fruit and almond $10.00Martell cognac, Amaretto di Saronno, passion fruit puree’, almond and cardamon seeds

Seriously? Who enjoys seeds in their martini? And Wasabi paste? (pictured above) Blech, nasty.

So after looking at that menu, I decided to write about a more appropriate cocktail menu. Here are some of my favorite summer cocktails:

-Acai of Relief (Commissary): Absolut Berri Acai Vodka, Blueberries, Pom Juice, Sprite
& Lemon...on the rocks
-Ruby Slipper (Commissary): Absolute Ruby Red, Triple Sec,
Passion Fruit Juice & Pom Juice...straight up
-The Clementine (Founding Farmers): A delicious blend of fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, agave nectar and Siembra Azul Reposado Tequila that has been infused with Clementines and Fresno chiles. Garnished with a flamed orange twist.
-Basil Bell (Acadiana): Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, muddled basil, fresh lime, simple syrup and a splash of lemon-lime soda
-Salty Dog(Farmer and Fishers): Cap Rock Organic Vodka and grapefruit juice served on the rocks with a salted rim

See? These are delicious, refreshing and I can pronounce every ingredient. So cheers to this beautiful weekend everyone!