Long Winter Cocktail {ReDux}

This month for the Recipe ReDux challenge, we were given the broad category of beverages: Beverages Are Hot - That which is served in a mug, glass, or stein is becoming just as interesting as what’s on the plate. New cocktail-only blogs are emerging. Pinners are cooking with their Keurig K-cups. Hot beverages have gone way beyond hot cocoa. Beverages are in! Whether you’re serving something hot or cool, kid-friendly or happy hour worthy, show us your healthier drink.

I haven't tried cooking with a Keurig, but it does sound intriguing. I am more likely to play around with smoothie flavours or warm beverages (coffee, tea, hot cocoa). Interestingly, I've been trying to find a signature cocktail that I enjoy, so that I can have a 'usual' order and know what I'm getting. Currently, I tend to choose red wine if I'm having an alcoholic beverage, and I can admit to enjoying a cold beer on a hot day. Since we're still in the middle of winter, I tend to think of warm beverages, such as the winter julep we served at a friend's house recently (peppermint tea, bourbon, brown sugar simple syrup, and fresh mint) or the fruity tea soda beverage an intern found with carbonated water and flavoured tea.

For this challenge I wanted to use a fresh fruit to help me dream of summer and I was reminded of a beverage we tried in Finland called Long Drink.

For this Long Winter Cocktail you will require:

• 1/4 - 1/3 of a cup fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice (from 1 grapefruit)
• 1 Tbsp coarse sugar 
• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 cup club soda
• ice cubes (optional)

Makes 2 beverages
To prepare:
1) Wash and scrub your grapefruit. Using a zester, knife, or vegetable peeler remove peel for your garnish attempting to go the diameter of the fruit 2-4 times. Wrap the zest or peel around a straw or chopstick to help form a curl.
2) Juice your grapefruit with a hand juicer, fork, or knife, and remove any seeds.
3) Place your sugar on a plate. Moisten the rims of your glasses with what remains of your grapefruit. Dip the rim in the sugar and shake off excess.
4) Divide the grapefruit juice into your glasses, pour 1 oz of gin into each and top with 1/4 cup of club soda. Garnish with your zest or peel and an ice cube or two (optional) and enjoy while thinking about walking along a sandy beach!

Cheers,
Steph Langdon, RD
something nutrishus counselling & coaching
www.nutrishus.com 

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