Entertaining With Eco-Friendly Cocktails

Summer has officially arrived! Now is a great time to enjoy outdoor living  and it’s also a great time to entertain!

So, you’re having a barbeque, inviting a few friends to enjoy the slightly cool late spring evening with you. You’ve got your organic grass-fed meat, some tasty in-season organic veggies and a hot grill all set to go. But there’s one more thing to top off your fabulous gathering…some delicious, organic cocktails!  Here are a few ideas for in-season, organic (and yummy!) drinks to share with your friends. (Please drink responsibly, and ALWAYS designate a driver!!)

First of all, let’s talk about organic liquor. Lately there has been an interest in organically prepared liquor, and you will likely be able to find a number of these in your favorite liquor store.

Square One Organic Vodka has become one of the most widely available organic liquors, with their trademark square glass bottle. The vodka itself is distilled from organically grown North Dakota rye, with the byproducts being re-used as grain feed for dairy cattle. The bottle is clear, not frosted, to avoid using caustic chemicals, and the label is easily peeled off and made from sustainably grown and renewable sources like bamboo and cotton. It also happens to be delicious, and pairs well with all your favorite organic mixers!

If you’re more of a tequila person, try 4Copas Organic Tequila, sold in hand-blown glass bottles crafted by local Jalisco artisans.  The tequila is made from 100% organic blue agave in a “green” distillery, and available in four different types.

Lastly, Papaguayo Organic Rum is made from organic sugar cane, grown and harvested by fairly paid family workers in Paraguay. It is fabulous in any and all recipes that call for light rum.

Some organic cocktail recipes (makes one serving each):

Green Mojito Madness:

1 organic lime (for juicing)
2 oz. Papguayo Organic Light Rum
2 oz. club soda or seltzer
Crushed ice
4 organic mint leaves, plus sprig of mint for garnish
1 tsp. organic cane sugar

Put mint leaves into glass. Juice lime over mint leaves, add sugar and muddle. Add crushed ice.

Pour rum and club soda over muddled mixture, top off with mint sprig for garnish, and enjoy!

Peachy Keen Frozen Margarita:

1 cup ice
2 oz. 4Copas Organic Tequila
¼ oz. Organic lime juice (preferably fresh squeezed!)
1 skinned, pitted fresh organic peach (May is peach season in Arizona!)

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into margarita glass, and garnish with a sprig of fresh organic mint. Yum!

A (Pine)apple a day keeps the doctor away!

1 ½ oz. organic pineapple juice
2 oz. Square One Organic Vodka
½ oz freshly squeezed organic lime juice
Wedges of fresh organic pineapple (for garnish)
Ice

Shake all ingredients (except pineapple wedges) with ice in cocktail shaker until chilled (or mix back and forth in two glasses if you don’t have a shaker on hand).  Add a couple of wedges of fresh organic pineapple for garnish.

Enjoy!